At The Stars

-How long have you been a fan?
Since 1995.

-How many times have you seen BTE perform live?
Zilcho. I only rediscovered the band sometime after I graduated high school in 1998, when I went on a CD buying rampage.

-Do you have a favorite song?
This Time of Year is my absolute favorite.

-Do you have an original copy of Surprise?
Nope, just a bootleg (compliments of Shari)

-Do you think anyone has an original copy of Surprise?
Yeah. Someone has to have one. Go check E-bay every so often, haha.

-Is BTE your favorite band?
BTE is my favorite band of the 1990s. My favorite band of all time, that distinction would have to go to the Beatles. But BTE is the only band to which I have ever been a fan club member...

-Either way, which other bands do you like?
Weezer, Semisonic, Collective Soul, Harvey Danger, All Star United, Jars of Clay, Skypark, The Refreshments, The Corbans, Eels, Oasis, Travis, U2, The Zambonis, Ben Folds Five, Dishwalla, Cracker, Chicago, The Beack Boys, Audio Adrenaline, Bleach, Blues Traveler, Big Tent Revival, Cake, Fastball, Everclear, Foo Fighters, Gin Blossoms, New Radicals, The Frantics, Green Day, and the list goes on, and on, and on, and on.....

-How do your friends describe you?
I have been called many things. For example, "annoying chemist," "cool dork," and many other unflattering things. My friends consider me to be a nice guy, a goof friend, a bit goofy at times, but fun to be around.

-Collections:
I collect CDs, obviously. I have a ton of other collections. Basically I am a packrat and my room is one giant collection of EVERYTHING. I guess some of my "highlight collections" would be dress ties, comic books (GREEN LANTERN ROCKS!!), books, empty Mountain Dew bottles (here in Michigan we have a bottle deposit, and I need to take those cans back!), and old US coins.

-Hobbies:
Well, I play the alto saxophone (but not too much lately). I would love to learn to play the guitar someday. I also love roller hockey, and I follow my Detroit sports teams with obsession (Red Wings, Lions, and Tigers).

-Career? What do you like about your job?
Right now I am attending Saginaw Valley State University, where I am majoring in Chemistry and minoring in Math. I am working at Dow Chemical as a Co-Op in the Advanced Electronic Materials business. I hope to go to grad school next year (but I don't know where yet). I like my job because I'm working on stuff that will really affect our lives - working to make computers faster, and make the chips inside your computer smaller.

-Do you eat any strange combinations of food?
Peanut Butter and Mayo sandwiches. Can't get any weirder than that!

-Weakness that I will admit to:
I spend way too much money on CDs! Plus, I am way too shy when it comes to girls. Oh well.

-Kevin, Tom, Travis, Jim:
Jim and I have the same last name, but Tom and I both dig Weezer (Pinkerton~!!) so I guess he's the man.

-Favorite BTE song quote:
"But, now when I see you you're somebody else, with somebody's eyes, and your skin is like porcelain." -- Porcelain

-Favorite "Kevin-ism":
"If you have a lighter or a match, raise it over your head in true rock 'n' roll fashion and make an idiot of yourself. NO!!! No, do it...please. Please."
--Kevin Griffin (before playing "Cry In the Sun") 12/16/95 New Orleans, LA concert