World of Weird Al Yankovic

Does anyone know anything about an interview Al did with The Beastie Boys' old magazine Grand Royal quite a few years ago? Apparently, Al was interviewed by the drummer of the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Mike D. of The Beastie Boys, and in the middle of the interview they had arranged for Spike Jonze (director of "Being John Malkovich" and "Adaptation"....not the novelty song guy) to show up and pretend to be a crazed Al fan. He was acting all nuts and throwing out ideas for song parodies and Al didn't know quite how to react.



Well, this is all second-hand stuff I found recounted at various websites, but I can't find a transcript of the actual article!!! Anyone out there have it, or know where I can find it? The issue of GR (#3) is up for auction on eBay, but I was wondering if anyone here just had a link to the article or something before I spend 10 bucks+ on the mag.



Thanks,

Meadows

I have that issue and that's pretty much how it went down. I think Yoko Ono's in there somewhere too. It's a long interview, quite possibly the longest interview I've ever read with Al. It goes on for about 10 pages, really tiny type, so there's lots of info.



Dave

I have the actual article in 10 separate pdf files. I can email them to anyone who wants them -- just PM me.



El

I have that issue and that's pretty much how it went down. I think Yoko Ono's in there somewhere too. It's a long interview, quite possibly the longest interview I've ever read with Al. It goes on for about 10 pages, really tiny type, so there's lots of info.

Dave

Ya Yoko Ono appears and surprises the heck out of Al cuz hes talkin about Gee Im a Nerd. I like it because EVERY word from the interveiw is on there. Even when theyre ordering food. Mike. D was apparently a big fan of Living With Hernia.

Absolutely right. The interview happened around I would guess about March of 1996, and the interviewers are Russell Simins of Jon Spenser Blues Explosion and Mike Diamond of the Beastie Boys with a cameo by Spike Jonze -- quoting from the article -- "in deep cover as an obsessed and seriously injured Weird Al fanatic" named "Tamara Yasoo", a guy in a conservative suit, tie, and ... neck brace. :nervous: Funny, funny stuff.



Although there's a wee bit of fluff in it ["That angel hair pompadoro here is amazing, I had that last night." -- Zzzzz...], the article is highly detailed and actually a lot of fun to read. Russell and Mike are obviously fans and basically tell Al as much ["Like in The Compleat Al video, when you go to visit Michael Jackson ... That's genius."]. As good fans, they also ask very good questions ["You know those Yoda pillowcases {in the "Midnight Star" mini-video also in The Compleat Al}? Are those yours? Where'd you get those?" ].



Also, what is rather cool about this interview is this is the first one after the "Coolio Incident", and Al relates the details of how this all happened -- I'd consider this one of the most complete explanations of it in print. It is also prominent since the interview was so soon after the incident, the details would be freshest in his mind.



He also gives details about his appearance on Wheel Of Fortune with Little Richard and James Brown ["No, James, when you spin the wheel you have to pick a consonant." "Oh, okay, Europe!" ] and the Harvey Leeds video for "State Of Shock" on The Compleat Al. There's also a few little known secrets about Al's songs -- did you know the Bart Simpson segment in the middle of "Phony Calls" was originally to be Beavis and Butthead making a prank call??? [Unfortunately, Mike Judge was busy making the Beavis And Butthead Do America movie at the time.] And did you know Al had wanted to do a full parody of Beck's "Loser" entitled "I'm A Schmoozer"? [Beck really was sick of the song by then and wanted it to "die a quiet death", but Al talked him into using the polka version instead.]



And yes, Yoko Ono and Sean Lennon both make a brief appearance in the article. At the time, Russell was touring with Yoko Ono and heard from her that Al approached her about "Gee I'm A Nerd". So Russell arranged for Yoko to wander by the table in the middle of the interview, just as Al begins to talk about the song [with prodding from Russell]. Al maintains composure but is obviously a bit freaked. As Russell said in the story, "I freaked out Al Yankovic; I can die now." :biggrin:



I really love this mag and the interview. If you can get a copy of it, I recommend it highly. It's among my favorites. [PS: It also has an interesting interview with Wendy Carlos elsewhere in the issue -- though no mention of Peter And The Wolf ...]



Hope that helps!



Dr. Dad / Jim

This was when Grand Royal was in its prime. Also, the interview was the only non synthesizer related article in the magazine.

And did you know Al had wanted to do a full parody of Beck's "Loser" entitled "I'm A Schmoozer"? [Beck really was sick of the song by then and wanted it to "die a quiet death", but Al talked him into using the polka version instead.]

I thought that was one of the funniest things in the article (thanks again for sending it, El!): Al writing to Beck and saying, "If anyone can kill off a song, I can kill it."



IIRC, Al also promised to do the same service for Jimmy Webb, who was pretty darn sick of MacArthur Park (I thought I remembered reading in some Hollywood Bowl program notes that he wrote it when he was a lovesick 16-year-old, but the copyright date would suggest that he was a lovesick 22-year-old)

Hey. Is anyone able to transcript it into word instead of acrobat? Acrobat takes FOREVER on my computer. Or whatever it is. If not send it to me. Thanks.



Now I have Beastie Boys stuck in my head.

"What Time is it? It's time to get AL"

FINALLY putting it up online.
Here's part one:
http://yerdoingreat.wordpress.com/2014/ ... -yankovic/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Posting it in parts this week!

Part 2 of 5 is up. Spike Jonze shows up disguised as a crazed Al fan.....
https://yerdoingreat.wordpress.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Jon Spencer Blues Explosion & SF NPR station KQED both gave us a link yesterday!