VIRTUALITY PRESS Interview with LONG ISLAND MUSIC SCENE Online When did you first begin rocking out, and what was the scene like in those days? The first time I had a Pepsi (being a Coke kinda cat) I really rocked out and it wasn't a nice warm feeling. To this day it has an adverse effect on my physiological well-being, so much so that I can't even recall how long ago that was... Oops! I think you were refering to music. Well, in that case, to ascertain the exact time, date and place when I began 'rockin out' would be like asking Jack LaLane when he lifted his first ankle weight, lol! Seriously, though, I've been a musician since the ripe young age of 8, if I recollect correctly.   Who were some of your early influences, and who are some contemporary artists that you admire? Well, to this day I still have a fond appreciation for the 'artists' I grew up on, if not proper respect, too. I would consider my 'early influences' as valid as my 'contemporary ones' and since my inspiration knows no bounds, I will endeavor to create a short (relatively speaking) list now (in no particular order, of course): Fates Warning, Rush, Dream Theater, Dokken, Queensrÿche, Journey, Ice T, Run DMC, Penthouse Players Clique, Tim Dog, Earth Wind & Fire, James Brown, Prince, Sade, Chic, Greyhaven, Asia, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kitaro, Tangerine Dream, Beethoven, Stravinsky, Berlioz, The Rippingtons, Dave Weckl, Marty Stuart, Enchant, Michael Jackson, Engine, Yes, David Arkenstone, Steve Roach, Marillion, and the list goes on...   What is your favorite album by The Who, and why? Well, If I answered that I would have to answer the next question, and besides the fact I don't want to come off too much more like an out-of-touch, anachronistic throwback to an earlier time (say, uh, the Cretaceous era), I will have to take the diplomatic stance, and say, 'the first one when they first burst onto the scene in the glory under a raging moon'. Actually, I'm not too much a fan of classic rock, so I can only say I dig quite a number of songs by the Who, but I've never actually owned any albums (can I still use that word?) by them.   What is your favorite album by The Doors, and why? To paraphrase myself, once again, "I can only say I dig quite a number of songs by the Who, but I've never actually owned any albums (can I still use that word?) by them." If you were to ask me my favorite 70's soundtrack on 8-track, or favorite Fleetwood Mac album or even favorite album by Bartok, then I would be able, willing and justified in answering the question. Sorry, never a big Doors fan. Although the R&B group, Innocence did a killer ambient jazz version of 'Riders on the Storm'.   What are your some of your favorite memories from rocking out on Long Island? I grew up in the heydey of live music, man, and, curse the Reagan years, trickle down economics, and the 'greed/me decade' of the 80's. Much to my dismay, when I look back on the LI music scene from, say '89 to '95, I can honestly say there was alot happening. Of course, over the course of the last 7-8 years, the live music scene has become but a fading shadow of what it's grandeur once was, but I remember Sundance, the Roxy, Spit, Sparks, Ronnie V's, the Continental, etc, etc, etc, et al, ad naseum, ad infinitum. My favorite memory? Hmmm... Probably any one of the various Fates Warning & Dream Theater gigs at Sundance. Speaking of which I also remember, avoid the bathroom at Sundance like the plague (I'm sure there was a correlation between the two).   What's coming up next for Scott Mosher that we should all be watching out for? My inevitable grand entrance and nomination at the Grammy Awards! While can blame a guy for having high standards, right? Well, baring my relocation BACK to the NY area within the next few months (planing is underway even as I type), I can honestly say I have composed most of the music for my next cd, which, while not departing drastically from the style I've harvested on VIRTUALITY, will be keeping me busy until the end of 2002, I would imagine. I don't know WHERE, WHEN and HOW I am going to fit the attempt to run for a congressional seat or the local Meat Cutter's union in my schedule...   If Apollo Creed had fought Clubber Lang, each in the prime of their boxing careers, who would have won, and why? Well, of course, Apollo had those damn funky American flag trunks (not to mention he was also 'Action Jackson' co-staring Craig T 'Coach' Nelson), though Mr. T pitied and whooped ass on many poor fools on 'The A-Team' (and was in the first 2 ever Wrestlemania's, I and II respectively), so, though it would be a close battle royale, at the end of the day, T's gold-chained wracked motif would lay the smack down on Carl Weathers gluteus maximus in a close, 12-round title fight. I could see Keith David (of THEY LIVE/MEN AT WORK/PLATOON/PITCH BLACK-fame) serving as guest referee for this classic confrontation.   What gear do you like to use? Ibanez 7-string, ole Marshall combo speaker, Korg Triton workstation, Kramer bass, Todd Corsa's vocal chords, a case of Dr. Pepper, and anything else people are willing to donate.   What isn't an Olympic event, but should be? Well, I've always pondered the lack of fly fishing, professional bowling, cave troll tossing, and pub darts in the summer Olympics. I would imagine if there were a Fall Olympic event established, the former 4 professional sports would HAVE to be included. Of course, the converse to your original question could be: "What is an Olympic event, but SHOULDN'T be", and, the obligatory answer to THAT, of course, would be... synchronized swimming?   Favorite member of The Monkees, and why? I always dug the mysterious '5th Monkee' that no one seems to remember, hence, he get's no respect or props whatsoever. Wasn't his name Dick Clark or something along those lines? Damn that guy still looks like a teenager, eh?   What contemporary male performer most needs to get a grip, and why? Kurt Thomas, Mr. Former Gymnastic olympiad (not to beat the dead horse that is the Olympic theme running through this interview). I know he established himself as quite the accomplished and consummate gold medalist. I'm sure if he got a grip he could enter once again and probably place relatively high in the current standings.   What is the one thing that you like the most about the Long Island music scene? Haha! That I don't have to perform in it at all... (scene, what scene?)   If you would like to see one thing change about the local scene here, what would be it be? I would think demolishing plenty of the old and abandoned buildings and getting proper investors to turn them into a proper venue for local, independent music and events, perhaps focusing on all of the arts in some way shape or form. No Pepsico beverages though.   Give us a few pearls of wisdom for any up-and-coming local musicians who are trying to make a splash. What are some do's and dont's? Do perform original music. Don't forget to thank your mother in your first CD liner notes. Do attempt to work diversity and improvisation into your music from time to time. Don't work your floor pedals while wearing rubber boots in an outdoor venue during a rainstorm. Do enlist the aid of a professional graphic artist like myself (www.theambientmind.com) to do your design on your CD project(s). Don't ever be caught with your hands in the collective band financial cookie jar and expect to be in said band a week later.   Where will Scott Mosher be in 2003? Probably still typing the answers to this interview. And if he is done, hopefully he will stop talking about himself (atleast in the third person like he's a professional wrestler, a marvel supervillian or Supermarket store manager). Although, if I have my druthers, I would prefer to be a gainfully employed graphic artist, studio musician working on CD #4, environmental activist with a penchant for wolves, and perhaps working on my third screenplay (look, I would write LETHAL WEAPON 8, I've no problem with that).   How would you describe your current sound/style? Ambient, neo-progressive rock. That's the short version.   Give us a funny Todd Corso story, and a funny Mickey James story. Todd Corso story? I don't know the guy. But I can give you a funny Todd Corsa story. The only problem is, If I offend him (you know how sensitive bassists-turned guitarists-turned vocalists are) in any manner, I'll have to sing the next CD myself, and I wouldn't wish that upon my most ardent foe at this point! As for Mickey, well, just go see his band, EARTH EATZ DOG. They rock. But you'll see why I call him the 'Stevie Wonder of bass'. He's got his moves, man! Vibin'...   What are some of your favorite films? I'm a movie buff, so you may have just asked the wrong question there, bud. Let me start off by saying: Lord of the Rings! Breathtaking... Captivating... Greatest movie of all time (well, atleast in my humble opinion). Ok, besides that one? Dances With Wolves, Devils Advocate, Unbreakable, The Thing, Hellraiser I & II, Terminator I & II, the Matrix, Serpent & The Rainbow, Spaceballs, Jurassic Park, Naked Gun I & II, Airplane!, Men at Work, Three O'Clock High, Breakfast Club, Boyz in the Hood, Training Day, Waiting to Exhale, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Hard Way, Die Hard I, II & III, and the list goes on...   What are some of your favorite movie soundtracks? Now your talking! I find great inspiration in many film scores. The cinematic experience is more than just the visceral moving images on the screen, but also the relationship with the musical soundtrack, and some of my favorite composers (and thusly, personally influential) are: Brad Fidel (Serpent and the Rainbow, Terminator I & II), Paul Haslinger (Planetary Traveler), Thomas Newman (Erin Brockavich, American Beauty, Traffic), Maurice Jarre (Ghost, Jacobs Ladder), Christopher Young (Hellrasier I & II) and so on and so forth.   Page or Plant? And kindly explain your answer. Well, how about Lenny Wolf and David Coverdale. Honestly. How about those Arizona Diamondbacks, eh?   What are some of your favorite 8-track cassettes from the 70's? I'm probably going to have to jump start my collective cognitive memory on this one. Actually, the 8-tracks I remember were actually my mother's so please don't hold it against me. Atleast I got a wide range of diverse musical listening pleasure: Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, Billy Joel - Glass Houses, Earth Wind & Fire - Greatest Hits, Aldo Nova, and Fleetwood Mac - Tusk. That said, I'm looking to join an active grass-roots campaign to bring back the 8-track.   What is your favorite Fleetwood Mac album, and why? Rumors, of course. Does anything else need to be said? The band at their peak, and all 5 members collaborating, forming a cohesive, well-defined, musically adventureous collection of pop masterpieces.   What is your favorite Bartok album, and why? Well, Op.11 (Duke Bluebeard's Castle (A Kékszakállú herceg vára)) of course. Doesn't everyone own that one?   And lastly, create a question of your own, and provide us with the answer. Using the rational formula of the circumference of an object the mass of a white dwarf star, multiplied by the force of the pull of the lunar ocean upon the distant vortex of the black hole M31 in Cyngus Vii approximately 12 light years from our galaxy, divided by the kinetic energy of nuclear fission at the sub-atomic level measured in nanometers, and converted into increments of cubic square feet, kindly determine the amount of licks it takes to get to the center of a Tootsie Roll Tootsie Pop®. The answer is 6. Thank you and have a good day (Ouch, my tongue is still stuck in cheek)...