Jason Martinko Has Gone the Way of the Flesh
Interview by Rhonda Baughman
Combing the ‘net waves these days often leads to one of two elicitations from me: “Hey! That’s so cool! I wanna interview that guy!” or the more usual “Why doesn’t this guy just kill himself and do us all a big fuck’n’ favor?!?” More often than not, it is the latter, not the former I think of – however; Jason Martinko sprung up on my screen next to one of the kill yourself humanoids – thus marking an even more excitable response from me: “Hey, That’s so cool! Why don’t I already know that guy? I should interview him and see if he’s single!”
I jest. Well, sort of – I am happily entrenched in the catacombs of penile monogamy these days. I know, who would have thought – least of all - me. (My editor also says I have hit my em dash quota for the year … I think we know what category I out those snarky remarks in … hmmm?) But, I digress … I am here to discuss Jason Martinko. He’s fairly new, so don’t feel like a complete social reject if you’ve not yet heard of him, but with a brand new title out like Gone the Way of the Flesh, if you’re anything like me, I can guarantee you’ll be quick to flick your digits over the keypad to find out just who the fuck he is – and banging your head into the monitor, wondering why you didn’t think of a rad title like that yourself. Or, perhaps that’s just a ‘me’ thing.
Anyway, the following is a little Q&A with the meaty multi-talented Martinko – so even if I’m not seeking him for his meat, I am bloody well into his films and music. He falls right on the heels of my most recent interview and commentary: what the hell happened to the musical score – and pleas stop using these awful new radio-whore bands.
Rhonda: What sets Cut’N’Run Productions above the masses of indie film companies?
Jason: I would have to say that heart is what sets Cut'N'Run above the pack. Anyone who watches Gone the Way of Flesh and can't see the love and determination that went into making it, is missing the point. I'm very happy when people recognize the movie for what it is: A couple of guys with a rock'n'roll band that love B-exploitation movies and wanted to make one. So we did.
Rhonda: Tell me a little more …
Jason: Gone the Way of Flesh is Cut'N'Run Productions' first film. We are currently shooting the sequel. Cut'N'Run Productions, L.L.C. was formed in 2004 by Jordan McMillen. Jordan and I have a rockabilly band in Pittsburgh called The Jason Martinko Revue. We have been playing together since 1999 and have three albums. We are currently on Bonedog Records out of McKeesport, PA. I sing and play guitar, Jordan plays drums, Nick Scuglia plays bass and Steve Jacobs plays tenor sax. In 2003, Jordan won a camcorder in a contest and we began filming live footage of our concerts in sleazy dive bars and strip clubs. Having always loved B-movies, we decided to make our own slasher movie to promote our band, filled with all the things we love: nudity, violence, drugs, filth and rock'n'roll! We really learned what we were doing as we went along, constantly upgrading equipment, and by the time we finished the film in 2006, I believe Jordan and I became good filmmakers. The movie has a lot of faults, as Jordan and I explain in the behind-the-scenes documentary available on the DVD. We know some of the sound is out-of sync and the police station is someone's attic, but nothing was going to stop us from making this film. Jordan currently films and edits weddings, music videos, TV commercials and other events full-time.
Rhonda: This sounds like fun, actually – what a lot of films seem to be missing these days. Tell me about the music …
Jason: As far as the music in the film goes, we made the film to promote our band. We used a lot of live concert footage of our own original songs. Jordan composed and played the score on a keyboard. Our movie is often criticized for seeming like a music video at times, but we always tell everyone from the start, that is what it was meant to be.
Rhonda: I think David Fincher would be proud! Who else would you like to work with?
Jason: I'd like to work with Herschell Gordon Lewis or John Waters and Jordan wants to work with Ed O'Neill and Andrew Dice Clay, who I also adore. All that aside, as I said before, Gone the Way of Flesh was a couple of guys with a rock band that wanted to make a gory, dirty little movie. We had a camera, so we just made it. The film started gaining national attention after Troma signed it for distribution in 2006. Many celebrities saw it and supported it, which made a lot of people interested in it. Troma sat on it until 2008, so we cut the deal with them on good terms, and released it independently. You can buy it at www.cutnrunproductions.com.
Rhonda: What else do you have in store?
Jason: We are currently shooting the sequel, Gone the Way of Flesh II: Fresh Bloody Flesh, which already has guest appearances by Lloyd Kaufman and porn legends Ron Jeremy and Jamie Gillis. We hope to have it out sometime next year. We are also planning part 3, which will be the last GTWOF movie we make for a while. Our band continues to tour. I also have a book being published by McFarland and Co. called, Adult Films 1968-1988 which catalogs over 5000 films from the golden era of porn due out in 2010.
Rhonda: You guys are the epitome of what I say is missing in the entertainment industry today – thank you!
Jason: My pleasure.
Rhonda: Call me.
Jason: (Silence).
