Original Interview Date: July 22, 1996. 6:00PM PDT. Original Location: Hotwired's web page. http://www.hotwired.com Original Interviewer: Michael Small Transcribed by: Daniel Savad (a.k.a. Meganurd) Type of interview: Phone, broadcast over RealAudio Opening announcer: Thanks for logging on to Feedback, HotWired's forum for interactive audio. While you're listening to live broadcast and audio, you can join the rest of the audience in Club Wired, for a simulcast chat session. Just follow the links that say "Chat Here Now." Today on Feedback our guest is "Weird Al" Yankovic and here's our host Michael Small, Editor of Pop, here at HotWired. Mike: Thanks. Welcome and thanks for joining us Al. Can you tell people where you are right now? Al: Well right now I'm in my hotel room somewhere in beautiful Kalamazoo, Michigan. Mike: And is it a beautiful hotel room? Al: It's gorgeous. It's got a bed and a couch and chairs and everything. Mike: I wanted to start off by telling you I happened to look at a website today called "HotWeird" and it looked a lot like "HotWired" and... Al (interrupts): Oh, imagine that! Now that's my record label Scotti Brothers' own web page. Mike: Did you have anything to do with the creation of that page? Al: No not really but they did let me approve it and I said "Yeah! Looks good to me!" Mike: I hear that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, is that correct? Al: Well except in this case. Mike: (laughs) Al: No, just kidding. Mike: I also was told that you liked to surf the web, is this correct? Are there any sites that you like to see regularly... you might, tell us about? Al: Well I'm not really online myself but my drummer "Bermuda" Schwartz does have his own "Weird Al" webpage and he's.. I've got a laptop which he uses on the road to keep the page updated, and every once in awhile I do look over his shoulder as he's... you know... cruising around... and I've got a working knowledge of the internet, but I'm not currently online. Mike: ...but tomorrow you will be after this discussion... Al: Well of course! Mike: Of course! I wanted to just remind people that you are on tour now and that you're going to perform in Kalamazoo tomorrow, that's right? Al: Yes. Mike: And then... would you remind me of the next three stops? Al: The next date would be at Montreal at the "Just for Laughs Festival" on Thursday. And then of course just because I want to rack up those frequent flier miles the next day we're in beautiful San Jose, California at the Santa Clara County Fair, and the next day of course, logically we're in Cleveland, Ohio. So that's what my week looks like so far. Mike: That is so logical, I wonder who drew your map for you... Al: (laughs) Mike: We also want to get some idea of what the show is like. Can you talk a bit about how this show is different from other shows, is there some incredibly fun thing that you do in the show. Al: Well, it's hard to describe. It's kinda like a Prince concert except its INTENTIONALLY funny, I think that's the main difference here. There's a lot of costume changes, there's large screen that we do video clips on which not only aid in production value while were playing but they also provide entertainment for the audience while we're doing our quick costume changes backstage. But first and foremost it is a live, high energy rock and roll show with me and my band, it's the same band that I've had for many many years, it's the same guys that are on all the records, Jon "Bermuda" Schwartz on drums, Steve Jay on bass, Jim West on guitar, and for live concerts we have Ruben Valtiera on keyboards. Mike: And are you changing costumes into, for instance, your Amish costume or your Fat costume? Al: Well I don't want to give too much away but... yeah. Mike: (laughs) Is that particularly difficult to get in and out of those costumes, how do you do it? Al: Well, (chuckles) I like to say that half the show takes place back stage. There's a woman names Lynnette Bibbi, who is our wardrobe woman/publicist for the tour, and she is backstage assisting me in and out of costumes for the show, so it's a lot that goes on behind the costume booth. Mike: I just want to take a quick break here and tell Lenny that our Java connection has been lost here, so we need... we're not getting the questions from people who are listening and that's an important part. So we're going to take care of that but in the meantime I guess is there one particular thing that is incredibly fun for you to do in this concert? Because when I was watching your videos last night, I thought you had to have the most fun job in the world. Is there one thing that really is fun in terms of the tour? Al: Well it's all fun, I really love being on the road, that's my favorite part about what I do, I mean as much as I love doing the albums and doing the videos performing in live situations is just a blast for me, for a number of reasons. One of which is it's like being on vacation really. It's completely brainless and I love that part of it. And... Mike (interrupts over Al): ...but you're not qualified to... Al: ...I love interaction with the fans, because when I do the records and the videos it's, you know after the fact I'll get letters saying how much they enjoyed them, but you don't get that kind of immediate gratification that you get in a live setting and that's really great. And probably my favorite part of the show is "One More Minute" which is a song where I will traditionally go down into the audience, and you know sit on people's laps and give away scarfs and things like that. That's always a big adrenaline rush for me. Mike: Have there been any incredible laps that you've sat on? Al: Oh, there've been one or two. I didn't get their names or numbers though. I was busy puttin' on a show. Mike: I've read an article that people come up to you with cans of Spam either empty or full that they want you to sign. Are there any other great stories about... things your fans do? Al: Oh... geezers there's quite a few, I mean I get all sorts of weird gifts like that... Spam... When I had "The White Stuff" I got a lot of Oreo cookies sent to me and actually thrown on stage, along with Bologna [pronounces it like the song title], when I do "My Bologna." We try to discourage projectiles thrown at the band. There's a guy named Karl Ditmar who actually I just saw last night when we played in the Detroit area... I signed his arm one year, and he had my autograph tattooed on his arm... Mike (interrupts): Eww... Al: ...So it's kind of extreme, I explained to him that these things are permanent but uh... Mike: (laughs) Al: (laughs) I think that it was a good idea anyway, for some reason. Mike: ...And then he proposed to you two weeks later... Al: Well no I didn't hear about that yet. Mike: Oh, okay. What about on the video set. Can you tell us about the making of Amish paradise, was there a moment when you... when it was as funny making the video as watching it? Or is it all very serious when it's happening? Al: Well I had a blast when Florence Henderson was on the set. She was really a treat to work with. She was... She's beautiful first of all and a real professional and a great sense of humor. She was really, really funny and was cracking up everybody on the set. She was practicing that Michelle Peiffer look all day long, where she kinda sucks in her cheeks, and gives that real mock serious look. So she was really funny. Mike: So that wasn't makeup, that was actual sucking in of cheek... Al: (laughs) She did that herself, without any coaching. Mike: Wow, what talent. That's amazing. Al: And one of the other... It wasn't so much funny as it was another adrenaline rush. It was when the side of the barn falls down on me. Now that's not a special effect or something that was actually a huge barn that fell down around me. And we kinda rehearsed it a couple of times like slow motion to make sure it was going to miss my head, (Mike chuckles) which is always a good thing. But that thing was reinforced with steel and that had to weigh several thousand pounds. And, I mean the earth shook when that thing fell down. And it was... I didn't want to do more than one take so it was a lot of concentration to look very nonchalant while this huge thing was like, literally falling on top of me. Mike: I saw the fear in your eyes. Al: Did ya? Mike: Can't hide it. We have a question from one of our viewers one of our viewers. Weird Pope would like to know, "What will you do when you stop touring?" Al: Probably go home and take a shower, that's on my agenda right now. Actually I have a lot of things that are kinda in development. I've gotten several various kind of TV and feature offers and a lot of things which I really can't talk about right now because the ink isn't dry on the contracts yet. But my schedule is going to be pretty full for awhile. Although I should say that the tour is going to be probably going on for awhile. Right now it's scheduled through the beginning of October but we're getting interest from Europe and from Australia, and quite feasibly the tour will go on into next year sometime. So I really don't know what's going to be happening. Mike: We have another question from Weird Kay Bell, who says, "Hey Al, you gave your underwear to my girlfriend at the Toronto show. Did she give you hers?" Al: No, and I'm still waiting. This has been a really one sided relationship so far. I give and I give and I give and I don't get anything in return and I'm quite sick of it frankly! Mike: Well you should probably have a job at Hotwired and you would understand. But not all jobs are like that. Meganurd has another question which is, "Now that there are large amounts of information about your life available to the general public, do you feel a little strange that your fans at concerts know... so much information about you?" Al: Well there are certain things that I don't mind them knowing about me. I do tend to have something of a private life. And I mean they don't know everything about me. If they know what color my underwear is... I'm fine with that. Mike: A related question, I noticed that in all the articles I read, I found very little about your private life. In fact, it never gives a clue whether you're in a relationship or not, and so of course I want to ask, are you in a relationship? Al: Well, currently I am not, no. Actually I had a sort of serious girlfriend that broke up with me about three or four months ago. Mike: Is the demand of your job a problem when it comes to having a relationship, or actually is it easier than most other jobs in that respect. Al: Well, no it makes it difficult. Any kind of job where first of all you're this busy and second of all you're away from home that much. That's not good for a relationship. I mean I enjoy being on the road but sometimes I wonder how difficult it is for the guys in the band and the guys in the crew that are married or have very serious significant others, you know, what it's like for them to be away for months and months at a time, it can't be that easy. And that was kinda the case with my last relationship, it was just... I was so busy in the first part of the year, and it was a long distance relationship to begin with, but between that and the touring and all that, it just... things just kinda fell apart. Mike: She said it was me or that accordion. Al: Pretty much and you know my accordion has always been my main squeeze. So there you have it. Mike: Oh (laughs) That was a... that was a low one. (Al laughs) We have another question from Meganurd, "In your recent AlMusic special, was that professional stage blood that you used or Karo syrup?" Al: Oh lemme think... I BELIEVE that was professional stage blood, although I couldn't swear to it. Mike: We have another specific question from Keith G, who asks, "Al, when will 'It's Still Billy Joel to Me' get released, or will it EVER get released?" Al: Hmmm.... Well, chances are that it will never be officially released, although if you remember the Dr. Demento Fan Club it MAY [stretches his voice up on 'may'] at some point in the future show up on one of his basement tapes. Perhaps. Maybe. I'm not promising anything. Mike: New York Rangers Fan is another one of our viewers who would like to ask, "Al, could you please explain what happened with Weezer, in regards to why they were in the liner notes, but not on the album?" Al: Okay, that's an interesting question. Originally the Weezer song "Buddy Holly" was in the "Alternative Polka" medley. It was right... now where exactly was it... It would take me a minute to think of where it was, but if you read the liner notes in the 'Thanks' it's whatever other names are there between, that's where they were. And there was a lot of miscomunication on this album (Al and Mike chuckle) for some reason. And again, I was under the impression that Weezer had signed off on it, and that we were okay. And we had recorded the "Alternative Polka" with the Weezer song intact and we were literally about to start mixing it, I mean, you know, the album was almost done and we get a call from Weezer's management saying WE never said you could do this, and in fact, we're not going to let you do this. So we literally had to cut the Weezer song out of the medley. Unfortunately, because of the deadline, the album credits had already been printed up, because the artwork has to be done before the, in many cases, before the album is even finished, because we're always at the end of the deadline. So we had already given special thanks to Weezer, and now we had to cut their song out of the medley, so that's why they are thanked, and yet the song doesn't appear on the record. Mike: But I thought that legally you could use any song that you wanted and it was just as a courtesy that you went and asked permission. Al: Well here's how it works for the polka medleys, and I don't think I've ever explained this before, but the reason why I have to get permission for the polkas, even though I'm not changing the words, is that when I do a medley, I'm asking all the publishers to take a certain percentage of statutory rate. Now statutory rate is something that gets paid to a songwriter whenever one of their songs is used. And if you're doing a medley, I can't pay like twelve times the statutory rate because that would be an exorbitant amount of money, so we have to ask them, for example, if let's say the Green Day song takes up, I don't know, eleven percent of the medley, that they would agree to take eleven percent of statutory. Mike: Right. Al: So that's just something they have to agree to, we can't just do that and not tell them about it. Mike: Right. Well, similarly there was some sort of misunderstanding with Coolio. I know you've had to discuss it several times but I think a lot of people are still curious, was that resolved? You wrote him a letter, did you ever hear back? Al: No I never did. Yeah, that's kind of a heartbreaking situation because I've had a stellar record up till now of having a really good relationship with the songwriters and the artists, and I've prided myself on that kind of relationship. And again, for people who aren't aware of what happened. Again I was under the impression that Coolio had given his permission for my parody of "Gangsta's Paradise." And this is one of those cases where instead of me dealing directly with the artist, it was a case of my people dealing with his people. And I do not know to this day, and I don't know if I'll ever know what happened. I don't know if he just changed his mind, or if there was some kind of miscomunication, or if I got some bad information from my record label, I really don't know. All I know is that AFTER the record came out, there was a press release from Coolio saying that he didn't appreciate of me doing the parody, that he never gave permission, that he thought that I desecrated his song. It was pretty harsh. And I was shocked because as I've said, you know I was operating under the assumption that he'd completely signed off on it, so you know I was... I wrote him a very sincere and humble letter of apology and explained things from my perspective, and didn't hear back from him. His reasoning was that he thought that "Gangsta's Paradise" was too serious a song to make fun of, and while that I certainly appreciate his feelings, and respect his feelings, in my own defense I'd have to say that I don't think "Amish Paradise" in any way detracts from the meaning or the message or the importance of "Gangsta's Paradise." It's just something different. Mike: Is there such a song as a song that's too serious to be made fun of? Al: Well it's a gray area. I'd like to say no, you know. But it's all a gray area. You kinda have to use your good sense and judgement on it. Mike: What about the issue of the portrayal of the Amish people in the video? I read many articles from people around Lancaster who were really pleased with the video and thought it was fun and respectful to the Amish, but did you hear otherwise from any other groups? Al: Very very little. I mean my humor is... everything I do is in good fun... It's not mean or biting or sarcastic really, which some critics have actually taken me to task for, they think I should have more edge to my humor. But I think it's more of a challenge to be funny without stepping on people's toes and being obnoxious about it. And when I did the song about the Amish, it was not at all meant to be derogatory to the Amish, it was not putting them down or making fun of them. I was having fun WITH them, I was obviously presenting them in a light that was different from reality. But that's what humor is about, it's twisting reality and, you know, having fun with it. Mike: I think I want to ask you about some of the other people that you've worked with, in terms of using their music. Is it true that Madonna is the one who suggested that you make "Like a Surgeon"? Al: Well as legend has it. I mean I've told this story often, but that was how I got the idea for "Like a Surgeon." Apparently Madonna was talking to a friend of hers in New York City one day, and just happened to wonder aloud, "Hmm, I wonder when 'Weird Al' is going to do 'Like a Surgeon'" and her friend had happened to know my manager, Jay Levey. So she told him, and he told me and I though, "Wow, that's a pretty good idea, maybe I will." Mike: One of our viewers asked another question about "Amish Paradise," and this is from AlPastor who wants to know, "Didn't Stevie Wonder write the music originally?" Al: He wrote "Pastime Paradise" which "Gangsta's Paradise" was based on. So, yeah I'm not actually sure, again, I wasn't the one that was actually on the phone getting the permission. I know that Stevie Wonder's people were contacted as well so I'm not sure where that all sits at this point. Mike: Another question from one of our viewers, Sue Perry says, "Hi Al, this is Sue from Florida. How were you influenced by the recordings of Allen Sherman?" Al: Well Allan Sherman is one of my all time heros, along with Stan Freeburg, and Tom Lehrer and Spike Jones. I always mention those four as being the most influential musically, and they're all four that I heard originally from the Dr. Demento Show, who's I guess the man most responsible for my career. I mean, before his show, I was a twelve year old kid studying to be an architect, and then I heard his show for the first time and it kinda transformed my life. Mike: Going back to what you were saying about "Amish Paradise" You mentioned when you were talking about it that some critics said that your humor isn't edgy enough. How do you respond to those critics? Al: Well, I mean, you know that kind of humor isn't for everybody, I mean a lot of people appreciate my style of humor. That's one of the reasons in fact that I am able to get permission from so many artists and why I have such a good track record and relationship with these people because people know that it's all done in good fun. I'm not MAD at people. I'm not, you know, it's not HATEFUL when I do a parody. It's all very affectionate. Mike: And another viewer has questions, which is Mr. I asks, "What is it like directing videos for other artists such as Jeff Foxworthy?" Al: Well, I haven't done a lot of that but Jeff was a real treat to work with. He's a consummate professional and I love working with Jeff. In fact, I've unfortunately had to turn down the last two Jeff Foxworthy projects. He approached me for a video called "Games Rednecks Play" and he recently approached me for another video which is coming out, a christmas video of his, and unfortunately I just happened to be on the road and it's kinda difficult to direct a video when you're between Kalamazoo and Cleveland, you know? But it's very flattering and Jeff's great and I hope to work with him sometime in the future. Mike: A followup question to the question about Allen Sherman. Do you have any favorite Allen Sherman songs that you would list for people who are listening right now, or from some of the other people who influenced you? Al: Oh boy that's... that puts me on the spot a little bit it's hard to say you mean all the hits come to mind immediately of course, "Camp Grenada", "Eight Foot Two, Eyes of Blue." I'm mean there's... I hate to even start listening to him, because he wrote so many classics. Mike: Was there a great Allen Sherman album "My Son the Nut"? Al: That was a good one. Mike: And any others that you would tell people to go out and look for? Al: Oh, geez, songs for "Swing Livers,"[?] "My Son the Celebrity," quite a few... actually most of the Allen Sherman albums that I bought initially, I bought for like a quarter at a garage sale. (chuckles) When I was just a little kid. Mike: Do you have any of them still? Al: Somewhere, yeah, they're somewhere in storage. Now I have the Rhino CD releases. Mike: Oh, so you're all set. We have another person writing in, from Curenair who asks, "Which of your original songs do you like the best?" Al: Oh, that's another question that's hard to answer. I feel close to a lot of them. I like the twisted love songs like "One More Minute" and "You Don't Love Me Anymore." I like "Everything You Know is Wrong" off Bad Hair Day, and "Franks 2000" TV" is another favorite. And I a lot of people have told me that "Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota" is their favorite song we've been playing that live in concert and I have to admit that that's a lot of fun to play live. But it's very hard to pick though. Mike: New York Rangers fan is a listener who asks, "Have you ever developed a friendship with any of the artists that you parodied?" Al: Not a real CLOSE friendship. Oddly enough I've hung out with Gerardo of "Rico Suave" fame. And... Mike (interrupts): What did you and Gerardo do? Al: (laughs) and I've run into various people at parties and stuff... but, you know I don't really go bowling with anybody no. Mike: But we really want to know, what did you and Gerardo do when you hung out? Did go drinkin'? Al: What did we do? We went to some kind of dance club and hung out and nothing much happened... so we went home. (laughs) Mike: A few of the other people that you've parodied include say, Ray Davis of the Kinks and the song "Lola." Did you actually speak directly with him about that song when you did "Yoda"? Al: Well eventually. I wrote that song in Nineteen... I guess it was 1980 when the Empire Strikes Back first came out. And we tried for the first album to get permission and we heard from his... I forget if it was his publisher or his agent or his manager, but they said, "Oh no, Ray's not interested." And we tried again for the second album and it was "No no no, he's not interested, he's not interested in this." And finally I ran into Ray, I think it was like backstage at the Howard Stern show or some weird thing like that, because he was coming on after me and I said "Hi Ray, it's Al Yankovic, and you know, I do my parody called 'Yoda' and I was just wondering why, you know, you're not interested in the parody." And he had no idea what I was talking about. He hadn't heard that I wanted to do a parody. Nobody had even run it by him. And he was completely fine with the idea. So armed with that information we were able to get the song cleared for the third album, Dare to be Stupid. And I found since then that that's the case a lot of times, that the artist will in fact be completely for the parody and the manager or whoever is representing or protecting them won't even bring it up to them. Mike: Is there a standard royalty situation where you share the royalties with those people, or because it's parody is it your possession? Al: No, we always split the royalties because, you know it's their music and my lyrics. So it's just a matter of determining, you know what percentage that they get and what percentage that I get. And I'm really not at liberty to say what the standard is at this point, but, they make a pretty good chunk. Mike: Mr. I asks, "Al, do you think MTV ripped you off by not allowing you to be creative in the newest ALTV?" Al: Well I wouldn't say 'ripped me off' and I mean I'm thankful to MTV for giving me the airtime and they've been very supportive this summer. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to do an ALTV like all the other ALTV's that I've done in the past. And there... oh how can I phrase this? They're a lot more careful these days. They're a bit more afraid of lawsuits nowadays then they were when they were first starting out. They were a bit more renegade, let's say, in the early 80s and they did a lot of things that were not quite... legal... (laughs) ...but they were okay with that. Like for example when I do the interviews, generally we don't get permission for those... we're just, kinda like flying by the seat of our pants, and hoping that those people will have a sense of humor and can take a joke. When I did MuchMusic in Canada, I did six or seven interviews with various artists, none of which we really got permission for but we did it because MuchMusic was... I guess willing to take the risk and MTV, given, you know, where they are right now, they didn't feel like that was something they wanted to do. Mike: So is there another ALTV coming up now or not scheduled? Al: Well not in the near future. Generally we schedule those for when there's a new album to promote. So probably not until the next album. Mike: And... Thinking back on the parody style that you follow, "Smells Like Nirvana" really parodies the song, whereas other songs bring in material that may have absolutely nothing to do with the song, just take a song that's about one thing and make it about something else. Al: Right. Mike: Do you divide your songs into those categories when you're writing them or is that just sort of, accidental? Al: Well not consciously, I mean it's nice when I can write a song that's about the song, you know that way it becomes more satirical rather than just a straight parody. Those are the toughest ones to do without being mean spirited. I thought "Smells Like Nirvana" was a really good example of a song that worked because it poked fun at the song without being insulting. I mean, the guys in Nirvana actually enjoyed the song and thought it was very funny. Whereas "Achy Breaky Song," the Billy Ray Cyrus parody, was a bit more mean spirited. I still think that's very funny, but I'd feel a little uncomfortable with that because that's about as mean spirited that I get. Mike: (laughs) Now... That "Smells Like Nirvana" video really looked like you were having a blast when you did that. Was it incredibly fun? Were you stopping to just, laugh? Or was it really hard work? Al: (laughs) Well that's the thing. It is a lot of fun but while you're shooting a video, especially when I'm also directing I have to stay so focused that sometimes it's difficult to realize how much fun you're having. We're very professional about it, we try to get shots done in as little time as possible, and obviously we're trying to make it as funny as possible, but sometimes it's just difficult to take a breath and say "Wow this is really fun!" It usually happens a couple of weeks later after the video is edited and we've had a chance to relax and then we look back on it and say, "Wow that was an incredible day!" Mike: I think this might be a good time to let people hear the song that you said you liked of your own originals which is "Everything you Know is Wrong" which is on Bad Hair Day. So I thought that maybe we would go to the second track on the CD and listen to that and take a little break. Al: Okay. Mike: Okay, thanks. ["Everything You Know Is Wrong" is played] Mike: Hi it's Michael Small. I'm the Producer of Pop and I'm here with "Weird Al" Yankovic, and we're going to be asking questions that we're receiving from people who are chatting on telnet. I just wanted to talk about the song we just heard. Al, is that an intentional reference to They Might be Giants? Al: Yes it is. Mike: And are you a fan? Al: Yeah, They Might be Giants is one of my favorite groups, and when I do style parodies I tend to pick groups that I really like because I happen to listen to their CDs anyway so I'm very familiar with the style and the nuances, so it's easier for me to pick that kind of style apart and add my own little twist to it. Mike: Was there ever a song that posed particular difficulties because there were sounds that were very hard to recreate, or very intricate sounds that were hard to unscramble? Al: That happens from time to time. I know when we did the parody of "Stand" by R.E.M. it was a tough time deciphering all the background vocals. There's some things that are REALLY subtle in there. And I got a lot more respect for the group just from pulling that song apart and seeing exactly how they made that song. Also I remember when we did "Yoda" there was a lot of disagreement among Rick Derringer, who was producing at the time and myself, the guys and the group as to what was making that loud crash noise at the end. One of us said it was a gong. Somebody else said it was an amplifier being kicked over. Everybody had their own idea of what it was and we tried a number of things, and it came pretty close. I'm still to this day not sure what the original people used. Mike: What did you use? Al: You know I...(laughs) I don't remember what we wound up actually using, maybe a combination. Mike: One of our listeners Alploozer asks, "Al, congrats on your platinum album. What question do you hate being asked?" Al: That one. Mike: (laughs) Right answer. Next question, comes from I-27, "Al there's a web page which contains a bunch of your unreleased songs such as 'Still Billy Joel To Me' and 'Belvedere Cruisin'.' Do you want these songs to be available or not?" Al: Well I have mixed feelings about it. I mean, in my heart of hearts, I'm not that thrilled with the real early stuff, and, you know I'd kinda preferred that people forgot about them, but I know that the hardcore fans really want to know this stuff. And the free... proliferation of information is what the internet is all about and, you know I'm not one to censor free speech, so I mean people should be allowed to discuss whatever they like. Mike: There's another question from I-27 who asks, "Al, about how long did it take you to write a parody? Does it take you more or less time than writing an original?" Al: The parodies usually come together a little bit quicker than the originals because obviously when I'm doing the originals I have to write the music, and that also involves doing the demo and that takes some time to put together. The parodies actually come together fairly quickly although I'll still allow a couple of weeks just to get ideas together in a notebook. When I think of a concept for a parody I will just jot down key phrases and words and gags and... whatever I can think of that relates to that concept, and then when I have a dozen or so pages I will just consolidate it into the pop song format and hope that it all works. Mike: We have another question from Karumo who asks, "How do you think your work has changed over the years?" Al: Well lets see... Basically I think it's pretty much the same although these days I'm not really writing songs about food, and I'm slowly trying to ween myself away from songs about television. I just try to explore different topics and subject matter because I because I kinda got stuck in a rut there for awhile. So I think my basic kind of irreverence and humor is staying the same. I'm just trying to find different ways to express it. Mike: We have a question from Nirdman who says, "We European fans feel a bit left out. It's very hard to get a hold of your records, not to mention your videos. When will you come here for some concerts?" And another person had also asked, "When are you going to Sweden?" Al: Well I would dearly love to come to Europe. We have not yet toured outside of North America. And there is some serious discussion at the moment about coming out to Europe. Part of that is waiting on the distribution of Bad Hair Day internationally because Scotti Brothers is right now putting together their international record deal, which is kinda sad for me because like in Australia there are some radio stations that are playing my songs in pretty heavy rotation and the album isn't even released there yet. So as soon as the album does get out there, we're gonna enter into some serious talks about doing some overseas touring. Mike: Another question from Meganurd who says, "A lot of fans have reported that you actually remembered them at concerts when they saw you a second time. Do you have a photographic memory?" Al: Well not photographic but I do remember... (chuckles) odd things here and there and I latch onto bits of trivia and I do remember a lot of people from one concert to the next. I try to make as many friends as I can because we travel around and hit a lot of the same cities so when you live on the road as much as I do I try to have whatever kind of relationships I can have on the road. Mike: I wanted to ask you a few questions about your past and how you've got to where you are. First of all, was humor a valuable thing for you as a kid that helped you get through school, get by... get along? Or was it something that became more important for you later in life? Al: It's hard for me to think of it in that way. I mean humor is something that's just something that's always been a part of me, I mean if you want to get philosophical about it. Or introspective I guess it is some kind of defense mechanism. But I never use it as a WAY to do anything, I've just always, you know, joked about things. I think I've probably lost more than one girlfriend from just my sense of humor. You know, "Can't you be serious about ANYTHING? Does everything have to be a joke with you?" Mike: And what's the answer to that? Al: "Yeah I'm afraid so." Mike: (laughs) You also studied architecture at Cal Poly, is that right? Al: Yes it is. I have my degree in architecture. Mike: Do you ever use the experience that you got in that program? Al: No, not really. I've forgotten practically everything I've learned in college, although I can still print pretty neatly. Mike: And that's very useful. Al: I write just like an architect would write. Mike: And also I noticed in some of the articles that you are a vegetarian. Has this been a long time way of life, or is this something new? Al: It's not something... Actually I started I guess about four or five years ago. A woman who started out as a fan and became a close friend gave me a book called "Diet for a New America." The book made a very compelling argument for vegetarianism. It's just something that I thought was right for me. I hate to talk about it too much because I don't you know want to sound preachy or like I'm getting on a soap box because, you know, I just wanted to make it a personal thing for me but whenever you choose a lifestyle like that you find yourself always having to defend it in front of people. Like, 'How come you act that way?' or 'How come you won't eat this?' or 'How come you won't do that?' and all of a sudden you're always having to explain your behavior. Mike: Is it difficult to be a vegetarian on the road? Al: Sometimes, yeah. I mean a lot of... on our writers, the contracts that we have with the various promoters, we make it pretty clear what exactly what my diet will consist of. But there's some times when we stop at a truck stop and there's not a whole lot in the way of what I can eat. Like, 'Umm yeah, I'll have the apple sauce and the toast, thank you.' Mike: (chuckles) Not very appealing. We have a question from Big Al Fan who asks, "Al, when do you think we can expect your next album?" Al: Boy... (chuckles) I can't even think about that right now. I haven't begun writing it. It'll... Hopefully next year but there's no possible way of me telling. As with all my albums, it kinda depends on my schedule, you know, when I'm going to be able to write it. Plus, obviously I'm kinda dependant on pop culture. I always have to wait for the next big thing. So, you know, if the fates all treat me kindly then hopefully next year sometime. Mike: A listener called Robogged asks, "Is there a plan for a movie soon? I heard that you have a screenplay." Al: Yeah I wouldn't... that's what I did on my summer vacation last year. Last year I had a lot more free time and I decided I would be like every other person in Los Angeles and have an unproduced screenplay gathering dust in a drawer somewhere. I wouldn't look, really for that in the near future. Although again there's at couple of other feature things that have come up in the meantime which I'm considering. And again, none of this is in the near future, so don't start checking your papers for the showtimes quite yet. Mike: Evita27 asks, "How much was Jon involved in the conception of 'Gee I'm a Nerd'?" Al: Jon Schwartz my drummer? Mike: I guess so. Al: Well as far as writing it... I don't think he was really... But he plays drums very well on it. Mike: Then we have another question which is from I-27 who asks, "Al, we found a guy on America Online who had the nickname 'Weird Al' and his full name was 'Alfred Matthew Yankovic.' Could that have been you?" Al: That was not me. Mike: An imposter! Al: Yes one of the, "not 'Weird Al' but an incredible simulation." Mike: Well HotWired is doing a service for the world today, I'm glad to know. Al: (laughs) Mike: We'll move on to another question, from New York Rangers Fan, "Any chance of a CD-ROM album in the future?" Al: Interactive is something that I've been interested in for the last few years and we've been very very very painfully close to an interactive deal, and for some reason we just haven't been able to close it. So, I mean, again that's one of those things where I'm not really supposed to talk about it because we're very close to signing a deal and hopefully that you'll be hearing about in the near future. Mike: Alpaloozer says, "Al, your concerts are great. I want to know if you write all your own jokes or if someone helps you." Al: I basically write all of my own jokes. I mean if somebody in the band comes up with something clever of course I'll steal it from them. In fact, it was Jim West that came up with the idea of having "The Beatles" on Jon's Drumhead. I thought it was a pretty funny idea. Mike: I think we have a bunch of questions that seem to hit on the issue that you got a platinum record and you've had a lot of successful albums and songs recently. Has this changed your life at all? Al: No I was always an arrogant jerk so it really hasn't changed much of anything. Mike: (holds back a laugh) How about in terms of when you're on tour, do you have luxuries you didn't have before? Al: Well now when I go to fast food restaurants I always order the large fries. And you know maybe I won't even finish the whole bag, I'll just leave the rest there. Mike: You rich guys are all alike. Al: You know? Mike: Wasteful. Al: (chuckles) Mike: Another question comes from Big Al Fan who asks, "Is there really a big ball of twine in Minnesota?" Al: There most certainly is. In fact every single thing that I mentioned in that song is real. Absolutely everything. I was inspired by a book given to me by a friend, a book called "Roadside America" and the biggest ball of twine is in fact a 21,140 pound ball of twine that was wrapped by a man named Francis A. Johnson and the ball is in fact under a little gazebo somewhere in Darwin, Minnesota. Mike: And we're all on the way there right now. Al: I've had so many people send me postcards from the Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota. They went all the way there just for that photo opportunity. Mike: Well it's an important thing to do before we leave this world. Al: Absolutely! Mike: Next question Alploozer asks, "Al, is there an Al fanzine I can contribute to?" Al: Well the Midnight Star of course, out of Houston, Texas. Boy I wish I had the address right in front of me but I don't. But it's the Midnight Star and they do quite a good job of collecting memorabilia and articles and interesting tidbits from fans and from Bermuda and myself and it's put out several times a year, and I highly recommend it. Mike: Do you think there's a link to it from one of the websites? Al: I'm sure there is. I think Bermuda's page has a link to it. Mike: Okay. Fanatic says, "Al, your Allentown concert is a mere two minutes from my house. How 'bout you and the band stopping by the house for Spam and Cheez Whiz?" Al: Oh gee, I'll have to check my schedule and see if I can do that. Mike: And what if there's no Spam and Cheez Whiz, will you refuse to go? Al: Oh... well... we might drop by anyway. Mike: Oh, okay. You're very kind. I think we have a couple of more questions here... from... a name that I can't pronounce... "Do you remember playing accordion at Joel's apartment in Hollywood Hills late after a party with some kids from Mexico City?" Al: (laughs) Mike: How about that for a question? Al: Oh... Boy... Ah... vaguely... I suppose... (laughs some more) Mike: Well... Al: I'm not sure.. Joel Miller, my friend? Mike: I guess so. Al: It's kind of a distant memory but I can probably be jogged into reality if I had more information on that. Mike: Well the kid from Mexico City is listening right now. Al: Well thanks for keeping in touch. Mike: GumbyL asks, "What's a typical day like when you're between albums and not touring?" Al: Between albums and not touring... Well I sleep 'till about four in the afternoon and then eat breakfast and then take a nap... watch some TV, and then... call it a day, pretty much. Mike: Do you have some other interests that you pursue, like, you know, whatever... going to the gym or something like that? Al: Yeah I'm real pumped up. I'm a buff kind of guy. My physique is really number one in importance to me so... Mike: And to a lot of other people. Al: Oh yes. I gotta stay in shape for the next Al's Buns Calendar. Mike: But you're not collecting bottle caps or anything like that are you? Al: No. I mean I try not to collect much of anything because it gets to be rather obsessive after awhile. I mean the only thing that I really collect is Al memorabilia. I figure some day I might want to look back on what I've done. But, no, I tell people that I really don't have any hobbies anymore because all of my hobbies used to revolve around music and comedy and now I get to do that for a living. So I feel I'm successful, aside from selling so many albums, I mean, I'm successful just from the standpoint that I do exactly what I love doing. Mike: We have a question from Robin T who asks, "Did you really sell your house when you were little?" Al: Well no, no i didn't. That was a wacky gag. Mike: And what can you tell us about that gag? Al: (laughs) I'm not sure what she's referring to. I probably made some kind of comment at some point that I... when I was a kid I sold... I don't even know what she's talk... I probably sold my house for lime jello or something like that, I don't know... I say the craziest things don't I? Mike: You certainly do. Well, I just want to go over for people a few facts here so they're up to date. Your new album is your tenth album, is that correct? Al: Well it depends what you're counting. I've kinda lost count because there's been so many compilation albums mixed in I don't know what you're going to count as an official Al album and what's kind of a cheesy knockoff. (laughs) Mike: Right. But is it about ten? Al: It's about ten studio albums, yeah. Mike: And you've won two grammies, is that right? Al: Uh huh. Mike: And you have fourteen total gold and platinum records? Al: Actually with Bad Hair Day that brings it up to eighteen. Mike: Eighteen. Wow, what a record. Well I think that... Well let's see. We have one more question... We're getting near the end of our hour and I think we're just going to take one or two more questions. So anyone out there who has a question they haven't asked, now is the time to get it in. A question from Meganurd, "Is there any piece of Al memorabilia that is SO rare that even you don't have it?" Al: Hmm... well that's a good question... I think Bermuda has one or two things that I don't have and he always mocks me for not having it. I forget what exactly they are. Some kind of German import 12 inch single or someth... I forget. I mean, I think that the only person in the world that's a bigger Al collector than me is him. He's got like the wildest stuff. Mike: We have another question from Sort who asks, "Al, is the World Wide Web hype or hope?" Al: (laughs) I think it's a little bit of both. I mean it seems like everybody in the world is... a lot of businesses are rushing to get online and to get on the World Wide Web and I think it's in it's infancy and it's just going to get bigger. I mean I think part of what's really going to help is when the RealAudio technology and the video technology is such that you can click on an icon and see full motion video and it will be more of a real immediate experience instead of having to download things. I mean it's still very exciting right now but I think it's just starting and it's going to get really incredible. Mike: Now here's a question that needs a very honest answer. In the meantime while we're waiting for that to happen, is it true that perhaps Pop, the arts and entertainment section of HotWired is the finest website in America. Al: Well absolutely! Where's my check? Mike: We'll deal with that later. We have a question from Rosalic asking, "Are you ever going to have a radio show like Dr. Demento?" Al: Oh boy... I mean I'd hate to... I don't think so... I mean there's only one Dr. Demento. He's been an inspiration to me for many many years and I don't think he can ever be replaced. I mean he's the guy, he's the man, he's the dude. Mike: And we have a question from AdamGr, "Are you going to release a concert only songs CD?" Al: Probably not. I mean, it's kinda hard to say what the record company is going to insist on at some point in the future. But actually, keep watching the Disney Channel coming up later this year I think there's going to be a special which is going to be, mostly live performances from the Bad Hair Tour that was shot in Vancouver. So it's not a CD persay, but I mean you can get a good VHS tape of a live "Weird Al" show. Mike: We have another question from Cherdenaire, "If somebody refused to permit you to parody their song, would you do it anyhow? Has anybody ever refused?" Al: No, I would not do it anyhow. I mean a couple of times, and it's pretty rare, but some artists do refuse permission, and I just let it go 'cause I have plenty of warped idea and I can just move onto the next person. It's sad sometimes when I have a really good idea and the artist winds up to not have such a good sense of humor but, you know I do respect them and they do have their feelings and I move on. Mike: I read that one of the artists who I think was not very much in favor of having a song parodied is an artist who no longer has a name but is now named with a symbol. Al: Right. (laughs) Mike: Is that correct? Al: So yeah he's traditionally just not that too the open idea of parody. We approached him every few years and see if he's lightened up, and so far, no. Mike: We have... Well before we take a final question I just want to ask you is there something that you never get a chance to discuss that you want to say something that's happened in another interview that you want to clear up, or make something clear, whatever? Al: I don't think I've ever said this before but... I'm a man trapped in the body of a hamster. Mike: But it was so evident that I don't think that really needs saying. Al: (laughs) You're right, what was I thinking? Mike: Okay... With that in mind I think we're going to have our last comment from someone named Cybermyth and it's not a question at all it's just a comment and I think it's a really good way to wind this up, where Cybermyth says, "You've helped me out through some tough times and I would like to tell you how much your music means to me. I hope to meet you at the concert in Cal Expo, see ya there." Al: Oh that's great. Thank you, I'll definitely try. Mike: So thank you very much Al. It was really a pleasure having you here and we really appreciate it and good luck with your tour. Al: Thank you very much. Mike: Bye-bye. ["Gump" is played. Midway into the song the announcer breaks in] Announcer: Thanks to Michael and thanks to Al. Our next live event is tomorrow, Tuesday, July 23, 6-10 p.m. PDT. That's Wednesday 1-5 GMT. Spend four hours with D.J. Spooky, the hottest D.J. in New York. He'll be here in the office for an interview and an extended live mix. And then join WiredSide Chat in the Netizen on Thursday, July 25 6-9 a.m. PDT. The GMT for that is 1300 to 1600 for a second interactive senate hearing on encryption. We'll be broadcasting the encryption senate hearing live from the senate floor, and we'll take your questions in talk.com, forwarding them to the chair of the hearing Senator Conrad Burns. Thanks to all who helped us on today's show including GB for the chat, Brian engineering, Michael Small is the host, and our guest "Weird Al" Yankovic. ["Alternative Polka" is played] [end of HotWired interview]