It's been said that guys get into rock bands to get girls. But the stereotype for sci-fi/comic guys is they can't get girls. So that raises the question then...why a comic book band?
RAND: Why...that's obvious. See, we can't get girls in a normal setting.
But comic-geek plus band get's more girls than comic-geek minus band...
so we go to an environment where there are comic book guys not getting
girls. If we were with other bands, we would be like, the bottom rung of the
girl-getting bands...
ADAM: ...But at comic conventions, we can be the coolest guys there,
because we're in a band!
So you guys can basically rise to the top then, and get all the attention...!
RAND: Actually, we can't even...You're the first person to talk to us all weekend! (Laughs)
In your song "Arthur Curry" you state "...even Peter David (can't) make (Aquaman) cool."
Is it true Peter actually had some disparaging comments about that song?.
ADAM: Yeah, but our lawyer says we're not allowed to talk about that. There's a restraining order!
RAND: There was one night where two people looking suspiciously like Peter David and Harlan Ellison were like...
ADAM: (Interrupts) Harlan Ellison is a son-of-a-bitch! (Laughing)
RAND: ...they were knocking on our door and hurling deviled eggs at our windows and stuff. But y'know...it might not have been them!
How many shows does Ookla play in a year, and do you play venues other than sci-fi and comic conventions?
RAND: Well...back to Peter David...
(Everyone is laughing)
ADAM: We only play at science fiction and comic book conventions...the occasional Star Trek convention, just for variety...
RAND: Horror conventions...
ADAM: Yeah...Gaming conventions...But we're weekend warriors here. We have day jobs.
RAND: Ten shows a year is like...a good year.
So, you try for three to four hour drives at the most?
ADAM: I would say three to four hour drives at the least! This (Pittsburgh Comicon) is like, one of the shortest drives we have. It's four and a half hours.
What do you bribe these guys with, to make them run around in the spandex costumes and fat suits during your shows?
ADAM: We've got the goods on 'em!!!
But really, what kind of man does it take to actually run around in front of an
audience in those costumes, blackmailed or not?
ADAM: Yeah...??? (Puzzled) That's a question we're still trying to answer.
If the entire band were stranded on a deserted island...
RAND: (Interrupts quickly) We would eat Chris!!!
(Everyone is laughing)
I was going to ask...who would eventually survive, and how?
ADAM: Yeah...we would definatlely cannabalize Chris. Use every part of his body to survive!
RAND: I don't think it's something that important that would break up the band tho'...I think! (Laughing)
But don't worry folks. The new album will still be coming out this fall!!!
No, this isn't an interview with the Thundarr the Barbarian character. Sorry.
Ookla the Mok is a talented music group, consisting of
Rand Bellavia (Guitar/Vocals), Adam English (Guitar/Vocals),
Chris Gajewski(Drums) and Doug White (Bass Guitar).
Hailing from western New York, Ookla the Mok has made quite a name for themselves on the comic-book and sc-fi convention scene, with songs based on comic books, Star Trek, and loads of other pop-culture references. With their smart, witty songwriting, they have certainly carved a niche with hordes of fanboys and girls! And musically, from ballads, to pop-flavored tunes, to harder rock, these guys can do it all...even making an opus rock opera about monkeys (Smell No Evil) extremely enjoyable and worth listening to over and over!
The popular group also mixes in an extra dash of showmanship, with costumed characters such as Aquaman, Dr. Doom, Medieval Knievel, and even a bulging Commander William Ryker, helping to act out the songs, and adding even more fun and excitement to an already entertaining show.
I had the chance to sit down with founders Rand Bellavia and Adam English at the Pittsburgh Comicon, and discovered the guys are even more funny and entertaining than when on stage. I appreciate them taking the time for this interview, and I look forward to the next time I can see them perform their infectious brand of music and performance art!
Thanks guys!!!
IMAGINE YOU'RE AT A COMIC-CONVENTION AND YOU SPOT YOUR FAVORITE CREATOR.
YOU KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN SIGNING BOOKS FOR HOURS BUT YOU MAKE THE DECISION TO
ASK THEM SOME QUESTIONS WHILE YOU'RE WAITING IN LINE.
YOU ONLY HAVE A FEW SHORT MINUTES, BUT WHAT DO YOU ASK THEM,
THAT THEY HAVEN'T ANSWERED ALL DAY, AND HOW MANY QUESTIONS CAN YOU SQUEEZE IN?
SIT DOWN WITH US AS WE BROWSE THE ARCHIVES AND
TAKE FIVE with...
