Mike: Where
and when did the idea of hamster man come to you?
Paul: I
started drawing Hamster Man in 1985 when I was in the fifth
grade. I can't remember why exactly, but I did have pet
hamsters around then and every week I checked out this book
titled Hamsters from the school library.
Mike: What
is your favorite thing about doing Hamster Man?
Paul: When
it's all done and everyone tells me how fuckin' awesome
I am.
Mike: A few
years back you were going to do a book and record set where
I was to do the voice for Hamster Man. is there any hope
to bringing that idea back?
Paul: Yes.
But I think it would be better to do it as a Flash cartoon.
It would be free to produce and would be accessible to a
lot more
people.
Mike: Do
you think Chicago understands Hamster Man?
Paul: Do
you think I understand that question?
Mike: Where
around Chicago can you purchase Hamster Men?
Paul: Quimby's
book store on North Avenue. Chicago Comics on Clark Street.
Both Reckless Records locations. Atomix coffee shop on Chicago
Avenue at Damen. You can also buy them on the internet at
www.hamsterman.com.
Mike: What
comics do you enjoy reading?
Paul: I
like reading Missy Kulik's comics (look for her at http://indiepages.com/someow/comics/index.html)
and anything by Arthur
Jones (http://www.gorillasuit.com)
Mike: You
have been in many bands, who were they and which was your
favorite?
Paul: I
played in The Fighters, Old Dad, Joan of Arc, Owls, Brown
Round Town Hound, Hardcore Reality '98, and even an early
version of Craphole. The Fighters was my favorite because
it was guitar driven pop punk with plenty of catchy hooks
and melodic vocals.
Mike: Do
you think you would be doing Hamster Man today, If you were
never involved in an underground music scene?
Paul: Yes,
but it might have been totally different. For one thing,
touring has allowed me to distribute comics all over the
world. Also, because I am more involved with music than
the comics scene, I am way cooler than I might have been.
Mike: Where
in Chicago do you like to see shows?
Paul: My
favorite place is Schuba's because the sound is so good
and the separate bar room silences the chattering of the
idiot regulars. The Fireside Bowl is the most fun but you
can only make a big bowling alley sound so good.
Mike: What
are your favorite Chicago bands of all time?
Paul: The
4-Squares and Biscayne
Mike: What
sector of the Chicago scene do you consider yourself part
of?
Paul: Johann's
Face
Mike: What
do you think was the strangest and most annoying scene ever
in Chicago?
Paul: clown
punk
Mike: Any
last words?
Paul:
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