Fan of the Month!
Interviewed by Kayt
Our Fan of the Month for June is a college student in Tucson, Arizona who is willing to put his mileage where his musical devotion is, when it comes to Red Elvises. By car, plane and even Vespa scooter, this guy will make it to the show! Join me in welcoming Josh as our June Red Elvises Fan of the Month!
For the record, what is your name?
Two syllables, Josh White
Where were you born, and where did you grow up?
Born in Virginia, grew up all over the US, Ohio, Colorado, Los Angeles, Phoenix. I think my family just kept moving to where it was hotter and hotter. It's hard to beat Phoenix so we stayed there. The last eight years I have been a college student in very sexy Tucson, Arizona.
What were your main interests, entertainment and otherwise, growing up? Any obsessions you don't mind people knowing about?
I am a traveler. If it involves flying or driving some long distance I am there. Especially if there are beaches, new cultures, or Red Elvises. I am also a computer nerd, that was one of my passions growing up. Thank god (Bill Gates) I was a terrible computer nerd, otherwise I would have no skills to speak of, unless you consider my mythical ability to beat anyone's best time on Minesweeper a skill. I am also obsessed with (my favorite foods are) cheese and tequila.
Tell us about your musical endeavors and any musical instruments you
play…
Since I was about nine years old I have been playing the drums in school bands and later in some rock/punk/jazz bands. Playing timpani and marimbas in the symphonic band really helped me to boost my nerd level in junior high. I actually hooked up the first few times with girls at band trips and band camp!
The last and greatest rock band I played for was the hard drinking Vinyl Messiah. We were a musical take on what would have happened to rock if it had turned right at Elvis instead of the drug induced left turn at the Beatles. I thought we had an original idea, then I saw the Red Elvises. I also play some piano, harmonica, guitar and am learning how to sing!
What accomplishments are you most proud of at this point in your life?
I've managed to set up and go on three long Europe trips, which are some of my crowning achievements and favorite memories. I also do Gov. Arnold, Christopher Walken, and about ten other accents. Those I am proud of too.
I also worked some damn cool jobs. The best was bouncer at the Buffet Bar in Tucson. It is not a "food" buffet but they do have some good beef jerky, pickled eggs, and hot dogs. Mostly they serve Coors Original on tap, and heavily poured and cheap mixed drinks. Any visitor to this town should experience the place. The Bar has been around since the '30s (it pretty much opened the day prohibition ended) and I don't think it has changed at all since then. I am one of the few that has had the privilege to work there!
What are your favorite movies?
I like Wes Anderson movies, most notably "The Royal Tenenbaums" and "The Life Aquatic" with Steve Zissou. Also "Mallrats" and "Clerks" by Kevin Smith. I think in my sophomore year in college I drank a six pack and watched "Mallrats" with my roommates an average of four nights a week. Lastly I like "Die Hard" and "Total Recall," the best action flicks ever!
Do you have any favorite books?
"Where the Wild Things Are" and "Lord of the Rings" were my favorites up through high school. I really liked "Even Cowgirls Get the Blues" and "American Gods" recently. Anything that has a sense of humor is okay by me.
What music are you into, in addition to Red Elvises?
My favorites are Beck, Sublime, Floyd, Billy Joel, The Beatles and the Pharcyde. Really though, there isn't much that I don't like. Notably I don't like modern country and pop rap.
When, where, how, etc. did you first hear and experience Red
Elvises?
I was working as a bouncer at Plush Bar in Tucson in the back room. I had never heard of them before so I decided to get the doorman spot by the stage. I sat down, and watched the best show ever! I was paid to watch Red Elvises and drink Red Bulls and it was glorious. Igor gave me a free poster which to this day is the only poster in my bedroom. It hangs over my TV and two favorite bottles of tequila.
About how many times have you seen them?
Funny you ask, I wrote down all the shows I have been to just the other day. My first show was in 2004, since then I have seen them eight times in three cities. I plan to make it out to San Diego or Santa Monica to catch them again in July as well!
What is it about Red Elvises that draws you to them, that you like the most?
I think I respect the band most of all. What other bands have toured this much? They are consistently playing shows, making albums, and kicking ass. They, in my opinion, are the hardest working band out there and I respect that a lot.
The next reason is the show. They bring it every time. Oleg, the giant balalaika and raspy voice. Very sexy keyboard riffs and dancing of Elena. Adam and his never ending drum solo, and of course Igor's booming voice and spin moves. It's on every time the Elvises are in town, and each time they show I have a larger group of friends that can't wait to come see them. My third reason is they are just funny and know how to work an audience and make a CD, the music makes me laugh, smile, and cry! Mostly just laugh and smile though.
What's the farthest you've traveled to see them? And do you have a good story around that?
I watched three shows in three nights, Tucson, Phoenix and Santa Fe. the band was late to the show in Santa Fe and I got really loaded there. I still can't believe that I wasn't kicked out! I wrote a fuller version of this story but it's long and includes a lot of good friends and good times and patron tequila shots out of a flask with Oleg.
Which show is your favorite of the Red Elvises shows you've seen?
I think they are always the best at Plush. Their second show at Plush, which I think was in early 2006, was the best. They packed the house and got even my most shy and quiet friends dancing with their index fingers up in the air. Everyone in the whole crowd was into every song and everyone I knew was loaded and getting crazy!
Any other standout, all time great Red Elvises memories so far?
I was drinking a few beers at the Buffet Bar, which is maybe half a mile from a bar called The Hut. While in the bathroom I received a call from a friend.
Me : "Hello from the Buffet Bathroom!"
Sabrina: "JOSH!!! The Red Elvises are playing right now"
Me: "Don't even lie with me Sabrina, there are consequences to breaking my heart."
Sabrina: "I am not kidding, they are on RIGHT NOW at the Hut, I am stuck at work so I can't make it."
Me: "If you are telling the truth then they must have added this show onto the tour at the last minute. Thank you Sabrina, now, I must fly,"
I exited the bathroom while picking up my beer and slammed it in about one second. As I was walking out the door I told my girlfriend (her nickname is Red), and her friends, that the Red Elvises were playing at The Hut and nothing could stop me. I went out the door and jumped onto my Vespa which I drove up onto the patio and up to the front door to the Hut. Paid the bouncer and walked in to catch the few last songs and "Rocket Man." My girlfriend showed up (after walking down the street after me) and loved the show too. It was awesome. The following night we saw them at the Rhythm Room in Phoenix, and Igor dedicated "Rocket Man" to Red!
Wow, what a great story! It cracks me up that you made your girlfriend walk! What are your favorite Red Elvises songs?
This question should be limited: What are your three favorite Red Elvises songs...? "Ticket to Japan," "Venice USA," and "Rocket Man." I love the whole 30 Greates Hits album.
What would you like to see them do in the future? Any ideas? Anything you’d like to say to the band?
I would be most happy to hear that they will continue to tour nonstop forever and keep kicking ass in Tucson and Phoenix at least twice a year. I don't really have any special ideas but I do wish there was a way I could follow you guys to more shows without having to drive eight hours a day or spend thousands on flights. Any ideas?
I'd also like to make a note to Igor. The first time Red met the Red Elvises she was talking to Igor after the Hut show. She says to him:
"I am so glad to finally meet you, my boyfriend sings me 'Closet Disco Dancer' every night before bed."
Which was an exaggeration and a lie! I also sang to her, "Rocket Man..." Anyway, to this Igor responds to Red trying not to laugh and in thick Russian accent:
"Red, I am zorry for dat, how do I make this up to you?!"
We still joke about it, and whenever one of us does something cheesy now the other responds in our worst Russian accent, "I am sorry for that!"
Thanks to the whole band for the laughs.
Okay, last question… Do you have anything you’d especially like to say to
all the fans?
Don't ever miss a show. Ever.
Thank you, Josh, you did a wonderful job! May you wear the virtual Red Crown of Fan of the Month-dom proudly and enjoy many more Red Elvises shows in the future!
Wondering how YOU can become a future Fan of the Month? It's very easy!
Just write to: redelvisesfotm@yahoo.com
to nominate yourself or a friend. And when you see the band perform live please remember The Red
Pages -- send in your photos and write ups of the shows so other fans can enjoy your experiences
too!
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