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PJ Farley, Becky & Steve Brown

Date:        September 15, 2003

Time:       5:47 p.m.

Place:      E-Mail

Group:    40 FT. Ringo; Sugarbelly (Steve Brown--vocals, guitar)

Do you remember the 80’s? Do you remember Trixter? Well, I had the opportunity to interview Steve Brown formerly of Trixter, currently of 40 Ft. Ringo and also in a cover band Sugarbelly. 40 Ft. Ringo has a new CD out titled, Funny Thing. After you read this interview, check out their website www.40ftringo.com and www.sugarbelly.net.

Becky Collins: Let's start with the good ol' glam/hair metal era, 80's/early 90's--miss it? (I definitely do!)
Steve Brown: Yes indeed. It was beautiful time for ROCK. Fun and lot's of great parties.
BC: Most importantly, what made you cut the hair? =)
SB: A bizarre Blender accident making Margaritas....I smelled like cuervo + lime juice for weeks...he,he,he…Just kidding. I cut the hair because it was time for a change and I was sick of it.
BC: How did Trixter begin? End?
SB: TRIXTER began in 1983 in my room in good old PARAMUS, NJ. We built the band into one of NJ's best.1989...Got a record deal, hit the big time and enjoyed our 15 minutes of fame.1995 we broke up to move on to new chapters in Life.Pj + I have been playing together for 15 years.40FT. RINGO is the new band. Loving every minute of it.Hey didn’t LOVERBOY write that?????
BC: What kept you and PJ together making music?
SB: Being Best friends + we rock like no others
BC: When was the all time peak of your life with Trixter?
SB: Playing the Meadowlands Arena in April of 1991 with the SCORPIONS. We got our GOLD records that night and had all of our families there. Awesome, to say the least.
BC: If you could turn back time, would you do anything differently?
SB: One thing I would've dome was to get the 2nd TRIXTER album out sooner.
BC: Onto Sugarbelly--when and how did it start?
SB: The Belly began in April of 1997.still kicking ass. Pj + I were good friends with ANNIE. So we said “let’s start a new, great cover band” and make some real money. It’s a great way to make a living.
BC: What is the name all about?
SB: Very Pornographic.
BC: Is there any song that you would like to play, but just can't seem to get right or fit into a set for genre reasons?
SB: Nah.....we do whatever the hell we want to play
BC: Is there any song that you just love playing no matter how many times you have to play it over and over and over again?
SB: Sweet Child O mine
BC: I've seen a couple of the Sugarbelly shows. You seem to truly enjoy playing the guitar and acting all crazy! =) What is so great about lead guitar?
SB: I just love it...it's really an extension of my personality
BC: Being that you were previously in a fairly big band and toured arenas and of the sort, which do you prefer--arenas or clubs?
SB: I love to play anywhere, anytime.But Playing Arena's is a lot of fun.
BC: The latest news--40 Ft. Ringo--how'd this come about? How long has the group been together? (Why haven't I heard about this, until now?)
SB: 40FT. RINGO is STEVE BROWN, PJ FARLEY, MAZ and BRIAN GABRIEL. Our sound is "HARD POP that rocks for a good time." We've been together for 4 years. Our debut cd, "FUNNY THING" released in April 2003 on ATENZIA records/ Universal/Japan has sold over 15,000 copies worldwide and is being played on over 200 radio stations around the universe.40FT. RINGO has opened for the likes of DAVID LEE ROTH, FOREIGNER, TESLA, VINCE NEIL
BC: How did you come up with the name 40 Ft. Ringo?
SB: Too many Martini's w/ my good bud, mark helbock.He came up with the name after seeing the Beatles anthology on a 40FT. movie screen.
BC: Recently you performed at the Meadowlands Fair along with Faster Pussycat and Pretty Boy Floyd--did you feel like you were back in the 80's with Trixter?
SB: No......there would have been a lot more people there if it was the 80's
BC: Is there any special significance to the album title, Funny Thing?
SB: Other than the fact that 2 guys from a well known pop metal band from the late 80's "reinvented" themselves into a new band that is "current and timeless".....no.
BC: Was there any song in particular that was difficult to get exactly as you had envisioned it?
SB: not really......all the songs were very easy to do
BC: Is there a method to your writing?
SB: Acoustic guitar and the search for a killer melody, lyric and riffs
BC: This is my first time hearing about 40 Ft. Ringo, can you describe the sound for me?
SB: "THE HEAVIEST MELODY BAND IN THE WORLD" + "HARD POP" CHEAP TRICK MEETS THE GOO GOO DOLLS
BC: How long did the process of Funny Thing take?
SB: Around six months
BC: What is your favorite song off of Funny Thing? Why?
SB: I love them all...it's a great cd
BC: You're opening for Diamond Dave on the 9th of September at the Chance. Will you be opening for any other shows of his? (I'm completely upset that I will be missing this show...but we won't go there!)
SB: We might do the UK tour w/ Dave.
BC: What were some of the influences on your songs? Can you give examples?
SB: Life....the cd touches on a lot of subjects. From Child neglect (ORIGAMI MOMMY) to losing your virginity (ANYWAY).
BC: What do you or would you like to see happen for 40 Ft. Ringo in the next 5 years?
SB: Become a worldwide success and rock for the next 25 years
BC: What are the upcoming, if any, plans for 40 Ft. Ringo?
SB: We are waiting the word from DEF LEPPARD about opening their UK tour on Oct. There will be a new EP out in Oct. called "MORE FUNNY THINGS" w/ the new single "INSIDE YOUR HEAD" and 3 unreleased trax along w/ the video for "ANYWAY"
BC: What's going to happen between Sugarbelly and 40 Ft. Ringo? Did you figure out a way to be 1 person in 2 places at the same time? If so...please share. =)
SB: STUNT DOUBLES....we have stunt bellies fill in when we can't do a gig. We have J3 from Tommy Lee's band fill in when Pj or I can't do a gig.
BC: Lastly, some personal and fun questions. Who are your musical influences?
SB: ELVIS, KISS, THE BEATLES, VAN HALEN + CHEAP TRICK
BC: How do you prepare for your shows?
SB: Lots' of jumping around the dressing room
BC: Who would you like to collaborate with in the future or would you have like to, in regard to dead stars?
SB: I'd love to work w/ Linda Perry
BC: What CD's are you currently listening to?
SB: Kiss Symphony, Lillix (my 3.5 year old daughter loves it)
BC: Who has been the most supportive of your career choice(s)?
SB: My Mom + Dad
BC: In one word, describe your music.
SB: FUN
BC: What do you think about the state of rock and heavy metal music at the moment?
SB: DISMALL
BC: What is, if any, the worst job that you have ever had? Besides music, do you currently have a job?
SB: NEVER HAD A REAL JOB and I don't ever plan on getting one. I will always be a musician.
BC: Is there a song that makes you cry? If yes, what?
SB: No
BC: Is there any tour that you would give absolutely anything to be on?
SB: KISS + AEROSMITH
BC: Who does Steve Brown think he is? (Be careful. This question can get you in some hot water!)
SB: A solid singer, songwriter and guitarist
BC: Any message for your fans?
SB: Thanx for all the years of support. Can't wait to see everyone on tour w/ 40FT. RINGO.

Thank you for your time and the interview! I look forward to seeing 40 Ft. Ringo in the near future! =)
--Becky