A SPINONLINE CONFERENCE WITH BRUCE MCCULLOCH OF KIDS IN THE HALL
Wednesday, April 12, 1995 9:00 pm ET.
OnlineHost : Best-known as Kathy with a "K," Gavin, and Cabbage Head Man, with the Canadian comedy troupe, The Kids in the Hall,
Bruce McCulloch is also a playwright, film-maker, and musician.
OnlineHost : Falling somewhere between spoken-word, folk, rock, and comedy, McCulloch's new album,
"Shame-Based Man," is a musical journey through the depths of dysfunctional, needy love and the lonely lives of the trapped, inebriated, and out-of-shape.
OnlineHost : Tonight is your opportunity to find out how and why McCulloch knows this terrain so well.
(Jim Morrison fans in the audience are welcome to leave now. Bruce does not like you. There's an interesting discussion over in the Mobile Business Forum
that you may enjoy) Before you leave, however, be sure to stop into the SPINonline Multimedia Gallery and download some pictures and sound clips off of McCulloch's new album.
OnlineHost : Without further delay, Bruce McCulloch... Bruce is in Toronto tonight. He has a ghost typist, so don't blame him for typos and misspellings.
NapSPIN : Hi Bruce.
BruceMcClh : Hello there
NapSPIN : Let's get some questions going.
Question : Have you always been musical, Bruce? Do you play any instruments on your new album?
BruceMcClh : Um, I played Recorder in grade 3 but then the spit started to scare me.
I don't play anything on my new record. The world desn't need another guitarist.
Question : Will any music videos be made for any tracks on "Shame-Based Man"?
BruceMcClh : I will be making one. I don't know which one yet, maybe answering machine?
I made a short film of Eraserhead for SNL. And maybe we'll use that as the video
NapSPIN : I'd just like to say that we called Bruce (He's in Toronto right now) and he does, in fact screen... his calls.
BruceMcClh : yes i do
Question : for bruce mcculloch: Will you eventually direct a feature film?
I think your short films are brilliant!
BruceMcClh : Well thank you Sir or Madam, unless of course you are a group of people.
I will direct a feature. I've written one called : "Work" That Lorne Michaels' company is setting up for me
NapSPIN : GrClemon : Bruce.. why wasn't the Terrier song on your album (which is amazing by the way)?
Any hopes of it being a B-side on a CD single or something? Is there a single?
BruceMcClh : Oh, Terrier's I've forgot all about it. I knew I had forgotten something & I kept thinking it was Happy Birthday
The Terriers....It seems to much to me like the days I know & since I've bought a poodle, I don't want to be a phoney
NapSPIN : Jaquineta : Is there any hope of a Kids in the Hall Reunion?
BruceMcClh : Well sad to say contrary to popular belief the Kids in the Hall have not broken up
In fact we are together in a room eating sandwiches discussing the production schedule on a film we are doing this summer
NapSPIN : Tell us more about the film KITH are working on...
BruceMcClh : We're not supposed to talk about it but I will. It's called "The Drug" although Scott hates the title
It's a narrative about a ficticious Drug that moves through society and we're still writing it
Question : To fill the necessary US conference "Barbara Walters" requirement: If you are what you eat, what are you?
BruceMcClh : Coffee Water Coffee and most importantly myself
Question : Do you plan on doing movies like the SNL crew?
BruceMcClh : I might do some more short films but as far as BIG TIME COMEDY I'm more interested in doing my own stuff or stuff with the kids
Question : What is the character from Kids in the Hall that you relate to the most?
BruceMcClh : Well it changes. For a while I thought it was Cabbage Head When I thought I was going through a bad time for
about an hour one night I thought it was the flying pig and now as I sit in my glasses watching TV I think it's Kathy
Question : I heard you killed a man before, is that true? and if so what did you use to get the flesh out from under your fingernails?
BruceMcClh : Clearly if I killed a man or, say, a group of men, I wouldn't as we used to say around the warehouse,
"Blab about it."
Question : Bruce, are you happy or angry at Mark McKinney getting the lead role in TALKRADIO?
BruceMcClh : Well I'm confused 'cause it's Dave who got the lead but don't worry
I always mix those guys up too and in truth I mix up happy & angry alot
Question : Bruce: how does it feel to be an international sex symbol?
BruceMcClh : Well I haven't spoken to Fabio recently but I hope returns my lipstick written letter. I'll tell you one day
Question : Bruce, how did you come up with the flying pig skit?
BruceMcClh : I was walking past a bank machine and as i always do
I imagine weird things going on around me I thought of the flying pig it seemed and idea too stupid for our show but i wrote it up anyway
Question : I have been getting disconected from AOL constantly. Usually 2-3 times per use. It is stating an error in my manager.aol.
What can I do to stop this??
BruceMcClh : Go to the graveyard and complain about your enemies and look to the stars for what you need
that or consult your handbook that should be located on your desk between your phonebook and your bible
NapSPIN : User friendly. You should be a tech support guy.
Question : Brucio, what do you think about the writing on Saturday Night Live and how much more of your work will you be contributing?
BruceMcClh : I haven't seen SNL it sounds like bullsh*t but it's true
Question : What other bands do you listen to (are you influenced by) other than The Doors? (BTW, the album's GREAT!) - Kristin Egan & Jen Wu
BruceMcClh : Well finally you guys took you long enough to call in
I love of course the tragically hip the black crowes they might be giants and all that other stuff that you like too
Question : Bruce where are you?
BruceMcClh : where I always am: in my beanbag chair with my unicorn shirt on, watching the News
Question : Bruce, what is your current love situation?
Question : I love the show. But one question. Why is it that you crossdress so much?
It seems...weird, yet strangely humorous.
BruceMcClh : Well, we're five guys. we started in Canada where as you may know there are no Women
truthfully there are 3 women but we're not good enough for them
NapSPIN : Bruce can you tell us about the band you worked with on the new album?
BruceMcClh : The Band was spear-headed by axesmith genius and one of my oldest friends Brian Connelly
Who is the Guitarist from our house band, The Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet, and Bobby Wiseman who had records
out on his own that are fantastic plus the other people like the cello player say.. or just people we woke up in the middle of the night and made them come help us
Question : Do you still eat things for money?
BruceMcClh : Yeah, I eat money for money but unfortunately I always break even
Question : Name your favorite KITH character?
BruceMcClh : Buddy Cole but will that guy shut up!....I actually really love one of Marks newer characters called the please please please guy
Question : Hi Bruce. I want to know who chooses the opera that are in some of your sketches. Do you like opera?
BruceMcClh : Um...I like marching band music. You know, High school marching band music.
And the music is chosen probably chosen by whoever wrote the scene your looking at. In my case, I usually choose the music first
Question : Do you watch the show News Radio?
BruceMcClh : I have not seen it but i heard it's very good & uh...
Question : when did you find out that you wanted to go into comedy
BruceMcClh : When i went to buisness school I took a two year course in business and it only lasted two months
i started doing improv comedy & I thought to myself "finally............."
Question : Bruce, you have directed some great episodes for KITH.
Do you have any influences in your filmmaking?
BruceMcClh : Well I actually I like rock videos in a way I like Roman Polanski and David Lynch
I guess and thank you by the way
Question : Why the title "Shame-Based Man?"
BruceMcClh : Good question. I almost called it spoken weather man I don't know why either.
I think "Shame-Based Man" means that everything we've ever done & seen is in us every hangover or time we yelled at waitness is in us is that too serious?
Question : What will you be doing now that Kids in the Hall is over
BruceMcClh : Umm...keep working. I always think that I am a writer and i've been writing furiosly with the troupe and on my own
& I'm doing a lot of stuff that in truth it is too soon to talk about
Question : Will you marry me?
BruceMcClh : Although I enjoy your persistance having not met you and not being what we used to call the marrying kind
I have to say regretfully my sweet love soft shimmering no...............
NapSPIN : That was, perhaps, the most touching moment I've ever seen in an AOL conference room.
Question : Will you be touring the East Coast again?
BruceMcClh : The troupe when we get drunk and hopped-up on pancakes like to talk about the BIG tour but....
as of yet we havn't quite figured out a time when we are all free we hope to do some shows or a "tour" as rock bands call it when our film is done
NapSPIN : Are you going to be touring for your new album -- by yourself or with your band?
BruceMcClh : I've talked about it with the record company. in the states & canada I would like to do some shows just a few if i can figure out times to do it
Question : Where did you get the inspiration for Gavin? Were there ever any Gavin concepts or skits that never made it?
BruceMcClh : I don't know where I got the inspiration for the young Gavin
I will say that the first Gavin though I sat down & wrote in about 5 minutes so I think that character must have been knocking around inside me for
a while & I have or had...lots of Gavin ideas that I never wrote up but I guess we can all say that about all our characters
Question : Are you still friends with any of the other Kids in the Hall?
BruceMcClh : Although I forget their specific names & the features on their faces,
I love them very much & see them all the time
Question : Bruce, love ya, babe! I drove all the way to Toronto from Chicago, just to wait in line to maybe get a seat at 'Kids'.
Tell me, how do you feel about Dave's recent 'Kids' bashing?
BruceMcClh : First of all the such a long journey just to stand in line next time you should drive from Chicago
and actually see us and I don't think Dave has done a KITH bashing. it should all be taken with a sense of humor
Question : Did Lorne Michaels ask all the Kids to be on SNL?
BruceMcClh : I don't think so. It would be weird if we were....no?
Question : Bruce, what inspired the roadkill scraper guy sketch? And what does it mean?
BruceMcClh : Well, like a lot of my stuff I don't know what it means when I write something.
I usually think of am image or a line of dialogue. For me it was a guy lying in bed staring at a fly. I wrote it from there I guess though
...it's about a guy who dropped out of high school and could never forget it
Question : I think Kids in the Hall are comic geniuses. I'm reminded of Monty Python. Does the show have outside writers,
or does all the creative juice come from the Kids.
BruceMcClh : Well. I'm sad to say I haven't seen any new shows lately. What's up?
young friend there are over 750,000 writing any kids in the hall show
I know that may sound like a lot but in truth where was a couple of guys who really didn't write that much at all
Question : How do you like Dave Foley's new sitcom? His hair looks sad. We miss the'Kids'...
BruceMcClh : his hair looks sad.... (laughing) what a cool thing to say I haven't seen his show but
we are getting together tomorrow at noon & I promise I will sneak a good look at that hair
Question : Is the french-canadian god awful pop star Mitsou in any way have to do with tammy? why didn't she get a song?
BruceMcClh : Uh...I think Tammy is a bit like Mitsou I somehow thought she was like Marilyn Monroe.
I don't think like in looks or something, but pout
Question : Do you want your own tv series, too?
BruceMcClh : I had my own TV series. It was fun. It was a lot of work I am tired
Question : Do you have a method for creating your material? Does it just come to you or do you have to force yourself to brainstorm?
BruceMcClh : Um...I write a lot but only when I want remember two things or i always try to:
1: all writing is improv 2: everything you write doesn't have to be good
Question : Do you identify strongly with Jim Morrison--his life as well as his music??
BruceMcClh : Not really. I see more angst & pain in the work of the Pet Shop Boys than in Mr. M
Question : Bruce do you smoke marijuana?
BruceMcClh : No I haven't in years & years. Something about the way people hold it & pass around that I've never understood
Question : Where did "Kids in the Hall" get their start?? In high school or something??
BruceMcClh : I knew Mark Mckinny since Calgary we worked together in college doing improv
& writing scenes we moved to toronto & met up with the other guys I think that's how it happened or else we were astronauts....it's all a blur now.....
NapSPIN : Zelig 1 : bruce, do you believe in an afterlife? if so, for recording. please explain your idea of it
BruceMcClh : .well thats a good question isn't it....um...I think after ones dead other people in their family
bolt through thier stufff & devide it that my friend...
NapSPIN : Trypps : if you could be any bodypart of any celebrity, what part and who?
BruceMcClh : Why does it have to be a celebrity why can't it be a security gueard or a cab driver i guess if i have to answer...
NapSPIN : so you would rather be a cabbie part?
BruceMcClh : & i do....i would be um..... a news woman clavicle
NapSPIN : Stansrock : If you could seperate your head from your body, how much do you think it would weigh?
NapSPIN : long silence....
BruceMcClh : if i could seperate my head from my body i don't think i'd be weighing it wouldn't i be in Vegas
making a lot of money doing shows maybe i'll end up there anyway
NapSPIN : Arioso01 : Are you a member of AOL, or are you just doing them a favor?
BruceMcClh : they phoned me which is hard `cause i dont have a phone or a computer
i would like to be a member but looking up things in the library used to seem it scares me
NapSPIN : How did working on the album compare to your TV work? Do you prefer one medium over the other?
BruceMcClh : in a simple way it's not that different both of them are figuring out what the best way
to convey or play with an idea truthfully it was more fun but maybe that's just because i hadn't done it before
NapSPIN : Rogue Ldr : Have The Kids always got along, or is there a lot of bickering?
BruceMcClh : we don't fight about anything were the best of friends we find it easier to sew each other & remain as close as ever
NapSPIN : BitterEwe : Any future plans for the Gavin character? And your music - what's next?
BruceMcClh : well one thing i won't be doing is the Gavin Rap if i did you could come & take my teeth out with a hunting knife
i don't know whats next for Gavin i think it would be intesting if you got one of those little mustaches that we used to call pube-mustaches
NapSPIN : Helen31 : Hi, Bruce! Love your album. This one comes from Chris Stipp:
which one of the sketches you contributed to the KITH show was the most challenging to do?
BruceMcClh : the worst thing i ever did i terms of shear physical pain was the flying pig i hung in a harness
for hours....... whenever anything is rotten in my life i think to myself lot better than the flying pig but to show
how truly stupid i am afterr i'd done one i did another
NapSPIN : An1182 : Who is your favorite commediane?
BruceMcClh : um... laura Kitlinger SNL
NapSPIN : Kilobyte9 : Bruce, are you going to be a regular on SNL? Oh yeah, would you and Mark like to come to my house for dinner?
BruceMcClh : I'm confussed those were two seperate offers i guess the first depends on what you can cook
NapSPIN : Eeyore123 : I heard you were in some way connected with the O.J. trial. Is that true?
BruceMcClh : yes
NapSPIN : Kim38DDD : How much would my head be worth if it were made of veal????
BruceMcClh : well first i must demise your not is not made of veal i would guess 100000 dollars
seeing I've never priced or bought veal so.. when you go to the bank to get you student loan
just point at your ear & say 100,000 trust me
NapSPIN : JH3fan : Did you enjoy your interview with Juliana Hatfield in "Raygun"?
BruceMcClh : yeah she was cool but those things are always weird it's like when you meet up with someone
& they like you & you like their stuff but your not sure exactly what you should say..
NapSPIN : Is this even more weird? We just met but seem to have great rapport already.
BruceMcClh : Yes, although thousands of miles away through the online & the phone i feel it too
NapSPIN : Hemoglobn : i liked your album but what was the kids in the hall could you explain?
BruceMcClh : this 45 year period just after my birth where we wrote 10,000 scenes about businessmen
& then one day then van dropped us off
NapSPIN : Beatles29 : What is your favorite flavor of jello?
BruceMcClh : I have something very sad to tell you & i hope you don't work in a jello warehouse
jello is made from cows-hooves so i guess if i had to have a favorite flavor it would be calf hoof
NapSPIN : What a great question to close the interview. We'd like to thank Bruce McCulloch for stopping by.
