6 minute read
You’ve Got The Look
Sari: So, what’s your favorite genre to get into and why? Sci-fi? Drama? Comedy?
Ed Quinn: I honestly don’t care. I just want it to be fun. I’ve been really fortunate to work in lots of different genres. If I had to pick one, I’d say sitcoms. I love the pressure of the live audience.
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Sari: Tyler Perry had a brilliant idea, the way he picked up production during the pandemic. What was it like being a part of that?
Ed Quinn: Tyler Perry is a visionary. And it doesn’t matter what project he’s focusing on, what endeavor he’s tackling, or what the world throws at him. He transcends. The idea of getting 366 cast and crew members into a bubble during a global pandemic and safely shooting not one but two seasons of a show sounds like a movie. And it was. That’s what it’s like working with Tyler. Movie magic. I’ll be forever proud of being a small part of that accomplishment.
Sari: What can you share about working on “The Oval?” What have these relationships meant to you?
Ed Quinn: The best part about this show, for me, is watching the fans watch the show. On show nights, I just watch the #TheOvalOnBET hashtag on Twitter and laugh non-stop. The show is bananas, the fans LOVE it, and their reactions are truly priceless. Every show ends, but when “The Oval” ends, I will mourn the Twitter feed the most.
Sari: Season 3 is airing right now. What can you tell us about the direction of your character?
Ed Quinn: I can tell you, Hunter goes dark. The pressure of the Office, Victoria’s parent’s ambition, and his damaged children become too much. I was frightened to read Season 4.
Sari: I’ve had the privilege of interviewing Norman Lear a couple of times. I have to ask you about working on “One Day at a Time.” How cool was it to be part of a show’s revival as epic as this one? What was your favorite part about that?
Ed Quinn: I’m a huge fan of old Hollywood. Of “Show Business” in a nostalgic sense. So to work with Norman Lear, after growing up watching all his groundbreaking shows, was truly special. But it was also just an amazing experience. The show was so good, it had so much heart, but it had to fight hard for its survival. The television landscape is a harsh one, and the show never caught a break. But the fans, and everyone who
worked on it, know it was magical. Those episodes will stand the test of time - just like all of Norman’s shows.
Sari: Let’s talk music now. You are a hard rock guy, which I love. Tell me about your love for music and how that developed? How do you balance music and acting?
Ed Quinn: I was lucky. Growing up in The Berkeley Hills, everyone I knew played an instrument. It was like a part of the culture of being a punk kid in Berkeley. You had a skateboard, a BMX bike, and you had to be able to play guitar, bass, or drums. And it was the early ‘80s, so it was all about rock ‘n’ roll. It’s not really a balance with my acting career; it’s more of a complement. My job is acting, that’s my career, but the Berkeley kid with a case of arrested development loves making some noise.
Sari: It’s so cool that you’ve studied with Joe Satriani. What were there three most important things he taught you?
Ed Quinn: No. 1- Talent is not enough. You also need tenacity and timing. Everyone studying with Joe knew he was as good as, if not better than, our heroes. And I’m talking to Eddie Van Halen and Randy Rhoads. He had his band The Squares but would tour as a hired gun to pay bills. He never stopped hustling.
No. 2 - Stay Humble. Joe taught a ton of legends [Kirk Hammett, Alex Skolnick], but he also taught a lot of snot-nosed kids - like my friends and me. He was very invested. He held us to the same standards he held himself.
No. 3 - The entertainment business, performing arts and music, is tough. It isn’t fair. So many brilliant artists you meet along the way will never make it. So relish any and every opportunity you get.
Sari: Are there any other rock idols you’ve gotten to jam with that had you starstruck?
Ed Quinn: Okay, I’m not going to drop too many names here, BUT, the late great Paul Allen [co-founder of Microsoft] was a huge “Eureka” fan. So, I got invited, several times, up to his legendary house in the Hollywood Hills. The main house was this massive home, and then you took a gondola down to his whole other home that was basically just for parties. It had this giant stage all set up for live performances. Paul LOVED music. He had this great band, The Underthinkers. And he loved to bring up all his guests up to jam. It was nuts. And the Who’s-Who of the music industry would show up. The parties always seem to start late, and then these endless jam sessions would go into the wee hours. I’m talking Mick Jagger, Axl Rose, Courtney Love - you name them, and they were probably there. I don’t have so much as a picture from those nights, but I’ll never forget them.
Sari: Tell me what we can expect from the new music you’re recording with your hard rock band, SUPER EQ?
Ed Quinn: Well, for starters, it’s now called “SuperEQ and the Swamp Metal All-Stars.” Which is ridiculous and makes no sense but makes me laugh. As I am doing this interview, I am literally in the middle of recording a new album in my new studio. I’m actually really excited. It’s so hard as an unsigned artist to get anything right in the limited amount of time you get in the studio. I think in my whole life, I’ve maybe recorded three songs that came out “pretty good.” Hopefully, this will be different. For starters, this will be the first time I’m working with a producer that actually has the same musical taste that I do. And he’s my studio partner, Adam Cameron. Adam is a legend. I think the maturity my drummer James Austin and I have now, coupled with Adam’s expertise, could be very advantageous. New songs, old songs that were never done right, and a few funky covers. Can’t wait.
Sari: As a California native, who’s your favorite musical artist to come out of California?
Ed Quinn: There are so many, but I’m just going to say Eddie Van Halen for one reason - the joy. No one played with more joy than EVH. He will be missed.
What Are Five Fast Facts Fans Should Know About Ed Quinn (But Don’t?)
1. I drink like a pirate - rum or tequila.
2. I’ve been bitten by a rattlesnake and a tarantula, stung by a scorpion and a Portuguese Man O War, and stepped in a hive of Yellowjackets. I’d like that chapter of my life to be over.
3. My favorite candy is Jordan Almonds, and I don’t care what you say.
4. I’ve only owned four vehicles my whole life. All pick-up trucks.
5. I hate daylight saving time
Photographer: Eric Johnson
