INTERVIEW Pleaseeasaur

2005-06-21

SECULAR PRESS (PHILADELPHIA. PA)

ìWhoah, this guy did way too many drugs!î ìNu'uh! He did just the right amount of drugs!î That was the initial reaction during my private screening of the Pleaseeasaur ñAction Spectacular DVD. By the time the credits rolled, everyone watching was converted to the pleasure side. Pleaseeasaur is a Seattle two peice, comprised of John-Peter Hasson on the mic, with the honorable Thomas Hurly III behind the scenes. Tom runs around like a man possessed, operating crazy live action effects like slide projectors that show campylyric-based images meticulously timed to the beat, and huge man eating monsters.

So how did you and Tom meet? Did Pleaseeasaur already exist at this point?

Tommy and I met in a parking lot in Washington State in 1991. There was a Dairy Queen near by.

The temperature was 57 degrees.

Yes Pleaseeasaur did indeed exist yet it was not until 1997 that he made the very first Pleaseeasaur costume and began traveling together. Then in 1999 his role solidified once the concept for the 2 screens/projections/props/etc. were fully realized. Pleaseeasaur has been a one-man show with two people ever since.

What inspired the Name Pleaseeasaur?

The name Pleaseeasaur was concocted and directly inspired by 2 things very close to my heart:

The Loch Ness Monster. Which is believed to be a Plesiosaur. And Pleasure. Thus Pleaseeasaur.

Two great tastes that seem to go great together.

What is the division of labor between you and Tom? Where do you find all that crazy props?

ON STAGE:

Tommy: Projectionist/Propmaster/Costume Facilitator/Lighting Effects/Hi-Fives.

JP: In front of the screens singing the songs and wearing the costumes he facilitates.

OFF STAGE:

JP: Writing and recording all of the songs. Create a healthy portion of the props/transparencies for the live show.

Tommy: Creator of the costumes and creates the other half of the props and transparencies for the live show. We typically both carry the same amount of equipment in and out of the van.

All props and costumes and such created by Pleaseeasaur.

Well, fine then! Anyway, I imagine that it's cheaper for a two piece band without and musical gear to fly a lot. On tour, can you fit all your gear on carry-on? Any luggage disaster stories?

For being a one-man show with two peopleÖwe seem to have a lot of equipment in tow. Primarily touring is done in a luxury mini-van. Yet for flying, everything condenses into 2 large anvil flight casesÖwhich are by no means allowed as ìcarry-onî items. No luggage disaster stories.

How is the music created and where is it recorded?

Pleaseeasaur albums are primarily recorded in Seattle at The Center For The Pleaseeasaur Sciences

high atop Mt. Olympian. Yet the forthcoming Pleaseeasaur album has been recorded in Seattle. WA, Maui. HI and Los Angeles. CA.

Do you really hate dog shit like in the song ëI Hate Dog Shit', or are you speaking in character, like when Johnny Cash talks about shooting his bad bitch down?

NoÖit's trueÖI do indeed hate Dog ShitÖlike any good American should!

My hatred stems from a shocking childhood drama when my best friend and I met up at the local playground so I could show him my new GI-Joe shirt which I was ever so proud of. Yet instead of responding with certain gleeÖhe proceeded to trip me from behind and throw me in a pile of fresh dog shit severely marring new wardrobe. Thus the ensuing hatred.

Has your live performance ever set off that special redneck's skinny-city-boy-dressing-like-a-fag/weirdo-not-Nascar- oriented-confused-frightened-must-smash chemical in their underdeveloped little brains?

If by that, you meanÖhas anything crazy ever happened during a Pleaseeasaur show?

Then a resounding YES comes to mind. The craziness includes but definitely not limited to:

Being tackled on stage by a crazed fan whom was apparently hallucinating on a sort of Bromo-Mescaline.

Being the target for about 1,000 thrown tootsie rolls while opening for Rahzel and the Crystal Method.

Being threatened with violence if we didn't get OFF the stage in Canada.

Being threatened with violence if we didn't keep the show going in Pittsburgh.

And perhaps the best of allÖbeing bit by a sheep dog on stage in Portland. Oregon.

All true.

How was working with Ben Shepard when you two scored the film Cold Hearts? I really liked that song Half' he wrote for Soundgarden, he seems like the ìLet's do some weird shitî guy in that band. Would you enjoy scoring another film?

Working with Ben was fine and/or dandy. I know that if I ever get in a violent situation I want him on my side. He's burly and would hopefully help to defend what honor I have. Though his role as co-composer for that film was somewhat limited. It was primarily scored by Ben Blankenship and myself.

I have been lucky to score a few items since that first film. Mostly TV commercials and the theme to a sitcom pilot that never aired. Yes, I enjoy it.

What future projects can we look forward to?

NEW Pleaseeasaur CD/NEW Pleaseeasaur DVD (double disc set) to be released in early Spring 2006.

The CD will be about 13 NEW songs. The DVD will be primarily an animated adventure (animated by the creators of SEALAB 2021) along with 10 music videos for both NEW songs and CLASSIC songs.

Thanks!

You're Welcome!