09/18/06 Radio interview on WZPL

[weird_indiana]

I will try and capture the audio from it monday morning.

[Demented Dustin]

Wow...I just got back from Michigan to this news. I was in fact going to post that on Friday on WZPL around 4pm W & N was played with a great reaction from the DJ. She said it was "outstanding" and the funniest Weird Al song she has ever heard. My sister is kinda friends with Smiley and should be a good interviewer. He tends to be on the spot for being outrageous and funny most of the time but his interviews are generally well done. I just wish I knew the exact time so I could listen or tape it. If anyone captures it let me know so I can hear it. I have to be at work at 8am so my chances are slim to listen to it as it airs. Thanks a million for the heads up! Why would Al come to IN? To see his IN fans! He actually is popular here as it is a regular touring spot but my guess is this will be a phone interview.
Dustin

[Demented Dustin]

I called WZPL this morning and according to the guy who answered the phone Weird Al is indeed here in Indianapolis! I asked if he was going to be on via phone and the guy said no way...he is really in studio! This will drive me nuts knowing Al is making a rare non-concert stop to Indy and it doesn't look like he is making a public appearance...anyhow I can't wait to hear the clip!
He is going to be on during the 9am hour

[cody]

sorry guys, I didn't get this recorded (connection problems)

I will get the Bob and Tom one though

[SmileyGirl87]

Is it sad I am now missing my Spanish class because I just HAPPENED to see this show was on at about 5 after 9 and consequently came to the ultimate decision that Weird Al was more important than Elementary Spanish today?



I regret nothing.

I'd be happy to give a brief overview of what was said (or as much as I can remember..I was going to transcribe the interview, but I was shaking too much), unless someone got a record...in which case..I become obsolete.

The whole session was a bit spoilerish, but as far as interviews go..it was cute, but you didn't miss much...the DJs seemed so excited AL was even in studio and that they had a legit copy of SOL...well...is anyone interested in hearing this?

[Driew_La_27]

Give it all to us SG!!

[thatoneguy]

Al was on at 9:00am. I wasn't able to call in or record it. I wasn't even able to hear most of it.

I hope somebody got it recorded.

[SmileyGirl87]

Here's as much as I can remember...*racks brain*

Weird Al came on a little bit after 9...I'm really glad I stuck around through the "Meal, or No Meal?" segment, even after the caller finally picked the oven with only ONE sandwich in it. They went to commercial, and I was starting to think that maybe I had missed the segment, etc...After commercial, the DJs seemed excited (or maybe I was subconciously redirecting my excitement through them?) and asked if Al was ready for them. I cannot stress enough how happy they were to have AL in studio!!! (WELL, wouldn't we ALL?!? ) They muddled through some of the typical, "you-should-do-your-homework-before-asking-these-questions' humdrum, including "Do you write your own material? (They must've asked this question three different ways before finally getting the hint! Al is so polite, he kept re-explaining..."Nope, no staff writers, just my wacky ideas!") I really feel they were so star struck they didn't know what to say, these DJs had been big fans for years...They also asked what number ALbum this was for Al, if he'd ever been denied parodies over the years (Al mentioned Symbol Man, but said that he wouldn't release names of specific songs he'd been considering). They seemed shocked that he would turn Al down! DJs also asked if he was married (yes) what Suzanne's profession was, (Studio Exec to now, "Mrs. Weird Al" as Al put it) how the two had met (Bill Mumy), and whether he had children. (Of course, darling little 3 1/2 year old Nina!) Honestly, that's more than half the interview right there, because the DJs decided they needed to world premiere about half the album. SPOILER They ran all the way through Polkarama, partially through Canadian Idiot, all of Confessions Part III, part of CBNC although surprisingly only a snibbit of DDTS and W&N. I was a little surprised they wanted to 'waste' so much of the interview playing the album, but Al was a good sport, of course, and happily listened. Ok, so I'm projecting he listened happily but he didn't leave... They asked if Al came up with songs while listening to the radio, and he explained, yes, that was pretty much the process. "I have to listen to a lot of Top 40." The questions were all very standard, nothing out of the ordinary.

The first caller said she had a friend who made up HILARIOUS (*cough*notsomuch*cough*) dances to various Top 40 songs, and that said friend should collaborate with Al, and who could they contacts regarding this? Al gently directed said wacky friend to Dr. Demento. (Let's face it, the man doesn't NEED help!) Another caller described how her son had been born the day Star Wars Ep 1 came out, and that TSB was his unofficial theme song! Same caller also thanked Al for bridging the "generational gap" in her family, from her 83 year old grandmother downward. A real "awww" moment for us fans.

Apparently the boys (DJs) didn't even KNOW Al put on live shows , and asked if he did...he offered them tickets, and reaffirmed the tour would be "summer 2007, maybe a little earlier than that." Didn't mention any dates, or locations as of yet, not that anyone would be expecting that.

The DJs threw in a tiny bit of torture by playing THEIR Chamillionaire parody (which they admitted was downright terrible), and had them basically talking over one part of the chorus..they oh-so-graciously left Cham's original opening, to edit in "Riding Weiner" (It's nowhere near as awful as it sounds..the female DJ had been riding in the Oscar Meyer Weinermobile that day) and Al kidded and said it would be "stuck in his head all day." They also played a one-liner (just the hook of a parody) about Peyton Manning not calling the station, which I guess would be funny to those in the area(?) and they must've played the clip about 5 times, but it was funny in context, and it is SO wonderful, and long overdue to hear Al laughing!!!! *Al Gal heart thumps wildly*

Other than the above, they reiterated the release date (which Al had to remind them of every single time, they seemed to think it was weeks away), thanked Al for being part of the show, and did a little reminiscing with Amish Paradise, and looking at the OTDE cover.

DJ-"I remember the Smells Like Nirvana Album!"
Al-"Oh, the Smells Like Nirvana song?

*sigh* gotta love Al...

Another classic moment:

DJ(remembering)-"Oh and you did Bad, and Eat It?"
Al-"Uh-huh"
DJ-"...That's it. There's no story"
Al laughs

WELL it was certainly a slice of heaven to hear AL this morning, and I'm sorry to all I don't have recording capabilities...but like I said, if you're avoiding hearing the AL-bum ahead of time, you probably wouldn't have wanted to hear much of this segment ANYway...hope my brief summary gives you a little slice of AL in Indy this morning!

*collapses*

[Kevbo1987]

Thanks for the summary, Cat! It sounds like it was a fun interview, and the fact that the tour might start a little earlier than summer makes me very happy.

[Squirrelygirl]

Rather startling that said "big fan" DJs didn't know Al did live show One quick look at Al's website would have given them a clue.

Oh well... Wonder what Al was doing in Indianapolis? I can't imagine he went all the way there just for a quick radio interview.

I need to contact Ronn Owens and let him know Al is starting to get out and about with new songs.