Did anyone save the text of this interview?
It's one of my faves and that link doesn't work anymore.
Hi radioclash, I have the text.
MARTY CASEY CONDUCTS A NEW BLIZZARD OF INSANITY
An Exclusive Rock Star Go Home Interview
By ReX, Lead Roadie, RSGH
November 4, 2005
Do you remember?
He gave you chills.
Do you remember?
He made you think, “Now. That is a rock star!”
Do you remember? He jumped. He swayed. He conducted.
He screamed.
And, then he broke-through to something else during "Wish You Were Here”.
I remember.
I remember the countless standing ovations.
The energy.
The passion.
The honesty.
And... I remember the musical memories - Creep, Alone, Hit Me Baby One More Time, Everlong, and of course, Trees.
He is Marty Casey. And, earlier today I caught up with the Chicago-native to hash over the past and talk about his wide open future.
REX: So stoked we finally connected.
Marty: Yah. It’s been crazy. Going coast-to-coast lately. Amazing what’s happening right now... Amazing.
REX: Right on. I want to hear all about it. What’s up?
Marty: Oh man. Where to start? We’re just taking meeting after meeting after meeting. Getting ready for a lot of good stuff to happen. ‘Trees’ should be ready for release next week. Then we’re going to follow that up with a full release in January. Then there’s the tour. And, we’re talking with a bunch of sponsors for our equipment.
REX: Sounds nutty.
Marty: Gotta admit. I’m a bit overwhelmed. Feels like I’m in a blizzard of insanity. It kind of makes me wish I would have won the Rock Star gig. I mean, JD got inserted into a well-oiled INXS machine. We’re working our tails off to keep it all together. Luckily, I recently signed with Doc. He’s our manager now.
REX: Thee Doc McGee of Kiss, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue?
Marty: Yah. I am so thankful. Doc is now my manager and my mentor. I mean, there are a lot of sharks our there. People are trying to get me to sign this and sign that. Doc has done this all before. He knows who talk to and who to stay away from. We have a great connection. Our families know each other. It goes back to Chicago. I really trust Doc.
REX: Holy shit. Can you believe this... Doc McGee is your manager?
Marty: [Giddy] Yah. This is all pretty wonderful!
REX: So stoked for you... Let’s switch gears.
Marty: Okay.
REX: I can give you 20 minutes with one of the following – Gandhi, Martin Luther King, John Lennon or Bob Marley. Who would you choose to spend the 20 minutes with and why?
Marty: [5 second pause] John Lennon. [2 second pause] Because John Lennon was a Libra. I’m a Libra. He wrote a song called “All You Need Is Love”. That is a Libra’s song. Really, I’m just amazed at the impact... That song... That man can have on this earth. And, he was so even keeled. I think that is sometimes my problem. I want to have a huge, positive effect on the world but I can be so laid back at times.
REX: Got it. Hey, what’s the last MP3 or CD you listened to?
Marty: TV on the Radio. I actually did some writing with them back in New York pretty recently. Very cool vibe. They are touring with Franz Ferdinand right now.
REX: Nice. Have you played any Lovehammers gigs lately?
Marty: Yah. We played at a Chicago White Sox game in front of 42,000 people. And then, we opened for Jessica Simpson in front of 20,000 screaming people. It was amazing. In 45 minutes, we actually sold like ten thousand dollars of merchandise - cds and stuff. I couldn’t believe it.
REX: That’s amazing!
Marty: It really.... really is. The fact that through all of this, me, the Lovehammers, we’re together playing music, and we’re all getting to experience this... It’s just amazing.
REX: Marty, let’s pretend I’m a genie. I can give you one wish. What would it be?
Marty: I.... I..... I.... I would wish nothing but phenomenal success for all of the 15 people that were on Rock Star: INXS.
REX: Very cool. Before Rock Star: INXS, did you watch much reality tv?
Marty: Honestly, I haven’t owned a television in like seven or eight years. (He laughs). I’m much more of live person. I like live stuff. Like music. Or, going to a hockey game. So no, I really didn’t watch much reality tv. Maybe a few minutes here and there. Ya know what?
REX: Huh?
Marty: That might have helped me in this whole deal. I mean. I didn’t really know about how to be or not be. I was just kind of forced to exist as is.
REX: Got it. So, even though you were forced to exist...
Marty: Yah.
REX: The show did have elements of forced transformation. Specifically, the clinics.
Marty: No doubt.
REX: Looking back on it. What was your favorite clinic?
Marty: There were two.
First, the clinic where we got to watch ourselves perform. That was helpful to see that the way you think you are and the way you appear are completely different. I mean, you might think that something you’re doing on stage is cool. But, when you see it. You realize that a specific move - maybe a leg shake here or a twist there - really is not that cool. (He chuckles)
Then, there was the songwriting clinic with Andrew Farris. That guy has written like 25 hits or something like that. To have that time with him was special. He shared with me his secrets of songwriting. And, I use them.... I take that with me wherever I go. That really is something tangible that I left the show with.
REX: I’ve got a pretty tough question to ask you?
Marty: Yah.
REX: I was at the recording of the Rock Star: INXS Finale. And, I watched the playback of the Finale. Maybe I’m crazy... But, it appeared to me that there was a sense of relief that you weren’t the guy selected to lead INXS. Was there any part of you that didn’t want to win the gig?
Marty: I was in it to win it. Really, my heart and soul was there. But, on the flip side, I have been in a band for 15 years. I have been dedicated to those guys for so long. To have that slip away would have been tough. We’re like a gang.
It was one of those bizarre life moments. So many questions at that time... I’m sure I would have been doing back-flips had I won. But just imagine that one sentence out of someone else’s mouth could alter the path of your life. It’s Crazy.
And now.... The show brought me a break. And, here it is. Most people don’t get that shot. But, we’re stepping up to the plate. Obviously, there are no guarantees.
REX: I hear ya. Here’s another tough question for you. All 14 Rock Star: INXS singers release a cd on the same day. You only have $15 in your pocket. You can only buy one. Who’s cd are you going to buy?
Marty: Does JD qualify or is that an INXS cd?
REX: JD is fair game.
Marty: I’d say JD.
REX: Why?
Marty: That guy is adventurous. Really adventurous. I’d like to see what he would put out on a solo cd.
REX: After the Finale, did anyone from INXS pull you aside and give you the reasons why you were not roit for their band, INXS?
Marty: Ya know... After the show ended.... Each of the guys pulled me aside and said some really nice things to me. At one point, Tim started to offer up some reasons. I asked him to stop. I really did not need a cushion to fall down. It wasn’t reallly needed. They gave me an amazing opportunity. And, I just wasn’t right for their family. I totally understood that.
REX: It seemed like Burnett had you guys on lock-down in the mansion. Always going somewhere. Always doing something. Gotta ask... Did you get any booty while you were in the mansion? I mean that was like 13 weeks…
Marty: [Laughing] Yah. So, all the girls on the show were either married or engaged. But... one night. JD and I pulled our mics, jumped out of the bathroom window and made it down to a local bar. The show had been on a few times, so people knew who we were. Plus, it was ‘Ladies Night’. It was a good time.
REX: I bet it was.
Marty: [Laughing at the memory]
REX: So... My favorite question for you.
Marty: Yah.
REX: What was your most memorable moment on Rock Star: INXS? And, for this purpose, a moment is defined as 90 seconds of time.
Marty: [3 second pause] I would have to say the most memorable 90 seconds was the night I chose to do Mr. Brightside acoustically. In 90 seconds, this is what happened. First, I told Mark Burnett I wanted to go acoustic. With a hand on my shoulder, he said, “Go for it.” Then, I grabbed an un-tuned guitar, ran on-stage with no sound-check and no advance warning to the crew. Then, I played it for the audience. A little bit later with no real rehearsal, I played it in front of millions on tv. That was the moment I most remember.
REX: Gnarly.
Marty: Yah.
REX: The other night I download your tracks from the show and I’m grooving to one after the other after the other after the other… Creep, Brightside, Trees, Alone, Wish You Were Here… And, I’m like, “This guy is f**king great!” How does that make you feel knowing that I am just one of millions that loves your work?
Marty: Honestly. [Pause] I can tell you. [Another pause] I spent three months living in a thirty million dollar mansion. I spent three months in front of cameras and crews playing music. Now, I’m getting ready to release a cd and go on tour.
But... But, there is nothing. Nothing more touching than hearing something like that. The fact that people have taken me into their busy lives, in this busy world... That I have had some form of positive effect on them... That they are willing to let me be a part of their day. Well. I’m simply in love with that.
REX: Right on brother. Very cool.
Marty: It’s the truth.
REX: Well, those are all the questions...
Marty: Hey. Are you doing a similar website for American Idol?
REX: Yah.
Marty: Very cool idea. I wish you nothing but the best with it.
REX: Thanks man.
Marty: Thanks to you.
