Interview With..

Andy Aquino 

This week, Andy Aquino steps into the Smoke Shack. Andy is known very well throughout town for his days as the guitarist for MINK, talent buyer for Gibson Showcase, 820 Showcase, and The Rutledge. He’s also one of the leaders of Gopher Entertainment Group. So, sit back, grab a stogie, and get to know Andy Aquino.

1. Please provide a little background on yourself in case a few of us don’t know who you are or what you do. Simply stated, go ahead and plug what you want so we can get on with the rest of the questions.

I started playing in a band with Aljon (the local Buzz), Henry (Former), and Johannes (Ligion) back in the college days. This band developed into Mink. Toured the world, opened for bands like Sevendust and LIT.  Did that for at least 8 years and when that ended, landed a gig working for the Gibson showcase in Opry Mills as bar, event, and entertainment buyer. Aljon and I also created the Gopher Entertainment Group which organized and booked various showcases. Hell, I didn’t want a desk job. I knew that I had to be in the music business somewhere or I would go postal.

2. I noticed that you helped found and run Gopher Entertainment Group with Aljon. How did you come up with the idea for this venture, what is GEG currently up to, and what would Kristen suggest if a sloppy mess like Zakk Wylde asked for beauty tips?

GEG was basically created as an “independent” dummy label. We had a cool logo and everything. We figured that most clubs and talent buyers won’t look at you unless you have some kind of professional representation. I’m Andy from the GEG, not from the band MINK. It looks more professional – hint to all other bands. GEG is currently helping bands get all the dots connected; from developing press kits to booking. We’re not a label or management, just a consulting firm. A lot of bands need some help; that’s what we do. Hell, with over 10 years doing what we did and what we accomplished, I figure we got something to teach. If not, the bands can learn it themselves. Currently we’re organizing the successful Myspace Mixers, a quarterly concert series that showcases local acts on myspace.

If Zakk needed beauty tips from Kristen, probably she would give him a bottle of Jack and let him loose. Or maybe a pair of shiny Gibson Les Paul pins for his vests.

3. Aljon and you are very well known throughout town from your days in Mink. You guys recently reunited for a one-off show at Gibson Showcase combined with a local rock Roast of Aljon for putting in 10 years on the air. What are the best memories that you’ll take away from that experience and tell us your best “roast Aljon” story?

There are so many. Come back to me when Al and I are 75 “Bartles and James” age and then we’ll do the grumpy old men tell stories thing. Jimmy from the Beauty School dropouts had some good roast jokes. I wish I had his script.

4. You were the talent buyer for a long time with Gibson Showcase. Describe the best and worst shows that you put on (c’mon, everyone loves to read the disaster stories, so indulge me).

I’ve had many shows that have been great. My horror story is when I book a Valentines Day show with a local theatre group. 1) They over sold the show 2) My Kitchen manager would not cook any more food. He would not listen to me. 3) They took their time and ran long. 4) My second show that I booked never really got to do their thing. I really hate that. It really pisses me off when one party goes wrong, my own staff refuses to help, and that same party stabs you in the back later. 

5. You also were booking shows for a while with the newly opened 820 Showcase (formerly Showtime Gentlemen’s Club). You left abruptly after a month. Care to share what happened and didn’t it feel strange seeing fully clothed people in there?

I was hired to do the same thing that I was doing for the Showcase. It turned out that the owner and I had 2 different ways the club should go and I couldn’t get any more support from him.

It was kind of fun for the last few days as the strip club. Saw a side of that entertainment business. There is a lot of money that is made. I did see some unattractive boobies there. It was hard getting used to. Showtime was the first club I went to when I turned 18. I can even point out where I sat frequently.     

6. You are now running the newly-opened Rutledge Live Music Venue. I keep hearing great things about this place from both guests to bands that have played there. Bands have been giving rave reviews to Frank Sass for the sound in the room and you guys are booked all the way through March. Are you surprised by the quick success and what’s planned for the future?

Actually I’m not surprised at all. I’m very proud. The hardest part was telling the bands that we’re open, remodeled and we’re smoke free. That was the shocker. Bands are accepting it and getting into the habit; except Dee from Deadsun. He’s getting there HA! Frank really put thought into this room. The best part about telling people that it’s (the venue) back is, “go check out the bathrooms.” Of course being a new venue is like a new restaurant. Every one will come and then stop for awhile. I want to be known for a great over all experience. Right now, I want to be the place to get the fastest drink during a busy night.     

7. Since you’ve been in the scene for quite awhile I’d like to get your perspective on the overwhelming theory going around that Nashville is hitting its stride as a rock town. Do you think this is true or is it just a cycle that happens every few years?

We’re getting there. I’ve seen more bands getting signed to independent labels. As well as major labels: Pink Spiders, Ligion and more. We just can’t give up. There are other scenes developing as well. As long as the bands, fans, venues support each other, it will happen. That’s what I’m trying to do.

8. Please name some of your favorite local acts.

Go to Myspace!!!! They’re all there. Can’t name them all. At least 200

9. When booking a show what do you look for in a band that says “Yes, these guys should definitely get a show here”?

I go by referrals and how many people come to see the bands. I’ve got to have people show up. It’s the only way I can keep my doors open. It also helps when band members come by and talk to me.

10. Time for word association. Tell us the first thing that comes into your mind:
1. Bands late for load in: No sound check till their set.
2. Aljon: Oh Shit!
3. 820 Showcase: Damn that room has potential
4. The Rutledge: What we got something here!
5. Gibson Showcase: Fuck you Henry!
6. Henry Go: I’ve seen him naked
7. fORMER: Henry’s 3,4 band? They’re great!
8. Mink: Miss it!
9. Ligion: “THANK YOU NASHVILLE!”
10. Springwater: What a great dive to play for all new bands.
11. City Hall: I wish I had a venue that size
12. The End: It is what it is. Bruce much respect!

11. As a former musician myself, I enjoy continuing to work in the local music scene but I still don’t get the rush I used to get from playing onstage. Is it the same for you and are you considering getting back into playing?

Every time I see a van with a trailer I want to cry. I miss the road, I miss playing. I try to whenever I can. Right now I get a rush doing the second thing that I dream of doing if I wasn’t a rock star

12. Final question, if you could change one thing about our local scene what would it be and why?

Getting people to stay for the whole show or hang all night long at the venues. Other people in other cities people hang or even come out to see out of town bands and other locals. Here they show up see who they want to see and then leave. Stay Damnit!

For more information on Andy, The Rutledge LMV, and Gopher Entertainment Group please visit the following sites:

www.myspace.com/anasian

www.myspace.com/therutledgelmv

www.myspace.com/gopherentertainment

Don’t forget the NashvilleRock.net Vol. 1 Compilation CD Party at The Rutledge on 2/8/2007.

Thanks to Andy and The Rutledge for their support of NashvilleRock.net and the local music scene.

That’s all for now.

Until Next Time, I’m out like Paris Hilton’s intellect.

Chris “Uncle Daddy Longlegs” Czynszak

To reach Chris Czynszak, e-mail to cczynszak@nashvillerock.net