Press >> No Music 2002

Bocephus King tries to sit down wth us for an exclusive one on one interview

In the summer of 2000, Bocephus King was doing pretty good for himself. He had just released his third CD and was embarking on his second European tour. His last two releases were on dozens of top ten lists and his live shows had become legendary. Accompanied by the biggest buzz band to come along in years, The Rigalattos, he was the belle of the ball at every festival and music exibition from Amsterdamn to Austin, Texas. Bocephus had the entire package. His songwriting and musicianship blended beautifully with his showmanship and storytelling. At this point you're probably thinking this sounds a lot like the man's eulogy, but in the fall of 2002, Bocephus King is neither dead nor irrelevant. It's just that it's been over two years now that we've been anticipating his next album. Unlike some musicians, those two years weren't spent in musical exile. Along with producing albums for several artists, he played and wrote music steadily through label and management changes as well as band personnel. But now, he's finally back in the studio for his latest project, "All Children Believe in Heaven". Before you get the image of two angelic children pressing their hands together in prayer and looking to the sky, don't. That's not the mood or the message, if any, in this new CD. Think of it as the title to let's say, an old James Cagney or Bogart film. You could say the album pays a fare bit of homage to old Hollywood or at the very least gives it an unsterilized biopsy, lyrically, but also in atmosphere. This isn't Billy Joel singing "We didn't start the fire" or Madonna's celebrity rap in "Vogue". It's Hollywood dirtied up. If you're familiar with BK's work, you'll know that the character's in his songs are usually; lovelorn, jaded or felonious, and of course there's his collection of harlots, pill poppers and drunkards. So take from that what his interpretation of the golden age might be. The music isn't unrecognizable or completely removed from previous releases like "The Blue Sickness" and " A Small Good Thing". It has great elements from both, but it's definitely a huge leap forward, rather than a desperate look back. All and all, I would have to say this is Bocephus King's best album to date. Let's just hope we don't have to wait another two years for his follow up.

Bocephus King knows how to make an entrance, or so I've heard. It's around 12:40 on a miserable rainy Monday afternoon. I'm sitting at the Sheraton in downtown Seattle and Mr. King is yet to arrive. I have been patiently waiting for well over a half an hour for the enigmatic artist. I had a long thoughtful and complimentary interview planned out for him, too. You know, I was going to start with his curious name and work my way down to his success in Europe, so on and so forth. I mean, I know it's not pulitzer prize material, but I gotta family to feed. I need to pay bills just like any other a--hole. Do you even know what a pair of adidas shoes go for nowadays?! Now, try multiplying that by four! I haven't even gotten to the lamb's wool pullover , yet!

....Whoa. Deep breaths, Pete. Deep breaths.

I'm sorry. It's just that I've been sitting by myself eating complimentary bread sticks since twelve o'clock. The waiter won't even look over at me anymore and the manager has approached me twice about their six dollar minimum. I'm a human being! I have emotions. I'm not some sort of sensationalizing, rag magazine reporter that's had this coming for a long time!

1:15 pm - I've now been here for over an hour. I decided to screw the bread sticks about 20 minutes ago and order a nice bottle of wine. Alright, a cheap domestic, but it's still three times the price of the minimum, so that manager can kiss my ass! I can sit here all day now if I wanted!

Focus... Okay, okay, you're probably wondering why I'm still sitting here waiting for him. Well, I could romanticize you with stories of following Bocephus King's career since the beginning. Having every album, live bootleg, T-shirt, poster and article ever produced from the man. Maybe I would go as far as saying I think he is one of the greatest writers ever born to this earth. Years from now I'll look back on this day like many journalists before me getting exclusive interviews with the Beatles, Elvis Prestley or even Bob Dylan before they became the legends they are today. The truth though is I'm what you'd call a "Freelance journalist". I've never really been able to stick with one magazine for more than an article or two. My editor told me if I don't have the Bocephus King interview on his desk by noon tomorrow, I "can kiss what's left of my sorry ass and mediocre career goodbye"

EDITOR'S NOTE- It was actually more of a suggestion and was worded in a more sensitive and civil manner-

2:00 pm - Where the hell is that G-d--mn, Son of b-tch?!! Did you know I saw him play live once? Well I did. Between you and me, I think he's overrated and that hat's to small for his huge head! And the waitresses at the club were really ugly , too! You call that a drink special? $5.95 for high balls! $5.95! Do you think he ever gets mistaken for B.B. King? I mean, I could see how it could happen. A young tall, up and coming white singer-songwriter and a 75 year old large black blues singer both check into the same hotel. Sure they're culturally different, both from different decades and backgrounds. But, how's the Concierge supposed know the difference on paper when he sees that B.B.King in 204 wants more champagne and B.King's porno channels aren't coming in clear in 205?!!

EDITOR'S NOTE- At the risk of being libel, we cannot confirm and or deny Mr. King's penchants for pornography and or pornograghy by-products-

2:37 pm - Also, you know what? I don't think that's even his real name. No. I heard his name is really Jamie Cooper and he's from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan! Oh, sh-t! What are you talking about?! I paid my minimum! I PAID MY F--KING MINIMUM! What kind of Fascist elitist establishment are you running here?! I'M NOT RAISING MY VOICE!!! Let go of me!!..Let go! Well, due to the fact that I'm now sitting outside on the wet pavement after being told under no uncertain terms to "leave the premises", I'll have to re-schedule my exclusive interview with the obnoxious, arrogant, too big to show up for a simple Q&A session with this humble reporter, Bocephus King! I HATE YOU BOCEPHUS KING! I HATE YOU!

EDITOR'S NOTE -Bocephus King was actually scheduled to meet Peter at the Four Seasons Hotel in San Francisco. Our apologies to Mr. King for any confusion or inconvenience. Also, Peter Ritchie is no longer affiliated with this or any of our sister magazines or publications-