10 Questions with ... A.D.

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

Oh man! I have a career? I got a record deal when I was a kid singing in a silly rap metal band, whoops, then went to college, so much for the scholarship to Tufts. Sorry mom and dad! Did world tours and major label albums. We were signed and managed by the same people that looked after Korn, Limp Bizkit, Linkin Park, etc. Needless to say, we were the one band that DIDN"T happen but still it was good times. (No I'm NOT gonna say which band... we're on YouTube if you're that inquisitive).

After that ended, I moved to Houston (for the palm trees), but I needed a gig. Will Pendarvis (now my boss at Faction), a buddy of mine at KRock in NYC at the time suggested radio. He helped me fake up an aircheck that sounded like I had all his experience. In an incredibly charitable (some might say foolish) move, Don Jantzen and Vince Richards let me on the air at the Buzz. Jose Mangin, and Greg Steele did the same at Sirius. It was pretty unreal. I got hired part time at both stations on the same day. Then I just hustled and learned as much as I could 'till my current gigs opened up. I still pinch myself and feel incredibly INCREDIBLY fortunate.

1. How did you become interested in radio?

I've always loved radio. My uncle was a jock at WCMF in Rochester back in the day, and I was obsessed with it from the time he told me a story about chucking Journey out of the studio. When my band was on tour doing radio interviews, I would always ask to hang around the station after we were done, or I'd try to work up the nerve to ask if I could frontsell a song. I always found it fascinating and enthralling. Still do.

2. What was your favorite station to listen to when you were a kid?

I grew up mainly in London listening to Radio 1, but they had just one rock show a week, so I was really excited when I moved to New York with the band. Then it was K-Rock all the way. I loved listening to Stern, Pinfield, Whipping Boy, Booker, Cane, and Pendarvis as I vainly waited for our songs to get played. (I think we got about 5 spins.)

3. What's one thing that would surprise many people to learn about you?

I'm straight edge. For those unfamiliar with the old school punk rock vernacular it means I don't drink, smoke, take drugs, or believe in casual sex. It's not a religious thing though. I'm still a Godless heathen destined to burn.

4. What part of your job do you like best? Least?

What I like best is the music and the people. I'm EXTREMELY fortunate to work with good people. Everyone I work with at The Buzz and SiriusXM is super passionate about radio, winning and doing what we do. They set the bar high and I'm constantly learning from all of them. I was lucky enough to start out working for Don Jantzen, Vince Richards, and Greg Steele right out of the gate. They'd all kicked ass for years, so I just did EXACTLY what they told me to do... and things have worked out! I really don't have anything I dislike about it. There's that saying... find something you'd be willing to do for free, then figure out how to get paid for it. That's what radio is to me. It's SO much fun!

5. How would you describe your evening show on The Buzz?

In high school, my friends and I would hang out in homeroom, play music, talk about bands, things that we thought rocked, and make yo momma jokes. Very little has changed since the 9th grade. I have friends in Houston that knew me at school in England who will attest to this. Sounds cliché, but it's really all about the music and the listener.

6. What do you like best about your air shift?

I'm way overusing the word "passion" here, but Houston is a town that's very passionate about rock music. It's great to be able to do a show where you can be real and don't have to be gimmicky. You can talk passionately about what it is you think rocks ass, and people will passionately respond in kind.

7. Tell us about your role at Sirius XM and what you like most about it?

I'm on air on Alt Nation and Faction. You know, a lot of people harp on the differences between terrestrial and satellite radio, but from my perspective, as a host.... it's pretty similar. I still treat it like its TSL driven (even though its not) and we're going for the jugular, trying to beat the guy across the street. I try to do a show that's going to be compelling, forward moving and maybe make people late for work because they're sitting in their cars waiting for THAT song or THAT piece of information. Also, after the initial thrill of dropping F bombs wore off, I found it way more creatively satisfying to do that all with innuendo.

On Faction, it's a bit different. It's an action sports/lifestyle station that plays rock, metal, punk, and hip hop featuring Tony Hawk, Bam Margera, Kelly Slater, and Jason Ellis. I do news pieces on music, action sports, and celebrity skank. Again, what I like best about working there is the people I've gotten to work with. (Regan, Jordan, Pendarvis, and Tom Wilk ... you guys rule!) Also, it's awesome to be involved in action sports and all the different musical genres. I grew up obsessed with the Wu Tang Clan, riding motorcycles, skateboards, BMX bikes, and doing the Warped Tour, so those are my roots, yo!

8. Fill in the blank: I can't make it through the day without _________?

Coffee.

9. What would surprise people most about you?

I'm 6 ft. tall. 6 ft. 1 on a good day. It doesn't seem surprising, but when people meet me in person, they always expect me to be shorter.

10. If you decided to completely change careers today what would you do?

If there's one thing that I wish my job had that it doesn't it is contact with dogs. I LOVE dogs... If I was going to do something totally different, I have to say I'd want it to be something more involved with dogs. If you don't have a dog, foster one or adopt one. I don't care if you're Mother freakin' Theresa or Gandhi... a dog will make you a better person.

What are your hobbies?

I don't think I really have any? Admitting to graffiti writing publicly is probably a bad idea huh? I'm lucky enough to be professionally involved in most of the things I love (music, action sports, etc.) Oh, wait, thanks to my hippie parents, I was a tofu sprout eating vegan mother F*(&! @! for many years. To make up for lost time, I now enjoy as much rare, red, as close to mooing as possible meat as I can. Does barbecue count as a hobby?

Last non-industry job?

Waiter. I was just AWFUL at it.

First record ever purchased?

RUN DMC Raising Hell. It changed my life

First concert?

Apparently I saw David Bowie when I was two... I don't remember it though.

Favorite band of all-time?

Ack! I have too many favorites, but the one I've come back to my entire life over and over again is The Police, so I'll go with them.

A personal footnote from A.D.

I'd like to reiterate that I'm shocked that I get to do this at all. I'm beside myself to have gotten to the point where I get to answer 10 questions about my "career?" WTF! To the people that have helped, advised, given me a shot, and believed in me, Thank you so much again.

On March 11th I lost one of my best friends, and the world of radio lost a man who had done so much for so many. Rest in peace Ricky Leigh Mensh... You were a true friend and mentor... a man loved by all that knew you, a man with so much love to give, and until your very last day you were a man who did everything you could to help others. I will miss you SO much.