Monster Questions 2

Question : Is that Yellow paint, and is it dangerous?

Answer : The Yellow coloring is theatrical greasepaint. It is very similar to regular "clown paint" and exactly the same as the "Blue Man Group" wears. It is make-up that has been used in the entertainment industry for 50 years or more and is very common in show business. Most clowns use this type of make-up with a powder coating that sets the make-up and makes it less likely to smear or get onto others. The Monster "bright yellow" color comes from the fresh "grease look" and does not have powder. It is very easy to smear and should not be touched. A little more trouble but much more brilliant and striking to look at. The danger only comes when the Monster is on his Harley traveling at high speeds or when he's flirting with one of his hundreds of women.

Question : How long does it take to get the costume and make-up on?

Answer : It takes around an hour to completely dress and apply make-up to the Monster. It is a bit of a chore and the Monster needs help from one assistant to apply make-up and get the costume on. Simple tasks like tying your shoes, snapping the belt, and applying make-up touch-ups are a huge chore when you have the shoulder pads, cuffs, arm bands, and leg irons on.

Question : How long does it take to remove the costume and make-up?

Answer : It takes a little longer to remove the make-up and costume than it does to get dressed. The average time to get everything off and into civilian jeans and t-shirt is about 90 minutes. The hard part is make-up removal.

Question : Do you take off the make-up everyday and can you sleep in the make-up?

Answer : The Monster removes the make-up each and every day and sometimes two times a day. The thick grease paint makes it impossible to lay down or rest your head without making a huge mess. It is just easier to remove it than to clean up the mess that comes with a sleepy headed monster with make-up. On days where the Monster works day time shifts and again evening shifts, he routinely removes the make-up, takes a quick shower, lays down for 30 minutes and then starts the process again. The close-ness and lack of breathing, that comes with the make-up makes a short break without gear or paint very rewarding. The cool shower, a quick bowl of Cherrios and 30 minutes on the Monster bed renews the Monster to get at it again for another 4 hour shift. The make-up also becomes a bit contaminated with sweat and critters. Bugs love the yellow and usually swim around a bit before they die a slow death in the grease. After a few hours, the make-up also begins to look a little rough. The monster likes to look sharp and insists on new make-up and duds every few hours.

Question : Does the Monster wear the same costume every day?

Answer : The Monster has several complete costumes available for his use. These costumes are identical and make it possible for the Monster to wear fresh duds and be spring fresh each and every time out. He also has duplicates in case something is lost in transport. Even the boots, and shoulder pads have back-ups available for a clean fresh outfit and guarantee that the Monster will go on with the show even when the airlines loose a suitcase.

Question : Who designed the Motorcycle Monster costume?

Answer : The Monster built the outfit himself over a 5 week period doing trial and error in his shop with the aid of a drill, some wrenches, boxes of used Motorcycle parts and several bottles of Barcardi Rum. He made over 100 trips to the local hardware store and a few less to the package store, while getting the look just right.

Question : Does the turn signal light up?

Answer : Yes it is a functioning turn signal off of a Suzuki training bike currently in use at the MRA training school in Lakeland, Florida. It will light when the Monster hooks up a 12 volt battery, and it will flash when an attractive biker type girl approaches. The key to successful operation is what we like to call "A twelve volt and Monster Wood". Frankly, the added weight of a battery is just a little too much and is seldom used.

Question : How much does the costume weigh?

Answer : The total costume weighs somewhere around 70 pounds total. The shoulder pads and hardware weigh somewhere around 35 to 38 pounds. The pants, including chains and hardware around 11 pounds and the ammo belt around 17 pounds. Boots are around 8 pounds. Frankly, it's pretty heavy to carry for a 7 or 8 hour day. The Monster stays pretty fit doing this act.

Question : Does the Make-up wash off with sweat?

Answer : No, for some reason, sweat travels right through the make-up and drips off of the Monster without removing any of the color. The Monster beads up with persperation, and then drips off moisture without color run. The make-up does sometime bubble up a bit depending upon the heat and humidity.

Question : How do you remove the make-up?

Answer : Several methods have been used by the Motorcycle Monster to remove the make-up. The first good way was to use Ponds Cold Cream, like momma used to use to get off her make-up. With several coats of the cold cream and a few boxes of tissues, the grease will slowly come off. The problems is the tissues will make the skin raw and remove the top layer of skin and the Monster will wear a little thin on a several day gig. The best way is to use huggies baby wipes (natural with no alcohol). With a full box, you can get much of the yellow off. Then with a little shampoo and a 30 min shower with several wash cycles most of the yellow is gone. Another great way to remove it is with Albolene make-up remover. Good friend and biker celebrity Michele Smith offered this bit of show biz advice to the Monster at a show a few weeks back and Michele's advise has worked out great and saved the Monster lots of pain and agony. Thanks Michele. Of course, yellow make-up may show up most anytime with the Monster. This Yellow stuff is the gift that keeps on giving. Two weeks later the Monster will find some yellow in his ear that he missed. The other day one of his kids said, hey dad, your eyebrows are yellow. Oh well.

Question : Are children afraid of the Monster?

Answer : This is a bit of a mixed bag. Many children, probably 60% have no fear at all of the Monster. Many run for a "hug and a high five". However, some of the younger ones, maybe under 6 or 7 are terrified. With these, the Monster takes a few minutes to introduce himself and approach slowly, offering a sticker or photo as a peace offering. Sometimes an ungloved hand and a gentle handshake gives them reassurance. We really love the kids and try our best to make the encounter fun and pleasant for the youngsters. For many of the older ones, the Monster offers some good advice like, "do your homework, brush your teeth, or stay in school" to pass on a good message. Usually these fun "orders of encouragement" make the kids smile and the parents nod with approval. You are pretty safe telling a 12 year old to "clean up that bedroom". The folks get a laugh and the kids wonder how the Monster knew about that messy bedroom.

Question : Is the Mustach real?

Answer : Yes, the mustach is real and belongs to the man behind the Monster. Many times folks do not believe the yes, ask to pull on the fu man chu. Only attractive women are allow to give it a test pull. The stash is however covered with black make-up because the Monster is a little pre-maturely gray and the gray doesn't look as "biker badass" as the black. It is also the hardest element of the make-up to remove. It takes about 10 washes with ponds, baby wipes, albolene, and shampoo to get the stash back to the original color of gray. Sometimes the Monster dyes the stash black (just for men) for longer shows of a few days. Either way, the make-up, black and yellow is a lot of work to achieve that pretty yellow face.

Question : How tall are you?

Answer : The Monster is 6'4" and weighs around 260 in his socks but with the added help of his "high heels" and costume, the Monster comes in around 6'7" and 330lbs. He always says, "I'm really very small and I'm cheating to get to 6'7".