Scott McCloud is the guitarist and singer in NYC-based band Girls Against Boys. Their new album, You Can't Fight What You Can't See, is out now on Jade Tree.
Current fixations:
Music: Berlin electro, especially song that goes "I want to make love to a mannequin." Book: House of Leaves, excellent horror novel. and TV, like everyone else, it seems, I am transfixed by The Osbournes. (Ozzy's "Blizzard of Oz" tour was my first concert at age 13, I am amazed he's still got it going on.)
Mind-altering work of art:
Jackson Pollack paintings, ditto for Andy Warhol stuff, Henry Miller books, Breathless by Jean-Luc Goddard.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
The first real punk rock show I saw was Scream (DC Dischord vets) at the old 9:30 Club in DC. This is when I realised what was possible. It was better than Ozzy.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Sitting in an airplane on the way to do an English tour in 1996, and listening to the just-released House Of GVSB. I felt extremely satisfied at 30,000 feet.
Low: the last four years of banging my head against the wall, or several walls, roaming NYC trying to figure out what the fuck to do.
What should everyone shut up about?
Newness. Everyone should shut about wanting everything to be new (and often "improved").
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
The return of Guy Debord and the Situationists. Back from the dead.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like my cordiality, and I dislike my megalomania.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Arrogant opportunism I find extremely unattractive, that and a lack of any sort of generosity. Of course I am probably guilty of these things as well. I should kick myself of both bed and band.
When I think of Canada I think:
Of Toronto and a dingy Chinese restaurant my old band soul side played in years ago. I also think of Lee's Palace.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Bagel coffee paper in morning, followed by cigarette (gotta quit, really it's nearly $7 a pack now in NYC) and then a drink at around 8 p.m. with friends.
How do you spoil yourself?
Afternoon Hollywood-style escapist movie, followed ruminations on the future of leisure.
What was your most memorable day job?
I worked as a film PA for several years in NYC, which basically involved me daydreaming all day while driving around trucks full of equipment. Mind numbing, yet mind freeing as well.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
I'd be working in film, walking around with a script in my hand saying "someday I hope to direct."
What is your greatest fear?
Getting to the end of this and realising I didn't do everything I wanted to do.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Airports, hotel rooms, travel in general. I don't know what's erotic about airports, but its definitely there.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Both involve a similar letting go of yourself. I think they are very similar.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
I was standing in an elevator with Dennis Hopper in Prague, and he looked just as freaked out as he did in Blue Velvet. Otherwise I would have said something.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Marquis De Sade & Marilyn Monroe. Maybe both, I serve pan-seared tuna and an excellent white wine and just watch them interact. Or, Mae West would probably out-entertain both of them.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
My mom's more into rock music than I am, she put me up to this whole thing, and lately she's pretty aggravated about the nu-metal stuff.
Current fixations:
Music: Berlin electro, especially song that goes "I want to make love to a mannequin." Book: House of Leaves, excellent horror novel. and TV, like everyone else, it seems, I am transfixed by The Osbournes. (Ozzy's "Blizzard of Oz" tour was my first concert at age 13, I am amazed he's still got it going on.)
Mind-altering work of art:
Jackson Pollack paintings, ditto for Andy Warhol stuff, Henry Miller books, Breathless by Jean-Luc Goddard.
Most memorable or inspirational gig and why?
The first real punk rock show I saw was Scream (DC Dischord vets) at the old 9:30 Club in DC. This is when I realised what was possible. It was better than Ozzy.
What has been your career high and low?
High: Sitting in an airplane on the way to do an English tour in 1996, and listening to the just-released House Of GVSB. I felt extremely satisfied at 30,000 feet.
Low: the last four years of banging my head against the wall, or several walls, roaming NYC trying to figure out what the fuck to do.
What should everyone shut up about?
Newness. Everyone should shut about wanting everything to be new (and often "improved").
I would drop everything to play a benefit for:
The return of Guy Debord and the Situationists. Back from the dead.
What trait do you like and dislike most about yourself?
I like my cordiality, and I dislike my megalomania.
What would make you kick someone out of your band and/or bed, and have you?
Arrogant opportunism I find extremely unattractive, that and a lack of any sort of generosity. Of course I am probably guilty of these things as well. I should kick myself of both bed and band.
When I think of Canada I think:
Of Toronto and a dingy Chinese restaurant my old band soul side played in years ago. I also think of Lee's Palace.
What is your vital daily ritual?
Bagel coffee paper in morning, followed by cigarette (gotta quit, really it's nearly $7 a pack now in NYC) and then a drink at around 8 p.m. with friends.
How do you spoil yourself?
Afternoon Hollywood-style escapist movie, followed ruminations on the future of leisure.
What was your most memorable day job?
I worked as a film PA for several years in NYC, which basically involved me daydreaming all day while driving around trucks full of equipment. Mind numbing, yet mind freeing as well.
If I wasn't playing music I would be:
I'd be working in film, walking around with a script in my hand saying "someday I hope to direct."
What is your greatest fear?
Getting to the end of this and realising I didn't do everything I wanted to do.
If you had a superpower, what would it be?
Invisibility.
What makes you want to take it off and get it on?
Airports, hotel rooms, travel in general. I don't know what's erotic about airports, but its definitely there.
Music and sex: Is there a difference? Why?
Both involve a similar letting go of yourself. I think they are very similar.
Strangest brush with celebrity:
I was standing in an elevator with Dennis Hopper in Prague, and he looked just as freaked out as he did in Blue Velvet. Otherwise I would have said something.
Who would be your ideal dinner guest, living or dead, and what would you serve them?
Marquis De Sade & Marilyn Monroe. Maybe both, I serve pan-seared tuna and an excellent white wine and just watch them interact. Or, Mae West would probably out-entertain both of them.
What does your mom wish you were doing instead?
My mom's more into rock music than I am, she put me up to this whole thing, and lately she's pretty aggravated about the nu-metal stuff.