roadcrewlive

Issue #3 is the personable God of all light shows......Cosmo!!!

Cosmo in Russia...in Russian!!

RCL-Q- Have you always been a lighting genius, or did you start off in the business doing a different gig?

1. Funny enough, like most crew out on the road, I am a frustrated musician. I used to play guitar in garage bands during High School and then went to New York in 1978 and started working for bands as a tech. My first REAL gig was as a drum tech for a band called "Falcon Eddy," which at the time was a well known band playing the New York City circuit. After a few years as a drum, guitar and keyboard tech, I came back to Florida and did work as a sound engineer and then as a stagehand for local concerts, and shortly after that, I was on the road as a lighting crew guy. After a couple of years I was running lights for bands, which I have been fortunate enough to continue to do ever since. Not too many people know this, but the first HEADLINE band I ever ran lights for was the Rolling Stones. Nice first gig, huh?

RCL-Q- Is it true one of your nick-names is fingers because of a certain design you came up with using moving trusses? If so...explain how you came across that idea?

2. I have always been fond of moving trusses, and the easiest way to move them is in finger shapes. However, the biggest reason I like finger designs is that since I have had to work with smaller budgets, the way I learned to make a small show look bigger is with "forced perspective," and using finger trusses gives me the ability to do that.

RCL-Q- I notice you are fond of the same ole lighting board over the years. What board is it and why do you prefer it?

3. I have used LSD's Icon console for about 10 years now. It is a moving light console, but when they designed it, they kept in mind the rock and roll LD. I have never been a big fan of moving lights, I mean, I like a few for accent, but nothing beats a enormous Par can rig, you just can't substitute that 1000 watt punch! And I do so many hard/heavy rock bands, that kind of rig is a must. I used to use conventional lighting desks, such as the Avo or the Celco, but I finally decided to make the transition to the Icon console because it was so like what I was used to- it gave me and still gives me to this day the ability to rock!

RCL-Q- What is the most elaborate show you have designed, programmed and ran the rig live?

4.Wow, tough question. I consider ALL my shows elaborate. I think, however, that Motley Crue in '98 was a good one, as I was limited on budget, truck space and venue size, and here I was faced with designing a show for a band that spent most of their touring life in large arenas with enormous lighting rigs and I had to follow that up in theaters. I came up with a design that looked HUGE, but fit into theaters and 1 truck, and came in close to the budget.

RCL-Q- You are one of the most road worthy touring Mofo's I know. Do you feel more at home on the road than you do at home at this point?

5. That's another tough one to answer. I'd have to say both. As the adage goes, "Home is where I hang my hat," I am home anywhere. I mean, when I am at home in Florida, I can't imagine leaving, but it's funny, as quickly as during the trip to the airport, I get into that "road-mode" and have no problem with leaving. I guess I have been doing it for so long, and it is so ingrained on my soul, that it is indeed my life.

RCL-Q- You have a Website "Cosmo.com". Really, it is a cool guide for good eats and night life, etc to visit worldwide. What part of the world do you find the food is the best with the best variety?

6. America, simply put, as the United States is such a melting pot of so many cultures. You can find more types of cuisines in more cities than ANY other place in the world.

Cosmo & Caviar

RCL-Q-You were just on tour with the "American Idols" How was that, being your main gigs seem to be AC/DC and Scorpions? A little light for you, wasn't it?

7. Well, it was definitely different, that's for sure. It was kind of cool as I was totally in control of the lighting show- in other words, there was nobody putting in any input, as the stars of the show were all kids, brand new and the last thing they were thinking about was lights, so I really enjoyed that aspect of it. The other cool thing was the lack of egos. I am not saying that in a mean way, but successful bands have a certain "ego" that you have to deal with to a degree, and with these kids, while the egos started growing during the tour, I didn't have to think about it, not that I didn't treat each an every one of them with respect. As far as the musical differences, yeah, that was different. On the positive side, however, it really gave me a chance to program some "pretty" looks, I mean, come on, there is nothing pretty about AC/DC!

RCL-Q- How long have you worked for AC/DC & how cool must that be? I guess you can't say too much about the design of the new lighting rig for DC. Tell us what you can about it without losing your gig.

8. Cool is right. I first started working with AC/DC in 1990, 14 years ago. They are just the best to work for, and I have been a fan of their music all of my adult life. But the best thing is the show- they are so into putting on a show, that almost ANYTHING goes when they design the stage. Big, outlandish, mind bending- I have always liked larger than life items, such as battleships, cargo aircraft; things that seem SO huge to be inconceivable, and AC/DC has this same mentality. The look on the audiences' faces when they see the show- it is what makes my job great.

RCL-Q- When you were out with Scorpions last year, you toured in some markets even you have never been. Where did you go and was there toilet paper?

9. I have traveled to more places far and wide with the Scorpions than every other band I have ever worked with. I have had an incredible journey with them and have a lifetime of geographical and cultural education thanks to them! In the autumn of 2002, we toured the old Soviet Union for about 2 months. It was an incredible tour, let me tell you. I could go on and on, but if you want to find out about the toilet paper, check out my Road Diary from that tour- it makes for an interesting read. http://www.cosmo.com/russiadiary/russiandiary.html

"Cosmo Show 2003"

RCL-Q- You have a new home in Munich and still have a home in the States as well. How is that working out?

10. Well, I have a small house in Florida, which is my main home. I have lived there since 1989, and have thought about moving to a larger house many times, but actually, it is perfect and I love it there. So this has given me the ability to have other "homes." I have always wanted to live in other places, not permanently, but just to get a flavor of the city- the culture, the environment, the people. I have a small apartment in Munich that I share with a friend, and now I have a small place in Odessa, Ukraine, as I am dating a girl who lives there. The world is a fantastic place, so much to see and do and experience. I would much rather own a smaller home and travel around, experiencing life in other places, then just have a big, expensive house.

RCL-Q- What are your plans tour wise for 2004?

11. Nothing yet. I am looking, but also enjoying my time off. I am actually writing this while I am in the Ukraine with my girlfriend. I am spending the holidays over here with her. Did you know that the Russians celebrate Christmas on New Year's? That they have New Year's trees and give New Year's presents and New Year's cards? Because they celebrate our "Christmas style" on New Year's , Christmas is a religious holiday, spent with family on January 8th. Talk about a different culture- THAT is why I like to travel so much!

RCL-Q- Are there any new bands that you have seen that we should know about?

12. Some little band out of Toronto called Automan.ca" They ROCK!

RCL-Q- This is your chance to plug any Websites or companies or tours you are involved with. RCL would like to Thank You from the bottom of our tour bus ridden ass's for taking the time to do these questions. You are a true star of lighting and touring, and an all around class dude.

13. When I am not on the road, I spend a great deal of time working on my Websites. Cosmo.com (http://www.cosmo.com) is a road guide, a band guide, a city guide, it has an email service, news, travel tips, a world restaurant guide and so much other information, I have impressed myself with how useful it is. I also have another Website, fairly new, called CosmoKazi!. you can find that at http://www.cosmokazi.com. It is a search engine, but it searches all the OTHER search engines to come up with the best results, I think. I love running lights for rock & roll bands, but ever since I have discovered the Web, I love it. It is great to be able to get to literally MILLIONS of people around the world.

Pics courtesy of www.cosmo.com

"RCL STAFF" Editor & Chief- Darrell DWaRf Millar....Web Design- Unkledunk Multi-Media...Field Team- Rock Show Personal Inc...Host- Darrell Millar's Time Capsule 2002-2004..This site is non-profit and paid for by DMTC.