How long have you been playing?

Seriously playing? Since high school. We had a guitar club at my school when I was in 7th grade, that's where I actually started learning chords. That would be around 1973. But I have had El-Junko acoustic guitars that I used to bang on when I was like 8 or something.

What instruments do you play?

Basically just guitar. I'd love to learn keyboards too. I don't look at myself as this technical whiz guitar player, because I'm not. I do what I do, and it works. I'm sure there are a lot of kids out there that can kick my ass on the fretboard.

What was your first album?

It was The Ohio Express, the one where their faces are superimposed with the front of a train. It had Yummy, Yummy, Yummy on it. I was facinated with Joey Levine's voice. Come to find out, he wasn't even a member of the group, he was a record company guy that basically said "I'm taking over and turning you guys into bubblegum". They were actually a psycodelic type group, but all of their hits were Joey Levine influenced bubblegum. It worked, because it hooked me. The vocal on Yummy, Yummy, Yummy was meant to be a studio guide vocal for that song, but the producers liked it and it stayed. He actually sang on most of the bubblegum stuff that became hits under various group names, and later on he did Life Is A Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me). A lot of people laugh at bubblegum music like Yummy Yummy Yummy and their other hits, but listen to the rythym guitar on it sometime, then go listen to the Cars and the Ramones, who in the beginning saw themselves as a bubblegum band. Ok, that's my seldom used and little known fact for the day. I also used to get a lot of 45's from one of the local AM stations in Pa., they always had a contest where you would guess the order of the top 10 for the next week, and if you got it right they would send them all to you. My mother used to hit it all of the time. I first heard "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath on one of those AM stations! FM was all classical and educational at the time.

What was your first concert?

I think it was The Ramones and Patti Smith in '78, as far as national acts. I remember when I was a kid and my mother used to force me to go to church, there was a guy that came in with an electric guitar and played along with the organist on one of the hymns, and I was facinated by the sound of the electric guitar. I was 6 or 7 then. Around that time I also remember listening to some local band at a public swimming pool and park playing "Little Bit O' Soul". I didn't know any better, I thought it was the real group that did the song. That was probably around '67 or '68. I'm also old enough to remember watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan's variety show.

Who is your favorite band?

God, there are so many it would be hard to pin it down to one. I even listen to weird keyboard oriented stuff like Kraftwerk. The Ventures are high on the list, one of the reasons I'm a guitar player.

Who is your favorite local band?

I can't say I have a favorite local band, but the few that I have heard are all great.

What band do you dislike the most?

I don't know if there is a band itself that I dislike, I think every band is going to have a particular song that you dislike. Maybe if I knew them personally I wouldn't like them, I don't know.

What should a crowd expect from a RUMORS show?

I guess I have to pretty much echo what Billy said. But also, expect us to try and make you happy, although you can't please everybody all of the time. I want people to have a positive image of us when they leave though.

Do you have any pre-show rituals?

Not really. I just make sure all of my stuff is working, and then hang out.

Do you have any weird fan stories?

One time with Snake Creek, up in Pa., we got all done for the night and got everything packed up, and some drunk jackass decided to heave an ashtray from the bar, and I ended up taking one of the other guys in the band to the hospital to get 4 stitches in his head. Of course, the guy instantly ran out the door when half of the bar came after him. I tend to avoid the weird ones.

What is your take on the local music scene?

I haven't been around here long enough to say, but from what I've seen there is a lot of talent. I don't get out much either.

Is there anything you would like to see change?

Like Billy said, more "music oriented" places. And an all female club. You have to be hot and single to get in. No guys, unless you're in the band.

What is the best venue you played?

Any one that the crowd was into it. I hate playing to an oil painting. And the ones that feed us!

What is the worst venue you played?

There are a few. One was a carnival in Pa. that never had sufficient power service to the stage. It was ok until they kicked on the big grounds lights, then the service went to like 95 line volts. Naturally, that makes the amps sound like crap, and do all kinds of weird things. It's frustrating as hell. I guess that's why they make power conditioners. Then there are the ones that try and get out of paying you, or they will tell you that you don't pay for drinks and such, then all of the sudden it changes once you are there and playing. I hate deceptive bar owners. One time with Snake Creek, we had a big blowout, because the owner told us one thing, then the night we played, his sister was running the place, and she was a real bitch about it. Wouldn't give us anything.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Thanks to all of the fans and supporters. We love you all. Couldn't do it without you.

Keep music programs in schools.

I hope I've influenced a few kids, and kept them off of the street, and out of trouble.