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Interview w/Jane and DallasVoice.com

New interview w/Jane and the DallasVoice.com

Lady Go-Go by Rich Lopez
Nothing makes you feel older than an album from your youth celebrating a milestone anniversary. Nothing! Those defining tunes as you came of age may be timeless, but it’s a reminder that you aren’t.

As the seminal ‘80s band the Go-Go’s celebrates three decades since Beauty and the Beat, time seems to have hardly touched guitarist Jane Wiedlin. With her little girl voice and sassy wit, Wiedlin has kept the same spunk she had when the iconic girl group burst onto the scene.

“In some ways it feels like three years ago and other ways, like 300 years ago,” she says.

Wiedlin wants to make one thing clear: The concert she and her bandmates will give this weekend is not part of a reunion tour — there’s nothing to reunite. Rather, the Go-Go’s just aren’t “a very active band” who have taken “a big chunk of time off.”

Whether or not she’s kidding, the tour has injected the band with a vigor that they’ll put on display Friday at the House of Blues. Dallas thought they might get a nostalgic taste of the band when they were set to perform last year. But Wiedlin unintentionally derailed that.

“It was the day after my birthday and a few of us decided to take a midnight hike up to the top of this hill,” she explains. “We wanted to have this epic light saber battle. But as we walked home, I literally fell right off a cliff. I heard my knees explode; I was rolling through poison oak! I went and found the cliff and I had fallen about 15 feet.”

Such an anecdote reveals several things about Wiedlin: She’s an admitted Star Wars geek, and she’s the adventurous type. She has a limp now, but otherwise, she’s back in the game. The time off gave her some time for introspection — about touring in the early days, the fun the ladies had on the road and the experience of putting those shows together. Even with the ups-and-downs of the band, she thought everyone was having the best time possible — why not again?

“You know, I get sucked into the minutiae of being onstage, but it’s extraordinary,” she says with little gasps. “Our intention is to make this tour the most fun we’ve had in decades, which will make it fun for other people.”

Which seems like a given with such musical faves like “We Got the Beat,” “Vacation” and “Head Over Heels.” But is new music in sight for the band that never really broke up? Wiedlin and the gang aren’t ruling it out.

“It looks possible to record together, even though we don’t have to have a major label,” she says. “That used to be such a big deal to make music, but now with the web, it’s very DIY. Like getting back to those ‘70s punk rock days. Charlotte [Caffey] and Kathy [Valentine] just wrote a new song for the band.”

Wiedlin gives the impression that she can’t sit still, whether she’s a star in the comic book Lady Robotica, partaking in her admission that she’s a BDSM perv or acting in indie films, Wiedlin’s voice suggests she may never stop working — whatever the work may be.

“I’m working all the time. I just wrote and directed my first sci-fi movie, The Pyrex Glitch,” she says. “That’s on the film fest circuit. Hopefully people will find it as funny as I do. But we’re all really busy. Belinda [Carlisle] has her jewelry and textile company and Gina [Schock] is been writing songs for Miley Cyrus. Everybody is still so active even though we’re old.”

Wiedlin has discussed her bisexuality, although she prefers to stay away from labels. In an interview with AfterEllen.com, she told the site she’s had sex with both sexes, but that “bisexuality is such a loaded term.” But she loves her gays and as Prop 8 played out in California, she experienced both the joy of gaining equality and the disappointment of marriage privileges being taken away.

“For a few months in the summer of 2008, we got equal rights,” she says. “I wanted to be part of that celebration! But then Prop 8 happened and I’ve been fighting it ever since. I became an ordained minister to marry same-sex couples. I’ll go anywhere to do that so people can be together as they should be. Oh, and as a disclaimer, I’m completely non-religious.”

Her focus is now on the tour and even with her bum knees, she laughs off any obstacle that would keep her from enjoying giving a good show. And while the audience will hear Go-Go’s hits and perhaps even Carlisle’s, don’t be so sure on hearing Wiedlin’s one-hit wonder song “Rush Hour.” The pop confection made a top 10 splash back in 1988. In fact, she’s almost betting on it.

“You know, that song has been a thorn in my side,” she chuckles. “It is so hard to play live because it has like millions of synths in it. I’ve never been able to crack it to make it sound good, but I’d love to hear Belinda sing it.”

We’d go for that.

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Interviews

Chula Vista High Teacher Goes Live with the Go-Go’s

Read this great article about our fantastic stage sound manager and guitar tech John McCourt

Chula Vista High Teacher Goes Live with the Go-Go’s

Students have the opportunity to view live rock show and apply their learning

On most Saturday nights teachers take the time to relax and prepare for the week ahead. Last Saturday, Chula Vista High School teacher John McCourt was working. He wasn’t preparing lesson plans or grading papers – he was backstage with the famous all-female band, The Go-Go’s, making sure that they sounded perfect for a sold out performance.

The GoGos Backstage
Teachers John McCourt and John Ray pose with students from the Chula Vista High Sound Tech Program backstage with The Go Go’s

What made this particular performance special was that McCourt was joined by nine students from the Sound Tech program at Chula Vista High. The students were given the opportunity to meet the band, help set up and break down the stage and watch the stage crew work-putting what they’ve learned in the classroom into practice.

For the past eight years, McCourt has been working with The Go Go’s as a Stage Sound Manager and Guitar Technician when the group goes on tour. This year, the tour coincided with summer break and he hit the road with the band.

When McCourt learned that the tour would be coming to Temecula, he arranged to have several of his students attend the show and help with the setup, sound check and to see the show from backstage.

GoGos sound board
Chula Vista High students Robert Garcia, Lorell Casillas and Saul Cuapio monitoring the sound board before a sold-out show with The Go-Go’s

“Experiencing live music this way is different,” said Junior Iseult Romo. “We have a special opportunity and we are privileged.”

As a teenager, McCourt said he would hang around bands and eventually someone gave him a job working at a young adult night club where after some time, he learned how to work the sound board. After working with several San Diego based acts like Ratt and Ozzy Osborne/Badlands guitarist Jake E. Lee, he decided to move to Hollywood and immerse himself in the music industry.

A Bonita Vista High graduate, McCourt decided that after several years of being on the road and working shows for acts like Great White, Motorhead, Hiroshima, Dave Koz, David Sanborn, and countless others, it was time to come home, finish college and start a teaching career.

“You have a lot of time on the road,” said McCourt. “I’ve always loved to read and decided I wanted to get a degree in Literature and teach.”

After getting his credential in 1998, McCourt knew he wanted to teach in the Sweetwater District but he didn’t realize that Chula Vista High had a School of Creative and Performing Arts. After meeting the school principal, he knew that his experience in music would be a perfect fit.

CVH teacher John McCourt
Chula Vista High teacher John McCourt backstage during a live performance of The Go-Go’s

Along with Olympian High teacher, Eric Mabrey – then a teacher at Chula Vista High – McCourt started the Sound Technology Program. The program teaches students about live sound technology and applications. His students also learn the importance of work ethic, reputation and social skills.

“This is such an incredible opportunity for the students,” said Board President John McCann. “Being able to see their teacher apply the skills that he teaches in class at this level is truly a great thing.”

Although teaching takes up most of his time, McCourt still does sound for several acts, including jazz group Hiroshima, and constantly gets offers from others. He says that being able to actually be a practitioner of what he teaches is important for students to see.

“There are a lot of opportunities for the students,” said McCourt. “They learn that if you stick it out, work at it and be the best at it, it will pay off.”

At the end of the night and a spirited 90-minute set by The Go-Go’s that included several of their hits such as “Vacation,” “Our Lips Are Sealed,” and “We Got the Beat,” Senior Ricky Wilson could only say one thing – “It was awesome!”

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Band News

More thanks!!

We said a big thanks to Jim Ginter, DeDe Kelez, Joseph Vidaurri and Lee Smith for spearheading the campaign to get the Go-Go’s nominated for a Star but we also want to say thanks to all the contributors who generously donated to the Star Fund. 🙂

1 Joseph Vidaurri Altanta, GA
2 Jim Ginter Chicago, IL
3 DeDe Kelez San Jose, CA
4 Karyn Karmin Forest Hills, NY
5 Sheree Martin Birmingham, AL
6 Kari Inda Milwaukee, WI
7 Glenn Gortney San Francisco, CA
8 Kim Bartimus Independence, MO
9 William Nichols Vernon, NY
10 Diane Gagliardo Ridgefield, NJ
11 Claire Fontana  San Rafael, CA
12 Kim Brisack San Francisco, CA
13 Jim Hazlett Cambridge, MA
14 Kristen Downer Burlingame, CA
15 George Fletcher Bethpage, NY
16 Deana Mann Tampa, FL
17 Andy Dixon Charlottesville, VA
18 Barbara Grant San Leandro, CA
19 Gary Bailey Melbourne, Fl
20 Amber Serkez Boca Raton, FL
21 Robert Filipski Dover, NJ
22 Risty Perez El Segundo, CA
23 Christine Zealand Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
24 Sarrah Soza Fresno, CA
25 Kristen Kelez San Jose, CA
26 Rusty Hefner Huntington, WV
27 Jamey Shepherd
28 Kay Collier Greensboro, NC
29 Faith Liebl Chicago, IL
30 Bill O’Hara Lynbrook NY
31 Brian Curtiss East Hartford, CT
32 Tom Botte NYC, NY
33 Linda Pickering Washington, DC
34 Marjorie DelaCruz Havelock, NC
35 Philip Drenth
San Diego, CA
36 Betsy Cruz Yorba Linda, CA
37 Douglas Quint NYC, NY
38 Earl Howard North Hollywood, CA
39 Roger Hanger Kansas City, MO
40 Rick Haylock
41 John Krop CA
42 Daniel Thome Grand Rapids, MI
43 Heather Kelez Irvine, CA
44 Mark Massegee Las Vegas, NV
45 Monty Coon Mentor Ohio
46 Amanda Hickey Madison, WI
47 Robert Giem Newport Beach, CA
48 Anonymous donor in honor of Edith Massey East coast, USA
49 Francesca Somma San Diego, CA
50 Zoe Pamintuan Redlands, CA
51 Lisa Lister Philadelphia, PA
52 Darlene Capriotti Drexel Hill, PA
53 Philip Drenth & Daryl Nagamine (eBay Auction Winner!) San Diego, CA
54 Duncan Edwards UK
55 Ron Haney San Francisco, CA
56 Harold Requenez McAllen, TX
57 Kerri Cornell Indianapolis, IN
58 Joseph Wierzbicki Sacramento, CA
59 Jeffrey Cervone Chatham, NJ
60 Maddy1 East coast, USA
61 Robert Giem (eBay Auction Winner!) Newport Beach, CA
62 David Ryan Smithtown, NY
63 Andy Dixon (eBay Auction Winner!) Charlottesville, VA
64 Amber Serkez (eBay Auction Winner!) Boca Raton, FL
65 Douglas Short West Hollywood, CA
66 John Novello San Diego, CA
67 BangleBob USA
68 Ed Roberts Atlanta, GA
69 Risty Perez (eBay Auction Winner!) El Segundo, CA
70 Mark Simmons Costa Mesa, CA
71 James Stuart (eBay Auction Winner!) Baton Rouge, LA
72 Brian Madsen (eBay Auction Winner!) Eldon, MO
73 Diane Gagliardo (eBay Auction Winner!) Ridgefield, NJ
74 Robert W. Hermanowski
75 Greg & Trey Neumarke (eBay Auction Winner!) Chicago, IL
77 Sandi Finefield Lockport, IL
78 Terry Green Arcata, CA
79 Bethann Grabelsky Chicago, IL
80 Teddy Labis Los Angeles, CA
81 Jason Chronis Pittsburgh, PA
82 Sylvia Bowlby Little Rock, AR
83 Kevin Kralj Youngstown, OH
84 Mark Wagner Mokena, IL
85 Robert Hermanowski Aurora, OH
86 Chris Clayton Salt Lake City, UT
87 Mark 21st Century Cool
88 Sam Wong San Diego, CA
89 Christine Zealand Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada
90 Heather Spohn Diamond Springs, CA
91 Chase Martin Thorntown, IN
92 Kissproof Girl Orange County, CA
93 Lorelei Alex Parsippany, NJ
94 Stephen Shields
95 Gilles Herambourg Southampton, Hampshire, UK
96 Martin Smith Camberley, Surrey, UK
97 Ted Thompson Dallas, TX
98 Carol Williams So Cal
99 Craig Ehr San Jose, CA
100 John Moran New Orleans, LA
101 Vahona Richardson Chicago, IL
102 Andy Dunn
103 Michelle Cohen
104 Erika Gomez Downey, CA
105 Luke W. Womick New York, NY
106 Paul Velasquez Montbello, CA
107 Edgar DelosAngeles Long Beach, CA
108 Anthony Meade Montgomery, IL
109 Alison Valente Union, NJ
110 Tammy L. Cromwell Lorain, OH
111 Robert E. Thomas Toledo, OH
112 Robert M. Foster Las Vegas, NV
113 Ernie Ramos Petal, MS
114 Kim Callahan Sacramento, CA
115 Christopher Mora Corpus Christi, TX
116 April Haynes Anaheim, CA
117 Michelle Terrien West Haven, CT
118 Bill Buntain Los Angeles, CA
119 Michelle Shinn Newport News, VA
120 David Ashton Liverpool, England
121 Amanda Pond Glendale, CA
122 Peter Maxwell Encinitas, CA
123 Coleen Kreuper Arcadia, CA
124 Leina Mojica
125 Brian Jeffries Valencia, CA
126 Eric Nordin Sweden
127 Jodi Long
128 Kara Springer Roswell, GA
129 U62.CC Casselberry, FL
130 Stephen Shields Redondo Beach, CA
131 Dana Sneed Parsippany, NJ
132 Charles Castaldo New York, NY
133 Daniel Melvold Van Nuys, CA
134 Sarah Kramer Victoria, Canada
135 Judith M Wheeler Boise, ID
136 Phyllis Eckard
137 Torey Stern Chicago, IL
138 Peer Dollinger Krokstadelva, Norway
139 Jennifer Dutschmann
140 Michael Messecar Stamford, CT
141 Robert Aldava Los Angeles, CA
142 Andrew Katsinis Williamsville, NY
143 Paul Dollinger KROKSTADELVA, Norway
144 David Lewis Bridgeport, CT
145 Jeffrey Young Boaz, AL
146 atomic gabe Pasadena, CA
147 Dirk Schuhmacher Germany
148 Fred and Dottie Stilo Matawan, NJ
149 Gonzalo Silva, JR MORAGA, CA
150 R. Blackwood ST. CROIX, VI
151 Kelly D. Lawrence NEENAH, WI
152 John Montero SACRAMENTO, CA
153 ANONYMOUS USA
154 Sam Mahin ORLANDO, FL
155 Angie Wagner MT. PLEASANT, WI
156 Michael Dinelle SPRINGFIELD, MA