Category: Interviews

A stroke of genius: He’s young and hungry but the ideas come fast

Jae-Ha Kim

Frank Lindner was too young to buy a copy of Playboy at most stores when he went to work as the magazine’s art historian. Before leaving his teens, he had worked his way into a job that sounds like every man’s fantasy come to life. Today, the 22-year-old bachelor is works as a free-lance art director and illustrator for the Limelight nightclub. His latest work – a series of sensual murals dubbed “Erotic Haze” – is on exhibit through October at the Limelight, 632 N. Dearborn.

Bon Jovi plays fairy godmother to Cinderella

Jae-Ha Kim

The story of Cinderella reads like a rock ‘n’ roll fairy tale. The band’s debut album, “Night Songs,” has sold more than a million copies, and the four hard rockers are on their second major tour in two years. The Philadelphia-based quartet will be the opening act for the immensely popular Bon Jovi in concerts starting at 8 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Rosemont Horizon.

Rockin’ Scots Hipsway will sway here

Jae-Ha Kim

“Somebody was saying that I was too tall to be a rock singer,” Grahame “Skin” Skinner said. “Actually, I didn’t sing in most of the groups I was in before because I didn’t think I had a good voice. I played a little guitar — very little. The theory goes that a baritone doesn’t reach his potential until he’s 35, so I’ve still got several years to ago. Then I can make my comeback.”

Oingo Boingo — the group and music – defies pigeonhole

Jae-Ha Kim

According to John Avila of the rock group Oingo Boingo, “Boi-ngo”– the title of their latest album – is Japanese slang for “big breasts.” “Don’t quote me on that, though,” Avila said, laughing. “I’m just the bassist, not the linguist. That’s not why we chose that name, though. It was just an interesting title that’s a play on the group’s name. It sounded like fun, and all of us agreed it was a catchy title, so we used it.”

Ninja actor gets a kick from karate film work

Jae-Ha Kim

Cannon Films is touting actor Michael Dudikoff as the next big action hero. Luckily for him, there’s not a lot he can’t do physically.A longtime fitness enthusiast, he’s adept at most sports – except karate. That may surprise fans who saw him play a martial arts expert in “American Ninja.”
Dudikoff’s latest film, “American Ninja 2: The Confrontation,” is now playing at local theaters. The sequel to the successful 1985 thriller marks Dudikoff’s return as stoic superhero Joe Armstrong.

By any other name, rock’s World Party is Karl Wallinger

Jae-Ha Kim

Welsh musician Karl Wallinger doesn’t seem comfortable doing interviews. The singer-songwriter has no trouble coming up with answers, but isn’t used to the attention. “The last time I was in America, I was with the Waterboys,” Wallinger said by phone from New York. “Since Mike (Scott) was essentially the Waterboys, I got to sleep while he did most of the interviews. It was rather nice, actually.”

Pop star Paul Young is at home on tour

Jae-Ha Kim

During Paul Young’s last visit to the United States, he impaled himself onstage and was propositioned on national television. He’s still not sure which made him feel more uncomfortable. “I’m never quite sure when I’m being chatted up,” said the soulful British pop singer. On NBC’s “Tonight” show, actress Sonja Braga indicated she was interested in more than Young’s British accent. “I just sat there thinking, `This can’t be happening.’ It’s quite easy to flirt when you’re onstage, but in private, it’s a totally different situation.”