------Feature • April Macie------Leave ’Em Wanting By Deborah Kennedy

There’s a common misconcep- tion about female comedians. Most people think that if you’re a woman and you’re funny you also probably have a face or body for radio. Of course, funny women like Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Sarah Silverman have belied that stereotype for years now, and up-and-coming Titian tal- ent April Macie is basically blowing the whole idea out of the water. She’s ------Feature • ------funny, she’s vulgar and she’s hot. She is, in entertainment industry parlance, a triple threat, and she’s also coming to Snickerz Thursday-Saturday, June 23-25 with Twin Cities-based comic Mike Brody. When I caught up with Macie via phone, she was sitting in the Sacra- Recording Artist mento airport, waiting on her third early morning flight of the week. The By Michele DeVinney many made inquiries about how I did this woman is in high demand, and that’s or how I did that, and I had numerous re- just fine with her, although she said One of the biggest changes in the mu- quests for internships. I thought this was a the life of a standup comic is a tough sic industry over the past two decades has great opportunity to do something differ- one, particu- been the opportunity for artists to do more ent, something more professional. So it was larly “for a APRIL MACIE than create their music but also to produce, three years of very intensive work as well as broad.” engineer and distribute it. Technology has a lot of post-production. It was all scripted “It’s still w/Mike Brody put more control into the hands of those who and very well thought out.” very back of Thurs., June 23 • 7:30 p.m. tures of Mr. Bolton, I want to get their music out to the masses, but The DVDs are part of what bring Par- the bus,” she Fri.-Sat., June 24-25 • 7:30 p.m. wondered, but forgot to with such opportunities has also come the sons to Fort Wayne, and promoting them to said, allud- ask). “My grandma lost responsibility of learning the science of mu- the gathering at Sweetwater Sound’s Gear ing to the fact & 9:45 p.m. her speech and only re- sic. Where there Fest 2011 is a that comedy Snickerz Comedy Bar tained about five swear were once teams ALAN PARSONS perfect chance remains, and words, and my dad was of tech geeks to for him to talk to perhaps al- 5535 St. Joe Rd., Fort Wayne so strange and smart he run boards and Saturday, June 25 • 9:30-11 a.m. both like-minded ways will be, Tix: $10.50, 260-486-0216 gave this pervy clown understand the Sweetwater Sound professionals and one big boys’ I worked for my phone inner workings fledgling artists. club. “When you go on stage the guys still number so, I don’t know, he could stalk me? on the production 5501 U.S. 30 W., Fort Wayne Having started introduce you like you’re something differ- It’s all wacko and sad and completely true.” end, now there free, www.sweetwater.com/gearfest his career at Ab- ent. It’s like, ‘Tonight we’ve got a real treat Before the Easton, Pennsylvania native are sometimes bey Road in for you: a lady.’ You feel like a Bundt cake took to the stage she took to promiscuity only band members left to sink or swim on 1969, Parsons abandoned whatever perfor- half the time.” and, an apparent method actor, she used her their own. mance aspirations he might have had in fa- “It’s a lonely, sad life on the road,” she abundant experience to pad her act, which Alan Parsons has been on both sides of vor of learning a new craft and sitting on the continued. “Where are the violins? Seri- traffics quite a bit in potty humor and jokes that equation. He’s worked as a other side of the studio glass. Having started ously, it’s hard to hold down a relationship. about genitalia. and as the tech guy with his hands on the out as a blues musician in , he gave You’re always going from one place to an- Penis jokes aren’t just for guys anymore. buttons. With several hit songs to his credit up his band in 1969 when he joined Abbey other, staying in highway rape motels with In fact, Macie’s stated goal is breaking down under the banner of the Alan Parsons Proj- Road and didn’t perform again until 1995. weirdos. It’s no place for a proper lady. societal double standards that basically say ect, including “I Wouldn’t Want to Be Like “When I went back to the stage [it was] Thank God I’m not one of those. I’m not sexually explicit humor is the sole property You,” “Time” and “Games People Play,” he with the sole intention of promoting my al- even close.” of men. She also aspires to be the mouth- remains best known for his early work at Ab- bums. I had had in Macie was, instead, the girl in high piece for sexually dissatisfied women ev- bey Road studios, engineering such iconic the meantime, of course, and recorded with school that everyone loved to spread dirty erywhere. Studies show there are many such bands as and winning a Grammy that from 1976-87. But my intention there rumors about. Such rumors might have “in- women, and that could, perhaps, explain for his engineering on ’s master- was never to play live and [I] only did a few volved a football team, a dog and some pea- some of April Macie’s popularity. But, seri- piece, The Dark Side of the Moon. With that cameos on the albums anyway. Playing live nut butter or processed meat.” Who’s hun- ously, look at that picture. With a face like kind of experience, it isn’t surprising that would have been hard because we had a bit gry? that, crowned by wavy red hair and perched and technicians are equally anx- of an identity crisis, a question about what Speaking of hungry, Macie grew up that as it is above a shirt proclaiming a love for ious to learn what they can from the master, it would be that I would do. The standard way. Not literally hungry. Anyway, I don’t wieners, it’s really no mystery why Macie is and Parson decided a few years ago to share joke back then was that I could tell a few think she was on the verge of starvation, but taking the standup world by storm. it all. With his DVD series The Art & Sci- jokes, warm up the crowd before the band she did have a rough childhood, and that Macie already has several accolades to ence of Sound Recording, Parsons shares the played.” helped motivate her to succeed. her credit, including being named a finalist techniques he has learned in more than 40 Even during the lifespan of the Alan “I’m a very damaged person,” she said, on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and the years behind the board. The three-DVD set Parsons Project, Parsons was content to have drolly. (Everything Macie said was droll, “Hottest Funniest Chick” by the fans of the covers a wide range of topics and took Par- others play the music while he manned the and delivered in a slightly nasal, delicious Howard Stern Show. sons more than three years to complete. He controls. By the mid 1990s he felt keyboard deadpan.) “My mom drank every night and That last honor was a particular boon for says it was the best way he knew to answer technology allowed for him to recreate what taped pictures of Michael Bolton to all the Macie who, in lieu of Bolton, has a picture the questions often asked of him. he did in the studio on a live stage and began walls in our house. My aunt was a paranoid of Stern on her wall. It’s a snapshot of the “I had a desire to give something back,’ schizophrenic who would come home and he told me in a recent phone interview. “So Continued on page 19 take a mallet to our drywall” (to the pic- Continued on page 19 6------www.whatzup.com------June 16, ’11 ------Calendar • On The Road------The Spinners July 7 DTE Energy Music Center Clarkston, MI ALAN PARSONS - From Page 6 Stacy Mitchhart w/Bart Walker Band & Josh Garrett & The Bottom Line June 17 BBQ Ribfest/Headwaters Park Fort Wayne making a few appearances. While he doesn’t having to learn technology quickly in order Steely Dan July 15 Murat Theatre Indianapolis maintain a hectic touring schedule now, up- to move their careers forward and hopes to Steely Dan July 16 Fox Theatre Detroit coming dates in Europe and South America help them find that path. Steely Dan July 19 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati Steely Dan ($49.50-$79.50) July 20 Toledo Zoo Amphitheatre Toledo demonstrate that the demand still remains “Almost all musicians have become Steve Earle July 19 Vic Theatre Chicago for his music. Having whittled down the technicians in the modern age. I’m hoping Steve Martin & Martin Short June 19 Chicago Theatre Chicago size of his entourage over the years (he used that my DVDs lift the veil of mystery sur- Steve Miller Band Aug. 4 Chicago Theatre Chicago to insist that no two consecutive songs on rounding the recording process. Every mu- Steven Curtis Chapman w/Jars of Clay & Francesca Battistelli June 26 DTE Energy Music Center Clarkston, MI any album would have the same singer), sician on earth eventually has to learn this Styx & Yes July 19 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville touring has become less cumbersome than – it’s pretty much inevitable. And I want to Styx & Yes July 20 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI it would have been had he endeavored to try help them do so the way I learned my skills Sublime with Rome & 311 July 13 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI Sublime with Rome & 311 July 14 Charter One Pavilion Chicago in the 70s and 80s. from other engineers at .” Sublime with Rome & 311 July 16 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati But before he heads to Spain in August, Covering material on the DVDs is a big Sublime with Rome & 311 July 17 LC Pavilion Columbus, OH first he makes his appearance at next week’s part of his presentation for Sweetwater, but Sugarland w/Sara Bareilles July 9 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI Gear Fest where he’ll plug his DVDs and fans will be happy to know that there will Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 23 House of Blues Cleveland introduce the audience to his website, Alan also be a Q&A session at the end. And Par- Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 24 Bogart’s Cincinnati Parsons’ Art & Science of Sound Recording sons is pretty sure he knows what direction Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 26 St. Andrew’s Hall Detroit (www.artandscienceofsound.com) where that will take. Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 28 Orbit Room Grand Rapids some material from the DVDs can be down- “That’s when everyone asks about the Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 29 Murat Egyptian Room Indianapolis Taking Back Sunday w/Thursday & Colour Revolt July 31 House of Blues Chicago loaded for free. Parsons knows that more Beatles and Pink Floyd,” he said. “That’s Taylor Swift w/needtobreathe July 28 Van Andel Arena Grand Rapids and more musicians are finding themselves usually what they want to know.” w/May Day, Krizz Kaliko, Calhoun, Steve Stone, Jay Rock Rig Scoob & Shadow July 15 House of Blues Chicago Tech N9ne w/May Day, Krizz Kaliko, Calhoun, Steve Stone, Jay Rock Rig Scoob & Shadow July 16 Emerald Theatre Mt. Clemens, MI Tech N9ne w/May Day, Krizz Kaliko, Calhoun, Steve Stone, Jay Rock Rig Scoob & Shadow July 17 Agora Ballroom Cleveland Tech N9ne w/May Day, Krizz Kaliko, Calhoun, Steve Stone, Jay Rock Rig Scoob & Shadow July 18 Alrosa Villa Columbus, OH APRIL MACIE - From Page 6 Ted Leo & The Pharmacists w/Tweak Bird July 28 Earth House Collective Indianapolis wooly-headed radio host mid-guffaw, and it off when she discovered that her fiancé was Ted Nugent ($27 adv., $30 d.o.s.) Aug. 6 Piere’s Fort Wayne was gratifying for Macie to see him in that renting out their home for porn shots. Texas Hippie Coalition June 24 The Gin Mill Fort Wayne state, thanks to a joke she told. And while You can’t make this stuff up, but you Those Darlins ($7) Aug. 13 CS3 Tiger Room Fort Wayne Three Dog Night ($25) July 15 Foellinger Theatre Fort Wayne she admires Stern, she drew the line at going can make it funny, and that’s Macie’s stock Tim McGraw w/Luke Bryan & The Band Perry June 24 DTE Energy Music Theatre Clarkston, MI topless on his show, as many not-so-proper in trade. To Macie, comedy isn’t simply en- Tim McGraw w/Luke Bryan & The Band Perry July 16 First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre Tinley Park, IL ladies have done in the past. tertainment; it’s her calling. She even trav- Tim McGraw w/Luke Bryan & The Band Perry July 17 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville “I had my excuse all planned on the eled, with a number of other women comics, Tim McGraw w/Luke Bryan & The Band Perry July 31 Riverbend Music Center Cincinnati plane ride. I was going to tell him, ‘Look, to Iraq and Kuwait to perform for soldiers as Tim Wilson w/John Burton ($14.50) July 28-30 Snickerz Comedy Club Fort Wayne I adore you, but I’m not showing you my part of the “It’s Not That Time of the Month” Toots & The Maytals ($25) July 13 Magic Bag Ferndale, MI breasts. I wouldn’t even show them to FDR.’ tour. The Tossers ($6) Aug. 19 Botanical Conservatory Fort Wayne Trace Adkins July 16 Fraze Pavilion Kettering, OH But you know what? He didn’t ask. It was Macie might be on the young side (she Umphrey’s McGee w/Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears June 25 White River State Park Indianapolis lovely.” was born in 1975), but she’s old enough to Underoath w/Letlive, Times of Grace & Stray from the Path July 21 Headliners Toledo In addition to her obviously charming have figured a few things out. She no lon- Uriah Heep June 17 Fraze Pavilion Kettering, OH appearance on Stern, she’s gone on “Talk ger worries about bombing on stage because UV Hippo w/Yamn July 31 The Gin Mill Fort Wayne Soup,” E! Entertainment Television and has she’s gotten enough laughs and enough gigs Valencia w/With Honors & Don’t Call It a Comeback ($10-$12) July 3 Emerson Theater Indianapolis been called “an emerging talent to watch” to know she’s good at what she does. And, Vanity Theft w/People at Parties June 19 The Brass Rail Fort Wayne by the Hollywood Reporter. She’s also per- instead of trying to compete with her fel- Veil of Maya w/The Contortionist ($10-$13) June 25 Emerson Theater Indianapolis formed for the troops and is featured in the low female comedians, she wants to help lift Volbeat w/Cold & Anchored ($20 adv., $23 d.o.s.) July 28 Piere’s Fort Wayne Warped Tour July 7 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville new documentary I Am Comic along with them up. Warped Tour July 8 Comerica Park Detroit comic legends Roseanne Barr, Tim Allen “That’s my dream, to have the ability to Warped Tour July 9 First Midwest Bank AMphitheatre Chicago and Louis C.K. really help other female comics,” she said. Warped Tour July 20 Tower City Amphitheatre Cleveland “There’s all these really great comedi- “I don’t think women champion women Weird Al Yankovic ($15-$35) July 2 Meadow Brook Music Festival Detroit ans and then one who drives a Toyota Echo. enough. I mean, after ‘Last Comic Standing’ Whitechapel w/Oceano & Within Ruins ($15-$18) July 15 Emerson Theater Indianapolis Me.” I finally got to the point where I was head- Whitney Cummings June 16 Vic Theatre Chicago Macie’s website URL is aprilmacie- lining gigs, but if you’re a middle woman, Widow w/Argonaut, Sacred Dawn, Vindicator, Draekon, Age of Distrust & A Tortured Soul June 17 Frontier Ranch Petaskala, OH Yellowcard & Good Charlotte June 18 Murat Egyptian Room Indianapolis ishilarious.com, and she is hilarious. Don’t if you’re in the supporting role, chances are Yes & Styx July 19 Verizon Wireless Music Center Noblesville believe me? Check out the video of Macie you can only [book] club dates if you’re on Yes & Styx July 20 DTE Energy Music Center Clarkston, MI playing a deaf prostitute on hand to service the road with some guy who’s perving on a white gorilla and you’ll get an idea of her you. And you have to tolerate that because natural gifts. Aiding her God-given talents is no one will book two women in one night. her aforementioned checkered past which, in They’ll book two guys until the cows come Road Tripz addition to some high school-age indiscre- home, but not two women, and that has to BackWater June 18...... Charlie’s, Hicksville, OH tions, includes work as a Hooters waitress, a change.” July 1...... Salamonie Summer Festival, Warren My Lost Tribe nanny, a clown’s assistant and a telemarket- She sighed and paused for a moment. “I Aug. 18-21...... Indiana Beach Resort, Monticello June 25...... Remedy, Convoy, OH er. She was fired from most, if not all, of her guess it’s up to me to fix it. I want to be the Out From Darkness Aug. 27...... Jellystone Campground, Plymouth jobs. And she was engaged once but broke it Betty Friedan of my generation.” Dan Dickerson and the Harp Condition June 24...... Planet Rock, Battle Creek July 1-4...... Grateful Fest, Garretsville, OH Spike and the Bulldogs Grave Robber June 24...... Putman County Fair, Ottawa, OH June 28...... Cornerstone Festival, Bushnell, IL June 25...... Blackford County 4-H Fair, Hartford City July 15...... Sonshine Fest, Wilmar, MN June 25...... Covered Bridge Festival, Centerville, MI Aug. 19...... State Theatre, St. Petersburg, FL July 4...... Maconaqah Park, Peru Aug. 20...... Godzfest, Palmetto, FL July 17...... Friends of the Arts, Ft. Recovery, OH The J Taylors July 18...... Madison County Fair, Alexandria June 24...... Willshire Days Festival, Willshire, OH July 22...... Randolph Nursing Home, Winchester KillNancy July 30....Hickory Acres Campground, Edgerton, OH July 15...... Rehab Bar & Grill, Indianapolis Aug. 6...... Stateline Festival, Union City Kill The Rabbit Start Me Up June 18...... Rockford Days, Rockford, OH July 8...... The Shed, Maryville, TN June 24...... The Blarney Stone, South Bend July 9...... Wild Cat Harley Davidson, , KY June 25...... Greazy Pickle, Portland Taylor Fredricks July 4...... Van Wert County Fairgrounds, Van Wert June 17...... The Gear, Franklin, IN July 8...... Yeehas, Orgeon, OH Fort Wayne Area Performers: To get your gigs on July 30...... The Ugly Monkey, Indianapolis this list, give us a call at 424-4200, fax your info to Aug. 11...... American Legion, Van Wert 424-6600, e-mail [email protected] or mail Aug. 20...... Greazy Pickle, Portland to whatzup, 1747 Saint Marys Ave., Fort Wayne, IN Meanstreak 46808.

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