Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt

For the record, what is your name? Marc - "Buddman" Budd Susan - “Tuttie" Budd Where were you born, and where did you grow up? Marc - Los Angeles, California, in the good old days. My parents got some strange idea that South Florida was the place to be, swimming pools, movie stars...oops, that's Beverly Hills. Anyhow, they dragged us down to Coral Gables, Florida, which is where I lived till it was time to go off to the brain factory, errr, college.

Susan - Born in North Hampton, Massachusetts and grew up in East Longmeadow, Mass. Moved to Florida when I was nine (St. Pete) and mainly lived in St Pete until I married Marc in 2002. I did live in Atlanta when I was 21 and a few years in Gainesville, Florida in the early 90’s.

What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don't mind people knowing about?
Marc - Being raised in the '60s, there was a big emphasis on science. I loved science and wanted to be a scientist and Cosmonaut (Since Russia had them prior to Astronauts and Cosmonauts sounded very distinguished.) Also liked dinosaurs and the old black and white horror films. As a kid, I would force myself to stay up till 11:30 to watch Creature Features, which had all the old, horror movies. I was also really into music and tried to take guitar lessons when I was 10, but lacked discipline and gave it up.

Susan - I loved watching Dr. Paul Barer on Saturday mornings growing up, where I was introduced to Godzilla, King Kong, and all the classic horror films. (Many Tampans will know exactly who I’m talking about). Music was really big in my house; no one played instruments; however, we were all clowns when our favorite pop song came on the radio. My sisters and I could really break down more than a few songs. For instance, does anybody remember “Run Joey Run” by David Geddes? We rocked that song! And I’ll add that I was a member of the Bee Gees' fan club.

Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you play…
Marc - At the tender age of 30 I realized if you set your mind to it, you could really accomplish just about anything (that doesn't violate basic principles of physics) So, I decided I'd learn to play bass. I knew so many good guitarists, I figured guitarists, like lawyers, "who needs another one?" I taught myself the basics, then took lessons to hone my skills. So, I play bass, guitar and some singing (not just in the shower!) I've formed several “garage bands” and really, really love music. Whether playing, listening or watching.

Susan - I don’t play instruments, I just sit in the computer room trying to watch “The Mighty Boosh” while Marc and his buddies shake the walls in the next room.

What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
Marc - Hmmm....One is graduating college. Paying back all the loans myself in less than 20 years was also big. The other was I “staved” off marriage until I was 39. My wife and I wanted to do something different. We went to Vegas, had about 25 friends come join us. We got married on Halloween at high noon, by an Elvis impersonator. It was great! BTW, neither of us were Elvis fans (but are huge Red Elvises fans).

Susan - He “staved” off marriage? Oh please! Tell me another one. I’m proud of my kids (pets really), Mojo our Chow Chow, Bella our not so smart parrot and our other parrot Spike, who NEVER shuts up! There is nothing like waking up in the morning only to be greeted by Spike saying “What’s up bitch?” AHHH kids.

What are your favorite movies?
Marc - "Blazing Saddles," any Mel Brooks flicks, "The Usual Suspects," "Dr. Strangelove," The Jay and Silent Bob movies, all the old, classic horror films with Lon Chaney, Boris Karloff, Bella Lugosi, Vincent Price, etc.

Susan - By far my favorite is "Reservoir Dogs," the 1st "Terminator," "Saturday Night Fever," "Grease," many horror flicks (to many to mention) and "In Cold Blood" (the original).

Do you have any favorite books?
Marc - Being a techie, I get stuck reading lots of manuals and boring stuff. Thus it's hard for me to do recreational reading. However I do enjoy biographies that run the gamut from famous people to working class dogs, and of course, music related biogs. Some of the writers I enjoy are F. Scott Fitzgerald, Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur C. Clarke, Stephen King, Carl Hiaasen and Ernest Hemmingway.

Susa - "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote is my favorite, I think I have read it about five times. Other favorites are true crime books and biographies and autobiographies. I’m currently reading “Freak Unique” by Pete Burns from the band Dead or Alive.

What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
Marc - Since music is such a big part of my life, it's hard to narrow down, but I'll give it a shot. Pretty much raised on classic rock, anything from 1964-1979, including but not limited to Tom Petty, The Stones, Led Zeppelin, Cream, The Cult, Beatles, Steely Dan, Robin Trower, Frank Marino, Rory Gallagher, Chris Duarte, Stevie Wonder, DEVO, Buckwheat Zydeco, Dread Zeppelin, Red Elvises, Dash Rip Rock, Ramones, Dire Straits, Joe Bonamassa, Jeff Beck, REM, Doors, The Who, CCR, CSN and sometimes Y, Johnny Cash, Hank Willaims Sr. I am a big supporter of LOCAL MUSIC, SUPPORT INDIE MUSIC!!

Susan - I can say I have been a long time fan of the J. Geils Band, they ROCK! I grew up in the 80’s so I was big into punk and alternative music. The Damned, Siouxie and The Banshees, The Clash, The Ramones, Sister of Mercy, REM, and all that good stuff.

When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red Elvises?
Marc - I recall hearing about them in late 90's. I want to say a buddy saw a short clip of them on "Melrose Place" (ok, busted, I watched MP) and mentioned it. The name stuck out. In early 2001 I saw their name on the marquee of Skipper’s Smokehouse. We showed up an hour before the show and couldn’t find a parking space I dropped my wife off and she was told there were no more tickets. We were seriously bummed. Later that year they came back. This time we got there a little earlier, but again had no tickets. As we were waiting, it got very dark and started lightning/thundering. Skipper’s is a great venue, but it's outdoors, surrounded by oak trees, which are lightning magnets. We wanted to stay, but were afraid of the pending weather. In early 2002 they came back to Skipper’s. This time we got tickets in advance and arrived much earlier. We sat in the front row and thought we had the best seats in the house....until they came out.The fans swarmed the “dance floor” in front of the stage, and suddenly we were about 14 rows back... However we were blown away. We danced the entire show! It was a great musical happening, something I'll never forget.

Susan - I remember hearing about them on a very early MTV show called “London Calling” or something like that and this is the 80’s. The band was featured on the show and have remembered them ever since. They had just come over to the U.S. from their homeland and they all looked like skinny little Russian kids. We always heard about them coming to Skipper’s and never went to see them. Marc came home one day and said he was finally able to score tickets and the rest is history.

About how many times have you seen them?
Marc - You can say we were hooked and committed to making sure we'd see them any time they are in the area. So far we've seen them 12 times. Each time we try to bring newbies to share the musical joy. So far we've “converted” about 15 fans. One time during a show near Christmas time, we brought my good friend, his wife and her parents. They liked it so much, they each bought a shirt and several CDs, just in time for Christmas...

Susan - Marc says he saw them 12 times so that means I saw them 13 times. One [Friday night] show was cancelled almost at the last minute and rescheduled for the Sunday. Anyway, Marc was on call and had to work so I rocked out by myself, and added more t-shirts to the collection.
Marc - She always rubs that in, that she saw one more show than me!

What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
Marc - They are extremely talented, creative, multifaceted entertainers. They always appear to love what they do and they whip the audience into a frenzy. Nobody else has taken Dick Dale style surf music, thrown in some traditional Russian folk music filled with Gypsy music scales and added some Elvis mystique to boot. You can't ask for a more eclectic, well rounded musical package. Oh, and don't forget the fabulous wardrobe. The Red Elvises have made me prouder of my Russian Heritage that had to be repressed during the Cold War.

Susan - The energy they have, and it’s the same at EVERY freakin’ show! Just non-stop rock-n-roll! And the clothes, I could go on all night!

What’s the farthest you’ve traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
Marc - It wasn't all that far, but the story is good. We were at a wedding on Pass A Grille Beach, Florida, approximately 70 miles away. We had been to a show approximately 10 days prior to the wedding and they announced a special unannounced show (I know that's a contradiction, but it wasn't on the web site or in print at the time). It was at a place called Carlies approximately 35 miles north of where the wedding was at. The wedding started to drag on, so I said to my wife..."how 'bout we blow this joint and see if we can find Carlies and see our Favorite Band?" Her reply? "hell yeah." We were able to find the venue but when we got there they stated they were sold out. We were about leave when the door guy said, "hell, we can squeeze you guys in, and heck, you all dressed up." (Insert a collective "woo hoo!" We got in and went right up and danced the entire night.

Susan - Same as above, talk about being in the right place and the right time. We always see them together.

Which show is your favorite of the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
Marc - I can't nail that one down, they have all been great. I can say there was a time at Skipper’s that we got to speak with Oleg-Schramm, before the show for about 20 minutes. He had us in stitches talking about life in Venice and tales of the people that live there. He did several impersonations of said characters and was quite good at it. He was sincere and very candid, great guy, I tell ya. Also got to talk to Adam for a few minutes too, he is much taller in person.

Susan-I haven’t really met any of the band members, my husband loves doing all that stuff. Every show has been a great one.

Any other standout, all time great memories of shows you’ve seen so far?
Marc - Probably the first time we saw them perform "Closet Disco Dancer." The whole place was doing the Travolta arm, finger thing, in unison. Also, one time they did a version of "Wicked Game" and Igor was really doing a great job, but almost burst out in laughter while singing, as he was being very dramatic. You couldn't help but laugh at the parody and his gestures!

Susan - Learning the lyrics to "A Kegga Beer and Potato Chips." You see I’m Scottish and Catholic so that combination right there is like the Blood and Body of Christ himself. You just can’t beat that! I guess you can say it’s a religious experience.
Marc – AMEN!

What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
Marc - Another tough one, but..."Surfing in Siberia," "Cosmonaut Petrov" (go figure), "A Kegga Beer and Potato Chips."

Susan - "Kegga Beer…" and "Belly Dance" sounds awesome rolling down I-275 with the windows down and the music turned way up.

What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
Marc - I think they are doing a great job, so why mess with a good formula. Just want to say thanks for all the good times and memories and the songs sound really good when I sing them in the shower, (my wife may argue that..) Keep coming back to Florida and we'll be there, with more "converts" too.

Susan - How about a tour film? It would be neat to see the more personal side to them. My husband sings their songs in the shower? Is that what that noise is? He'd better watch it, he could get sued!
Marc – another shot to the fragile male ego…

Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to all the fans?
Marc - Red Elvises fans are a special breed. We are proud to be part of this gang and hope to meet more of you out there to share stories and tales of Our Favorite Band!

Susan - You will never experience a band like this one. Never! They will live on so you better see them before you die.