20 Questions with Venomous by Venomous Valdez This week's victim: Jamie Thorman of Le TechnoPUSS13S

1. How long have you been playing music?

Hmmm. Music anyone would want to hear? My dad gave me a pint-size acoustic guitar when I was about three. I took "organ lessons" (yeah...like piano lessons but lamer) when I was 7 or 8. I finally stuck with the guitar when I was 12....so um, my guitar playing can vote now.

2. What instruments do you play and which instruments doyou wish you played?

My first true love is the guitar. I've played drums and bass guitar along the way...but my chops are pretty weak about now. (damn sequencers!) I can noodle on a keyboard. Hell, I wish I could play them all! But I really would love to play trumpet, cello and I'd cut off my right hand to play piano well. oh wait...

3. What was your first musical memory?

Sadly, it involved a dispute my parents were having as to whether or not that particular time was a good one for listening to Grand Funk. Being the mama's boy I was, I took it upon myself to take the record off. In one fell swoop I learned how NOT to remove a needle from a record and that music (or lack thereof) can trigger powerful emotions. This was probably like 1975...and I still have that album. Yes, "We're an American Band" still skips.

4. What was your first album you bought and your first concert you attended?

The first record I can remember buying with my own money was Queen's Greatest Hits. First concert was Cyndi Lauper at Timberwolf....although I would later tell people that Megadeth w/ Warlock and Sanctuary at Bogart's was my first "real" concert.

5. Which curse word are you partial to?

They're all good....but I have a special place in my heart for "dumbfuck".

6. If this were a confessional, what would you confess?

That attending Catholic school for 12 years may have warped my brain more than has been generally acknowledged.

7. If you could be any superhero or villain, who would it be?

Wolverine...because then I could continue to enjoy cigarettes without feeling like such a dumbfuck all the time.

8. What is one of your traits that your friends tease you about?

Hmmm...My friends don't really tease me. I know how to pick 'em. My wife thinks I'm a hypochondriac, though.

9. If you could erase one band from musical history, who would it be?

No one. The absence of one band could not possibly make a noticeable difference in the history of music....(yes yes...even the Beatles) And everyone deserves their fair shot. You can just turn it off if you don't like it.

10. What album do you own that would ruin your indie credibility?

Depends what soopah scene kid was looking through my record collection, I suppose. There's something in there to make everyone laugh. If I had to take a stab, I'd say the Annie soundtrack. "We love you, Miss Hannigan!"

11. If money wasn?t a hindrance, what studio would your record and who would be the producer?

First off, money is not a hindrance...it's awesome...I just need way more of it!!! I'd love to do something in Abbey Road or Electric Ladyland just for the historical significance of the locations. But honestly, the key to making a good recording is being comfortable with your environment so I would be far more prone to either build my fantasy home studio or do it at Ultrasuede. I had my bachelor party there. I have a lot of good memories from that place...like seeing the Fairmount Girls Valentine show a few years back. And the folks there have always been topnotch. What's a producer? I mean...have you heard our records? Seriously if I could hand pick someone without limitations or constraints I would have no idea. I'm sure there's someone I've never heard of who would be perfect. Elvis Costello has always had a knack for capturing the spirit of a band...like on "Rum, Sodomy and the Lash"...but would it translate to what we try to do? Ric Ocasek maybe? Mark Mothersbaugh? I know...if money were no object, I would find a way to re-animate Frank Zappa to do it.

12. What is the weirdest reaction you have received from a fan?

After a set at the Comet, a girl in the crowd insisted that I verify she had actually wet herself while watching us. Later she claimed it was an explosive orgasm and not urine, but I wouldn't know. I didn't smell my finger.

13. What is your pre-gig ritual?

It's evolved. Now I check and double check and triple check that I actually brought everything. I pace around. I harass the sound man. I drink a few beers (or so). I meditate. I dread that something will go horribly wrong. I try to find Vinnie.

14. What should a crowd expect at Le TechnoPUSS13S show?

Magic. Anti-work. Silliness. Freedom.

15. What is your favorite Le TechnoPUSS13S song and why?

I bounce around on that one quite a bit. Obviously thereare at least parts of every song that I really enjoy but right now I'd have to say "Hungry Nation". It has some great synth sounds and the guitar is fun. We haven't actually performed it live yet, so we'll see how much I like it after we cross that bridge. It will be on our forthcoming release "Trickle Down Lobotomy" which I SWEAR will someday be finished.

16. Describe your favorite on stage outfit and antics.

Vinnie as a nun was pretty good. At Plush one time we had some nice spacesuits with peacock feathers...that was R-A-D. As far as antics are concerned, we've definitely had our share and then some. I guess some notables would be getting hosed down by paint from members of the audience at the Guildhaus, Vinnie trying to make ass-prints on Northside Tavern's front window and, of course, me blinding Vinnie with the silly string gun at Midpoint. Once again....I am soooo sooooo sorry!!!

17. Which venue is your favorite to perform?

Ya know, my original intent when we started the band was to play once a month at a different venue each show. This is when I thought MAYBE we'd get to play seven or eight times before everyone realized how horrible we were. Obviously, things are not going according to plan and we've developed a comfort zone with some venues...which I can't say is a negative. I like Northside Tavern for the people and the lack of door charge - it's always a fun time. The ballroom at Southgate House is awesome. I love the sound and the room. I like not doubling as the soundman. When that room is full...it's a beautiful thing.

18. What is the one thing you would change in the local music industry?

Well...firstly, we would need a local music industry. I mean, we have a lot of great talent here and more and more is getting out into the world, but Cincinnati lacks a lot of infrastructure. Apparently, hard working German immigrants and their progeny didn't really view the role of artist as a career choice. I honestly think that things are headed in a great direction here, though. There is more outreach to educate the exurban population about the local scene and a lot of bands are getting national buzz. Hopefully the new city council will realize that this is a great music town and move to capitalize on that in a way that doesn't inadvertently poison the well. It would be great to play a show with a crowd not entirely composed of other local musicians. Don't get me wrong, that says wonders for how supportive the players are...but it would be a real move forward to get a larger segment of the population on board. I wish a larger contingent of Cincinnatians were brave enough to embrace local acts without needing approval from some national or big-city consensus. Is that more than one thing? I do believe in the inter-relatedness of all things.

19. Name a few of your favorite Bands.

Of all time: Motorhead, Queen, The Clash, Elvis Costello & the Attractions. I must admit that I listen primarily to stuff I've loved forever and local acts. And in the car, it's classic rock or hiphop because that's a good A/B comparison of cutting edge production values in different eras. (Fairly) recent stuff I'm listening to would be The Flaming Lips, the last couple Mescaleros records...I dunno...the Fall? My tastes are so fickle and open-ended....could you ask an easier question? Like "what's the square root of Pi?"

20. Name a few of your favorite Cincinnati Bands.

Lately...Staggering Statistics, Savalas, the new FGs line-up is superb, And How, 1000 Arms, Kelp, [in] camera, Mohenjo Daro. Gone but not forgotten...BuBuKlan, Ditchweed, the Mortals, Shoot the Gift, Lazy, Rottweilers, Dugout, and on and on.