A Conversation with Casey Patrick Tebo – HuffPost 7.9.13
Mike Ragogna: Casey, what gave you the idea to document Aerosmith’s Japanese concerts and trip?
Casey Patrick Tebo: Weeks before, we were in South America and the band was playing amazing. This was right after all the American Idol rumors and fighting and whatnot…. Steven wiped out in the bathroom in Paraguay and the tour was going to be canceled. But the next day, he did that show and it was the greatest show I had ever seen. He was bloody, bruised and even missing a tooth, so I knew something was in the air with this band and I just thought I had to capture it. A few days before we left for Japan, we got calls telling us we were not going, they were scared of the radiation. But the band, at the end of the day, decided to go for the fans, and I just realized that I could not go there without capturing everything.
MR: Were you concerned about the radiation?
CPT: Absolutely, though people are also scared of unprotected sex, but they still do it. Without sounding crass, I guess what I mean is you just say f**k it and do it, then you wake up the next day, and wonder, “Jesus am I going to regret this in 10 to 15 years?”
MR: What was it like interacting with the Japanese people knowing the challenge they had just been through?
CPT: If you know anything about American history, you’re talking about a culture that pretty much would do anything asked of them regardless of the consequences during World War II. They are proud, stoic, loyal, and resilient. Regardless of what they had just gone through, they were extending their hands to see if they could help US…the band and crew I mean.
MR: Do you feel that this experience has changed your life? The band’s?
CPT: Unrelated to the band or the people of Japan, yes. Without sounding egotistical, it’s changed my life as a filmmaker because one thing I’ve learned trying to make movies is people like to talk, talk, talk, talk. There’s lots of “I’m going to do this,” “I’m going to do that,” in this business. For me to take a chance just to shoot all the stuff and put a movie together in the hopes the band would like it and maybe put it out, that has changed my life for sure. Instead of relying on other people, sometimes, you just have to do everything on your own without asking questions. I did a lot of jobs in the past with production, TV commercials and whatnot and every time there were problems, I felt like, “Maybe it was me?” Finishing this film on my own solidified the answer, being that was not the case.
Related to the band? Sure, it shows that people outside the US–more specifically Japan, and South America–people there really care about their rock ‘n’ roll. Yeah, young kids consider guys like Steven and Joe absolute gods. We’re talking about thousands of kids chasing them down the street. In the US, you have some people that want their autograph but most people act like they don’t give a s**t. That shows you how horrible the attitude in America is towards great rock music.
MR: Did the gravity of the situation affect Aerosmith’s performances, like were they even more committed to doing their best shows, etc.?
CPT: Absolutely. I think one of the things that stood out to me was it seems like everybody was getting along at these shows. They all just put their bulls**t aside because they knew that there was something bigger going on here.
MR: Did you ever think, in your lifetime, you would have intentionally put yourself in harm’s way to help out a culture?
CPT: Before I had kids, maybe. But since I become a father, it definitely made it more difficult to step foot there. The weird thing is there were some guys on the crew bitching and complaining the whole time. They were wearing chemical masks, and radiation proof jackets. I mean, look, I get it, you’re looking out for your safety. But it’s a little bit insulting to walk around Japan like that, don’t you think? Not to mention the rest of the crew, who are a bunch of road-tested guys, think of the other guys as complete pussies.
MR: What advice do you have for new artists?
CPT: This seems like it may be a question suited for Steven and Joe. But if you’re guessing my opinion, here goes. Stop worrying about Facebook and Twitter, and just try to write good songs.
Transcribed by Galen Hawthorne