Scriptures
Brimstone Interviews & Postings
Popstars Plus Interview 2
Popstars Plus, 2009-2-17
By: Lon Dobbs
Brimstone, thank you for taking the time to do another interview with
me. In the first interview I asked you a number of basic questions about you
and your career. This time around, I would like to dig a little deeper and try
to find out more about the mystique of the Brimstone character, but first, I
want to get a low down on all of the things you have been up to.
In the past year alone, your career seems to have been jumping from leaps and
bounds. Quietly you have been stretching yourself into all different directions
and may very well become the new king of all media. Let me ask you a few
questions about each. . .
First off, you have roles in a number of movies that are about to be released on
the big screen and videos, such as Blood Line, The Roadhouse and Touch and Go.
Tell me something about these movies, and how different is playing the role of
Brimstone as opposed to player the various roles in these movies?
It’s great to be back here on Pop Stars Plus, it’s been awhile! I’d made a
life changing decision not long after the last interview where I decided that
the future of my career would need to be of a more “mainstream” nature. I have
always loved the acting aspect of professional wrestler and it seemed like the
perfect transition into the realm of movies and television. However, the first
projects I started working on initially outside the “safe” umbrella of wrestling
were as you know theBORDERHOUNDS comic book and penning my autobiography. I’ve
been fortunate enough to get involved with a bunch of great projects that are
premiering this year and others that will begin filming this year. I’m excited
that I’ve been given the opportunity to take my career in entertainment to the
next level through film; it’s such a completely different atmosphere! In Blood
Line I play a character named “Tyler Stone” who is the personal bodyguard for a
sleazy record executive. I do a featured cameo right at the beginning of the
movie and face-off against one of the lead characters. I attended the wrap
party at the beginning of the month out in the Hamptons and I have to say that
the director Steven Rahaman (Falling Leaves Films) did a phenomenal job on
putting Blood Line together! The Roadhouse, a movie by Nick Pavano (Lightining
Films) was a tremendous amount of fun! I play the role of “Vince” who is a
childhood friend of the main character “Joe Nuzzo” played by a good friend of
mine, Joe Sernio (All My Children, Haunting Evidence, As the World Turns). Nick
(Pavano) gave Joe and I the go ahead to improv a five minute dialogue which
allowed us to just feed off each other. Both films have already been quickly
accepted into some of the biggest film festivals and will both be premiering in
the first few months of 2009. It’s really been a lot of fun to be able to dive
into these characters and I’m looking forward to taking on a few of the
principal roles that I’ll be filming this year. It’s certainly a different feel
playing these characters as opposed to “Brimstone,” although it is all about
telling a story… so as much as it’s different, the more it’s the same. I’ve
done a handful of cameos in some hot videos as well which was a lot of fun. As
you mentioned, I was in Joe Budden’s video for the club banger “Touch and Go.”
Video shoots are long and dare I say painful even when dropping in for a cameo.
I spent the day hanging with a few friends which was a positive, but it is a
long process that is normally banged out in one or two days with a lot of ground
to cover. It’s very interesting how it’s all put together, just very tedious.
Rece Steele (VH1’s Miss Rap Supreme) was on deck with me waiting for the scenes
we were scheduled to do our cameos in and we kept it moving by getting to know
each other better. Other videos that I’ve been featured in are Bethany Davis’
“Lose Control” and two of my friend Frank Lucas Jr.’s videos for “Street Star”
and “Let’s Go.” I actually met Pablo Escobar Jr. on the set for Let’s Go and
have become very close with him since. I’ve somehow gotten tight with the sons
of two of the most notorious names EVER which has been the topic of many
discussions for some reason. It was quite surreal to have Frank Jr. introduce
me to the real “American Gangster” himself while on the Lose Control set. It’s
never a bad thing to have Frank Sr. on your good side!
Your fans might find it interesting that your first foray into
television actually happened 30 years ago, on an episode of Sesame Street.
However, you recently did some acting for the small screen and filmed the pilot
to Power of Six – what type of a role do you have? Did you find any difference
between acting for a movie as opposed to acting for a TV show?
LoL, yeah… I am a Sesame Street alumni and Romper Room alum as well! People
think it is wild considering they think of me now and just find it fascinating.
I’ve actually been looking to do something with Sesame Street again now which I
think would be really cool! The Power of Six pilot has actually not been filmed
thus far. The directors are still casting and are in pre-production however we
were supposed to begin filming in January. The project is a cross between
Heroes and one of my all time favorites Buffy the Vampire Slayer and has
interest from HBO and the Sci-fi Channel. I’ll be playing a principal role as
the main “bad guy” John Whisper who is more or less the devil (a far cry from
Brimstone huh?!?). I’m also in conversations for a couple of very exciting
projects for VH1 and others that I’m waiting for the final word on. It’s
strenuous to sit and wait, wait, wait… but that is the way that this industry
works. Once they are ready to go, it’s like gangbusters!!! My fingers are
crossed that one of these will go into production by Spring, although anything
can happen. It is a very unpredictable business with many twists and turns, but
that’s just entertainment. Movies are just a bigger production of television
which is a bigger production of a video shoot. The one major thing they all
have in common is the downtime factor.
You have also entered the arena of print media. As many of us know, your
self-titled comic book, Borderhounds, is nearly completed [check out the artwork
on www.theBORDERHOUNDS.com]. What is holding it back from completion and do you
have any estimated release date?
There has thankfully been a lot of hype surrounding theBORDERHOUNDS comic
book which is terrific! As many people may or may not know, it takes a lot to
get something like this off the ground. The first challenge was finding my team
who as I have mentioned in the past is an extremely talented group of
individuals from around the country (thank G-d for the internet). The next
progression was to write and then illustrate the comic. We are currently
finishing the production of issue two and will be jumping right onto issue three
as it wraps. The way we are looking to launch the comic depends on which
direction we will ultimately decide works best for the marketing. We will not
be releasing the comic until all four issues of the primary mini-series are
complete; however we are in discussions about a few big things that will take
the comic to a whole new level. We are looking to solidify an animation deal
that will bring theBORDERHOUNDS directly to your homes via a major cartoon
network and then launch the comic through the network to coincide with the
animated show (yes, I would be voicing my own character). I’ve also had
meetings with a few different companies who are very interested in the rights to
do Brimstone action figures, so I feel that it may be a good idea to wrap the
release of each character with an issue of each of the four issues. In this
economy, I want to try and give the fans the most bang for their buck as well as
giving them the best product possible.
You are also trying to tackle the print world in another format, by
publishing a book, an autobiography entitled Brimstone: From the Barren
Wastelands of My Mind. Although you and the Brimstone character have been
around for a while, it is not until recently that you have begun to make a name
for yourself in the public consciousness outside of wrestling, why are you
writing a biography now?
I had started writing the autobiography awhile ago as a personal project to
reflect on my life in general. I made the decision to take it to the public
after an immense amount of feedback from friends and fans telling me repeatedly
that with everything that I have accomplished and are yet to accomplish; that I
should write a book. I’ve been told that I have a very interesting personality
and I think that may be a reason why the BrimBLOG on my Official Website is so
popular. Personally, it’s just my life and I hope that my fans will enjoy the
read. I’m moving forward in my career and life in general so now just seemed
like perfect timing. I’m not closing the chapter on professional wrestling, but
it is not my main focus anymore. In order to aspire for greater things and move
forward, I felt the need to express how I got here to begin with. I was
recently asked to answer a few questions in another book that will be published
in June/July 2009 by BenBella Books. The book entitled, “The Bra Book: The
Fashion Formula to Finding the Perfect Fit” was written by Jene’ Luciani, and my
answers will be featured in chapter 8 “Your Bras and Your Beau.” Jene’ is a
rising star in the fashion industry that I had the pleasure of meeting when she
interviewed me on the red carpet at the Parkinson’s Foundation event that I did
for Michael J. Fox. The Bra Book will be for available for purchase in Wal-Mart,
Nordstrom, Fredrick’s of Hollywood, Target and a countless number of other
stores across the country. I’ve also written three children’s books that I’ll
be releasing shortly after the autobiography is launched.
What is really interesting is that you are launching your own clothing
line . . . tell me something about that.
Yea, the BrimWEAR line brand of clothing is in the works. The brand will be
a unique blend that mixes urban and metal creating a fusion that is very rarely
seen. The original company that I signed with has not been moving at a pace
that I feel is appropriate, so I am temporarily putting them on the backburner
as opposed to the forefront. If they can not get on the ball, then I’ll quite
simply pull out of the deal and go with another one of the companies who were
very interested in moving forward with the BrimWEAR Brand. It’s a process.
Besides all of these activities, you are still wrestling and training
other wrestlers, putting out Brimstone trading cards, and making tons of
appearances – while managing to still have time for your family. What else do
you have up your sleeve that your fans should be on the lookout for?
It isn’t easy, but somehow I have managed to juggle a zillion things at
once. I make it a point to spend as much time with my family as humanly
possible, nothing is more important than them. I have a bunch of new products
that I sell exclusively at autograph signings like Brimstone buttons & magnets
as well as my new trading cards that I JUST dropped off to be printed. One
thing specific that I am looking forward to and cringing about at the same time
is the “Brimstone Roast” that is in the works for my 35th birthday this year.
I’ve already had a few “roaster” confirmations from some good friends including
Like Dat (VH1 Flavor of Love & Charm School), Claire Unabia (America’s Next Top
Model), Bumblefoot (Guns N’ Roses), Jose Hernandez Jr. (HBO’s Oz, Law & Order,
Fringe) and plenty more depending on schedules. Rest assured it will be an
amazing event that will be well attended. I’m full of ideas and surprises so
fans and haters alike can always check my Official Website for everything that
is going on with me. LoL, that’s all you are getting out of me for now. If I
gave it all up then there would be nothing to look forward to!
One thing I have noticed is that over the past year, you have expanded
your online presence. Your main website www.EntranceToHell.com has really been
overhauled from only a year ago, you have also put up Facebook and MySpace
pages. How important is it to have a web presence and how has it benefited
you? Do you plan to expand your virtual self in the future?
Quite simply, to be seen is to be heard. I’m still in the process of
updating my website with every bit of information possible that will give fans
the ability to bounce around and learn factual information about myself and my
career. It is always a case of the good the bad and the ugly considering the
internet is like ying and yang. It is the perfect avenue to gain a new audience
and entertain people from around the world, but on the flipside, you always have
your haters who are jealous of your success and want to tear you down any chance
they get… hell, look at Britney Spears! That is why it is important to have as
much factual information out there as possible so potential fans know what is
real and what isn’t.
OK, I have asked you enough questions about your march to control the
many outlets of entertainment media, let’s turn to some questions about
Brimstone and William Kucmierowski . . . .
I asked you during our last interview whether you are like the Brimstone and you
stated that you are actually the opposite. I was wondering, when you are
wrestling and making personal appearances as Brimstone, do you become that
character in your mind . . . and if so, to what extent?
Well, Brimstone is a brand. It’s also become who I am, my identity so to
speak. I’d say that 95% of the people who I know call or know me by Brimstone
or Brim. Outside of wrestling I only turn on the “persona” when it’s needed.
People love the character, but people are intrigued when they meet the real
person behind the character.
In some communications with you, you sometimes refer to yourself as Will
and sometimes as Brimstone. Although the Brimstone persona has been the driving
factor to rise you to some notoriety, as a budding actor, what type of
distinction do you, or are you, making between “Will” and “Brimstone” and are
you trying to make that distinction?
Yeah, sometimes I get confused on who I’m calling… eventually my damn
Blackberry will be surgically implanted to the side of my head I’m on it so damn
much! Most of the time the only people that I refer to myself under my shoot
name are the people that I am very close with or consider personal friends,
although for the most part they call me Brimstone simply because it is like a
nick-name. Everywhere I go and everything I do I am solely known as Brimstone…
it’s all about the branding and even in the films that I am involved with I am
credited under that name.
On your Wikipedia page, the first sentence makes a point of stating that
you are Jewish. Has your religion had any influence on you and your career, and
if so, to what extent?
Along the same lines, has being Jewish affected your wrestling career . . . has
anti-Semitism or prejudice ever been a factor for you within the wrestling
industry?
In everything we do in life there are always going to be people who feel
slighted and are haunted by their own shortcomings. These people are going to
hate you for any reason they can (it’s ok, I know why your mad). My Judaism
just happens to be another thing about me that some people attack. Again, I’m
proud of who I am, where I came from, and my heritage.
Since we are discussing the wrestling industry, if you could make one
change to the industry, what would it be and why?
The vulgarity is one major change I would make. I understand that sex sells
but it makes it very difficult for the people who grew up watching “wrestling
for the wrestling” to continue the tradition with their children. I also
believe that there is way too much time spent on meaningless talking and less
emphasis on telling the story in the ring as opposed to out of it.
At one time you were really into your music. Is that a thing of the
past or do you have any thoughts about rekindling that old spark (if you ever
have any extra time to do so)?
I still love music and every time I have the opportunity I try to get behind
the drums and play a little. Never say never, but for now as much as my first
love runs through my veins… I have a new focus. It just happens that I have a
good portion of friends that are very well-known musicians and the feeling I get
when I see them doing their thing is intense. Rod Morganstein (Winger, Dixie
Dregs) and I were having a conversation about this while out to dinner not too
long ago and he nonchalantly hinted that I should play again even if just for
the fun of doing it. The feeling in my gut became a lot deeper after hosting
the recent Drum Fight VII on Long Island where I actually did an impromptu set
of quads on the drum-kit while waiting for the next contestant to make their way
to the stage. I guess I can say that I would consider it if the right deal came
along. I’m actually trying to find the time to go and jam in the studio with
another friend Dan Nelson, the vocalist for Anthrax which should be a lot of
fun. LoL, I told him I was probably going to suck because it has been way too
long but he said it best, “It doesn’t matter how it sounds, as long as we are
having fun!” I could not agree more.
What does your family think about you being a wrestler?
My kids love it… they just hate the amount of time I have to be away from
home, but they understand that it’s just life in the world of entertainment in
general. I am traveling more and spending more time on the business end of
things nowadays as well as the performing side which takes serious toll. The
family supports me and my work ethic which I am extremely thankful for. I’d be
lying if I said that they are a bit happier that I am spending less time in the
ring considering that there is less of a chance that I’ll get hurt! I can
honestly say that I believe my family is as proud of me as I am of them.
Let’s play a word association game. I am going to list a few words, and
for each, let me know the first thing that comes to your mind:
Paper - Contract
Clouds - Heaven
Leather - Renaissance
Butterfly - Nature
Undertaker - Icon
Box – Squared Circle
Breasts – Chicken or Human?
Guitar – Guitar Hero
Book – Tommy Lee’s Autobiography
Once again, thank you very much for answering these questions.
|
