Culture Brats

Michael Showalter, the writing and acting superforce behind such classics as The State, Stella, and Wet Hot American Summer, is back with a new web series, American Viral. It's a funny look at a father whose family has tasted some sweet web heat from a viral video of his son getting hit in the balls and his attempts at trying to make lightning strike twice. Here's the first episode, "Epic Balls:"

American Viral is part of Thundershorts, a new comedy video web channel which is also home to Gabe & Max Need Help, Don't Walk, Timeless Seasons, Augie, Alone, Loo Makes It Big, and Teachers Lounge, which stars Ted Alexandro and Hollis James with cameos from Dave Attell, Jim Gaffigan, Janeane Garofolo, and Jim Norton.

Today we're spending Seven Questions In Heaven with Hello Phones' DonnaFran:

Describe your music for our readers who may not be familiar with you.
Our music is definitely electronic with a punk No wave edge. We draw on a lot of out influences growing up in New York. We have been called synth-pop, even new wave, but we try to create our own sound and just make music that people will enjoy.

Who are your musical influences and idols?
There are many. Joe (guitar) is heavily into Jimi Hendrix and James Brown. I am into a lot of stuff. My biggest influence as a composer is definitely Ennio Morricone. The rest of the band grew up around a lot of hardcore punk and hip hop, and I was into more dance music. My dad was very into music and got me into a lot of cool stuff when I was young. Lots of Italo-Disco and pop stuff, but a little bit of everything.

What was the first album, cassette, or CD you bought with your own money?
I can't remember because there was always so much music at my house growing up. Something I liked would just find it's way from my fathers collection into my own hands. I still dig through his stuff from time to time and can find something new that I never heard before.