– Logan
All photos by Logan Westom
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We almost kicked Jeremy out of the band because his name is so cliché. Strike 2 was when he just wouldn’t stop talking about himself during the interview. And yes, he really is that obsessed with In the Air Tonight. Strike 3 could come any moment now, so watch your back, Jeremy.
Which Muppet would make a perfect best friend for you? The obvious answer is Animal. He is indeed the man. We could probably talk for days about our love for hitting things with sticks, and our choke collars with spikes on them. BUT, I am going to have to go with Ms. Piggy. The 7th reason I joined Atomic Pop was for the ladies. That and I love bacon and this way I could have both.
If you could only sing one song at karaoke for the rest of your life, what would it be? I would play air drums to Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight, but just that drum part. I would make the Karaoke guy fast forward through that 7 minute intro.
Based on something you’ve already done, how might you make it into the Guinness Book of World Records? Best Air Drummer on Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight at karaoke on a Tuesday Night.
Why should Atomic Pop be everyone’s favorite band? When you think of the best bands ever like Led Zepplin, The Beatles, Wham, and Nickelback, they all have that special “thing” that makes you go “WOW.” Atomic Pop has that same WOW factor, and we give out free punch and pie at our shows.
If you could be any current or past rock star, who would you be and why? I would have to say super rock drummer Brock T. Rockenheimer, but with less hair. If you don’t know who he is you should really ask Google.
What’s the funniest/creepiest pickup line you’ve used or that’s been used on you? Does this smell like chloroform?
Which cartoon character had the greatest influence on your life? Wile E Coyote – Life is tough, and sometimes an Acme bomb falls on your head, or your jet powered roller skates throw you off a cliff. I now realize that you don’t always have to catch the really fast bird. KFC is right down the road.
Two truths and a lie. Go. I taught Mike Tyson the air drum part to Phil Collins’ In the Air Tonight. Sometimes I answer interview questions that get posted on the interweb. I’m right behind you.
Gabe, our talented bassist, also wins the prize for best Q&A response. We’ll let you guess which one.
Which Muppet would make a perfect best friend for you? Fozzy is the man…I mean bear? He’s loyal, honest, and easy going. He’d also make the best copilot on any adventure.
Based on something you’ve already done, how might you make it into the Guinness Book of World Records? I am a master with the remote control. I can preview more stations on TV in one minute than anyone on this planet and still tell you the highlights of what’s on TV. This gift has a cost, however. My wife won’t let me hold the remote anymore. It’s been emasculating.
Describe the most memorable gig you’ve ever played. The best moment I’ve had on stage was at Kate’s Pub when this super cool, super hot girl, who I’d been talking to earlier, put her phone number in my pocket while I was playing. Then she left. I called her the next day and had our first date that night. Six months later, we got married. ¿Que romántico, no?
If you could be any current or past rock star, who would you be and why? Johnny Cash. His voice is timelessly BADASS. He’s the real deal. He’s the Man in Black. He is my ‘Elvis’.
Which cartoon character had the greatest influence on your life? Thundarr the Barbarian. It was a cheap, old school Hanna Barbara cartoon and a rip-off of Conan the Barbarian. He was a dude who wandered around, helping the innocent and protecting the weak with his buddy, Ookla the Mok, who was basically a rip-off of Chewbacca. It was influential because it was the only cartoon I remember my dad watching with me. He actually liked watching it! I learned that serious adults, like my dad, like cartoons, too. I am now not ashamed to admit that I am a grown man and I LOVE CARTOONS!
Meet Jesse, our keyboard player. He speaks in parentheses.
Which Muppet would make a perfect best friend for you? Kermit should be everyone’s best friend, but I wanna party with Gonzo!!
Why should Atomic Pop be everyone’s favorite band? It’s not about being cool but about having a good time, and this band is FUN! (Wait, did I just dis’ our cool factor?)
Elvis or Beatles? The Beatles. Easy. My first memories of music was as a grade schooler singing to “Yellow Submarine” and “Rocky Raccoon”, and dancing to “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”. Fond memories…
If you could play an instrument that you don’t already know how to play, what would it be and why? I’d play the bass, because while I spend hours developing the right sounds on the keyboards for the songs we play, bass players are always ready to add 20 new songs each rehearsal. Damn you, Gabe (and Shannon, Brian, Lizzy, Steve, and all the others over the years)!!
Tomorrow you wake up as Tiger Woods. What’s the first thing you do? First, I’d tell Elin that I’m sorry and a no good SOB. Then I’d go play Augusta or Pebble Beach and experience the best round of golf of my life!
Roxy is not Roxy’s real name.
If you could only sing one song at karaoke for the rest of your life, what would it be? Total Eclipse of the Heart by Bonnie Tyler. It’s timeless and anthemic. And even the least enthusiastic crowd will get into it if you give it enough heart.
What is one thing people are often surprised to learn about you? I enjoy home canning. I make a mean pickled jalapeño. Bet you didn’t see that one coming!
If you could play an instrument that you don’t already know how to play, what would it be and why? Piano. I have gigantic hands, so I think I would be good at it. It’s that easy, right Jesse?
Which cartoon character had the greatest influence on your life? Jem (of Jem and the Holograms). She was so cool! She had awesome clothes and was the lead singer of a band. And she was a really good person too. I am pretty sure she is responsible for making me the rock star I am in my mind.
Dessert or another helping of dinner? Definitely another helping of dinner. Unless dinner sucked and dessert is really chocolatey and decadent. Then I’d have dessert. But, can’t I have both?
Roxy asked us to mention that she wants to be your friend. Facebook!
And here’s what happens when you let Greg make up his own interview questions.
What’s your favorite guitar? I’m afraid to say which one out loud. I mean, I’m quite sure they are listening to me right now, and I don’t want to hurt any of their feelings.
What’s the most memorable gig you’ve played? Private party at The Ruins – the place is so top secret that I can’t tell you much. We had to sign confidentiality agreements, but I recall playing in a really cool room on a stage the size of a travel size monopoly board. Oh, and the food was spectacular!
With reference to current Russo-Sino relations and renewed tensions between the U.S. and the new Moscow leadership, where do you see the U.S. heading with our involvement in the Syrian crisis? What? What kind of question is that? I’m in a BAND. What, am I now on Jeopardy or something? What is “I don’t give a (bleep), Alex”?
Frodo or Samwise? Easy. Sam, without a doubt. The guy could cook and he’d haul around all your crap without complaining. How could you hang out with a guy like Frodo who is always “I’m SOOOO tired,” and “this ring is SOOOOO heavy.” What a whiny little bitch. Off to the Grey Havens with you. And then Sam ends up with the hot chick, even though he’s only 3’4″. Crazy.
What’s your on-stage musical fantasy? Mike and I start singing Nights on Broadway and the rest of the band actually joins in.
With his dashing good looks and face-melting guitar solos, Mike is the ultimate front man.
Which Muppet would make a perfect best friend for you? Do Sesame Street characters count? If so, Oscar the grouch would be a perfect best friend for me — A grumpy curmudgeon with a heart of gold.
You have a choice to be born as Elvis or one of the Beatles. Who would you be? Elvis. Just because one day I know I would have to look in a mirror.
Which cartoon character had the greatest influence on your life? Easy. He-Man. The guy rides a talking green tiger with yellow stripes, lives in a castle that looks like a skull, and gets to hang out with a hot chick named Teela all day. That’s what is called “living the dream” my friends.
Tomorrow you wake up as Eddie Van Halen. What’s the first thing you do? Hmmm, let me think about that… maybe PLAY GUITAR?! Duh.
Two truths and a lie. Go. I helped my team win the National Cross Country Championships in High School. I am half Mexican. I was born on Cinco De Mayo.
Atomic Pop 