This is the "backstage" area, where I will type a little bit about what goes on behind the scenes and what goes into being a working performer. I will do my best to update this page from time to time. Please email me any questions or suggestions.  
   
  Behind the scenes-- promo video

I have received many complements on my promo video (thank you!) and just as many questions about what goes into creating one. Two words: A LOT.

First off, let me tell you that with the exception of being behind the video cameras, I did everything else when it came to putting the promo video together. The final step, editing, is one of the most difficult and time consuming parts to creating a video. For example, you can have a fantastic show, and great film footage, but with poor editing it all looks terrible. Hiring a good video editor to create a five minute video is VERY expensive -- between $1000 - $3000. For that price, you can buy your own editing suite. So that is exactly what I did... and then spent the next several months learning how to use these powerful tools.

One of the key elements of any video is the background music. When you are taking a 45 minute show and trimming it down to 5 minutes, the music helps to "hide the seams" and keep the whole video moving at a good pace. It also communicates the general mood and feel for what the show is.

I scoured my collection of over 1000 CDs and even went out and bought several more looking for the perfect tracks. I selected 15 songs that I thought had the right feel for what my show is like. Now the tricky part begins...

Rock / pop songs in their original form will not work. First off, vocals have to be taken out and then there is a question of length. The montages in the video are around thirty seconds and the edited routines are between 1-2 minutes long.

I did rough edits of all the songs on my PC laptop with "Sound Forge" and then I would play them underneath the video footage to get a feel for what worked and what did not. Then I would go back and re-edit the music and then re-edit the video footage to make sure the two matched up. As you can imagine, this is a very time consuing process. The songs that are in the video are:

Dandy Warhols - Bohemian Like You (edit)
Marc Almond - The Idol (etienne re-mix and edit)
Electronic - Haze (edit)
Depeche Mode - Route 66 (Beat Masters remix edit)
Pet Shop Boys - I didn't get where I am today (edit)

In case you are interested, here are some low quality MP3's of the preliminary edits of tracks that were considered for the video, but ultimately rejected:

Love and Rockets - Yin and Yang (the flowerpot man) (edit)
Blur - Girls and Boys (edit)
Andy Bell - Delicious (edit)
Siouxsie & the Banshees - Peek-A-Boo (edit)
Apollo 440 - Can't Stop The Rock (edit)

 
   
     
   
 
 

How do you get your hair like that?


This is probably the question I get more often than any other. So here is the answer and it's not very glamourous at all. Hairspray and a blow dryer. Yes, it's that simple. No gel (too heavy), no waxes (too heavy, again) and not much effort either.

First off, I should mention that my hair is specifically cut for this hairstyle. I always bring a picture with me, and funny enough, the picture is of me so that way the stylist knows it is possible.

I use Salon Graphix (megahold) hairspray (you can find it at walgreens for about $7).

As you can see from the pictures, I start in the middle, then work my way back, then to the front. I then blow dry a bit (on warm heat) and then re-apply hairspray, and work my way around some more. I blow dry again - oh and when I blow dry I do it VERTICALLY (very important).

I then get to work on the sides and back, "scuplting" all the while with my hands to push the hair into place. Blow dry again, then give it one big final spray and voila! Hair that stands straight up.

Total elapsed time: 4 min 26 sec. Although I have had quite a bit of practice because I have been wearing this hairstyle since I was 15.

When I first spiked my hair I was simply immitating my favourite rock stars and my parents (shaking their heads) would say "that's just an act, they only do that onstage, and you are not onstage so you should not wear your hair like that." Little did they know their words had inspired me to become a performer...