Recently, I had a chance to hang out and record with one of my favorite pop icons, Fred Schneider lll of the B52's. Though I had met Fred early in my career at the epicenter of the Punk Rock explosion, Max's Kansas City, when he and the girls were there, I had never really had a chance to sit down and break bread with him as it were. I always thought him a madcap kind of fellow, a real personality and I imagined he would be great fun to go out with. I'm happy to say that all my expectations of Fred proved to be correct. Our recording session and subsequent video shoot were oh so much fun! I told GInger Coyote the video shoot was like an episode of I Love Lucy. Therefore, I would refer to my project with Fred, lovingly and evermore, as "Fred and Ethel." Despite his busy schedule (Fred is currently on tour with the B52's), Fred agreed to speak with me for Punk Globe's "All Star August Issue." Here are the results of that interview:

Give us a snapshot of your childhood in Newark, NJ. What are some of the forces and influences that acted upon you to shape the person you've become?

I Lived in Belleville New Jersey until I was six and then moved to the Jersey Shore. I actually liked grammar school, grades one to eight. I especially liked the surreal and silly live TV shows of the time...ESP and the Soupy Sales Show and Sci Fi movies.

Tell us about your love of music, about the first tracks that really moved you. What was the soundtrack of your early life?

I really woke up musically to the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. Then I became a Motown and Soul nut.

Really? What are some of your favorite Motown and Soul songs?

There are hundreds!

Are you a born performer? Did you always dream of the bright lights? How do you feel when you're on stage and the audience is going crazy?

I never thought I'd be doing this. I never sang or acted. I'm actually very blase!

Now, about the The B52s. How did the band come together?

THAT'S ANCIENT HISTORY!

Ok, then tell us about the Superions.

It's a side project. We have two CD's and about ten Youtube videos.

Describe your stage persona. How did you evolve your image?

I try to be as entertaining as possible. I hate trite and typical stage patter and I like to make the band laugh.I TRY TO BE AS ENTERTAINING AS POSSIBLE.

Rumor has it that you have an enormous vinyl collection. What's in your collection? What's the allure of rare music?

I've been collecting since I was fourteen. I own 1000's of LPs and 45's....every kind of music except today's Pop, Rap, and R&B.

Who or what inspired you to make music? Which rock stars have made the biggest impact on your psyche?

It all came about unexpectedly. I'm more a writer than singer; I'm influenced by Dada and Surrealism.

What exactly is the Love Shack and how do we find it?

It's the fun, wild club you go to where everyone except haters and narrow minded people go to party.

What can we expect from Fred Schneider in the coming months?

I have two songs written for Elvira, Southern Culture on the Skids, and an album with the Superions.

Describe yourself in three words

WHAT A NUT!

What's your message to the planet?

SHARE IT SAFELY WITH EVERYONE AND EVERY CREATURE. LEAVE AS SMALL OF A FOOTPRINT AS POSSIBLE. AND DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING THE REPUBLICANS AND RIGHT-WINGERS IN THE US SAY. THEY ARE TRULY EVIL AND STUPID PEOPLE.

Any links you'd like to share..?

CHECK OUT MY FACEBOOK, THE SUPERIONS FACEBOOK, B'S FACEBOOK, AND OUR YOUTUBE VIDEOS

Punk Globe would like to thank both Donna Destri and Fred Schneider for the fantastic and fun interview..