MALIBU: THE INTERVIEW.
Posted on May 18, 2015 7 Comments
Just two weeks ago, we crowned Malibu of American Gladiators our Lost-Legend-Of-The-Month for May and as luck would have it, the feature made its way to the man himself. At this point TNUC realized this might be the only chance to reach out to Malibu for a possible interview. He agreed, but on the terms that this rare and intimate engagement must happen on the shores of First Point beach in Malibu, CA right when the sun was about to set.
So in a scramble, Uncle T packed the essentials – tanning oil, mineral water, an extra loin cloth and a large pizza – then headed up the Pacific Coast Highway on his red Yamaha. Thoughts raced through his head about everything he’s ever wanted to know about the mighty Bu’…How has it been living in the aftermath of that crushing blow during the human cannonball event?…What lead to him showing up for 2-seconds in the Michael Douglas thriller Falling Down wearing a pink speedo? (Does HE even know about this?)…What type of tanning oil did his lionsmane require?…What’s Malibu doing in 2015?
In a TNUC exclusive, we sit down with the former American Gladiator in attempt to tackle all the crucial questions. This rare, in-depth conversation was made possible by our friend and modern day neanderthal himself Big Mike, who originally passed our feature onto Malibu.
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Thanks so much for joining the Land of TNUC on the shores of this lonely, misbegotten beach for an interview. We’re so thrilled that you’re doing this. So how is everything? How’s life these days for Malibu aka Deron McBee?
MALIBU is currently in training for a BIG comeback. Unfortunately the BU broke his back and fractured his hip doing some radical stunts a couple years ago. Why am l talking in the 3rd person?… Im also involved in CHRISTIAN MINISTRY and have been for over 20 years. That’s my true source of power. For more info check out UNITED MARTIAL ARTS FOR CHRIST.
It’s time to deliver the heavy hitter that’s been on everyone’s mind since 1991. How did you get involved with American Gladiators?
I was riding a lifecycle and a friend next to me tells me to check out an add for this new series “American Gladiators”. I go for a tryout where l promptly smoked all my competition and the rest is history baby.
How did you come up with the idea of MALIBU and did he mirror your actual life at the time at all?
They were going to call me DOMINO, and since l didn’t want to sound like l was repping a pizza company l thought MALIBU was way cooler. Yes l love the beach but honestly I’ve never surfed in my life…sorry (laughs).
You were sent violently flying off the human cannonball which we know left you with serious injuries that put you out for a while. What exactly happened and how long were you out?
In truth l had a serious concussion and some plastic surgery to my forehead. I returned the next day against Dr’s orders who said l could be really in trouble if l sustained another concussion. But nothing stops the BU’.
Would it be true to say you competed in a total of 12 competitions in American Gladiators?
I shot the first season so 12 might be accurate.
We know after your injuries you returned for the American Gladiators “LIVE TOUR”. Any fond memories of these events?
Yes…our commode broke on the tour bus the 2nd week on the road and all of our well…USE YOUR IMAGINATION…poured all over our luggage. Not exactly a fond memory. That memory actually STUNK!!!
We’re big fans of your leading role film THE KILLING ZONE. I’ve turned many people onto it. Were scenes like tipping your sunglasses in the bar improvised on set? [see here]
I had a ball on that set. That silly B-film made a KILLING in sales. And yes the signature sunglasses tip was all mine.
I remember being so depressed when finding out that a MALIBU action figure wasn’t included in the American Gladiators toy line. Was there ever talk of doing this?
Believe it or not there was talk of a MALIBU Halloween costume. How SWEET would that have been?
You had a cameo in Married With Children playing a stripper. Any fun memories from the set?
I loved the job on MWC. It was my very first acting job and l was so nervous l could hardly think straight. The cast was wonderful.
What was your favorite music back during this era?
70s and 80s Rock baby.
What kind of hair products did you use to create that legendary lionsmane?
I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you…(laughs).
Malibu relaxing at home.
Big Mike AKA Big Ballermike would like to know if you’d be interested in starring in his music video someday?
l would be honored beyond words man.
Please give us a little info about the American Gladiators dinner theater show that happened in Florida!
Picture MEDIEVAL TIMES only with Gladiator games.
What are you working on now?
Right now I’m working on selling a couple scripts and setting up a gallery showing for my art and of course my ministry work. Just getting the BOD back in shape is tough due to all the ‘war wounds’ I’ve had over the past 25 years. Im excited to see what God has in store for me. Oh I also plan on writing a book.
Are you aware that this tattoo exists?
Are you kidding me?…That tattoo ROCKS…Any idea who it belongs to?
Not a clue! Last question, did you ever consider joining the WWF (now WWE)? You would have made a fantastic wrestling character. You still would right now.
I got recruited in 1992 but started booking movies. Plus they travel 3 weeks every month. Real hard on the family.
Wow, that fascinates me. Did you have a character idea at all?
Yea and it got ripped off…l wanted come riding down the ramp on a SWEET chopper and be a biker version of MALIBU. But WWE used my gimmick for the UNDERTAKER…that’s when he went biker for a bit.
What a shame. As a big wrestling fan and Undertaker fan, that was a complete misdirection for his character to take. Someone else fitting the role would have been so much better.
Thank you Deron/Malibu! You’re the coolest man alive. Let’s grab a drink and some pizza the next time you’re free in LA. God bless.
GOD bless you too my man.
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MAY’S LOST LEGEND OF THE MONTH: MALIBU.
Posted on May 5, 2015 3 Comments
If you’re a frequent wanderer around the TNUC lair, you pretty much know all there is to know about Malibu from the TV show American Gladiators. Whether it’s his workout schedule, love interests, chosen suntan lotion or favorite ice cream flavor, the TNUC ‘Intro to Malibu 101’ course has been ongoing and free of charge.
There’s no question to why this guy is at the top of the TNUC food chain. He has all the fitting attributes and qualities we strive for in life. The exaggerated gum chewing…the flawless blonde locks of freedom that make up his mane. We’ll probably never stop singing his praises simply because there will never be anyone quite like this carefree spirit animal. If you haven’t witnessed his entire legacy from American Gladiators or just need a refresher, play the video below. Believe me, watching this guy in action will leave you feeling like those people who talk about what it’s like being in the presence of the Dalai Lama.
Many people point to Malibu as being the worst ‘American Gladiator’ to ever compete on the show, but I ask those naysayers to take long hard look at this clip to witness the ATTITUDE of this man. Fact of the matter is, he could care less about his so-called “loss”. While people laughed as he was pummeled into oblivion during the human cannonball, he was already daydreaming about lounging at the beach on his Orange Julius towel next to your sister, two seconds from persuading her into coming with him to an Ugly Kid Joe concert that night.
Sadly this “child of mother nature” was only featured on (2) episodes of American Gladiators, but though his time was brief, he left a presence that would echo throughout eternity. After the show The Big Bu’ vanished for a little while, leaving die-hard loyal disciples like Uncle T wondering what happened and what could have been…
It’s for these reasons that Malibu has been championed as May’s Lost-Legend-Of-The-Month!
Now it may come as a shocker to learn that his actual birth name is Deron McBee, but to avoid confusion and bewilderment, he’ll be referred to as Malibu for the remainder of this article. After his television debut, Malibu didn’t sink into a period of steroid & cocaine abuse as readers might assume, nor did he enter into the soft-core porn world. Quite the opposite story…he ended up landing more television and film roles, many times embracing the “child of mother nature” frame of mind of his early days.
Our Lost Legend ended up appearing in over 30 features throughout his career – including Mortal Kombat: Annihilation, The Killing Zone, Baywatch Nights and Time Barbarians, the latter in which he plays a medieval warrior chasing a bad guy to modern day Los Angeles to avenge the death of his wife (PERFECT). See above photo.
If none of these cinematic juggernauts ring any bells, it’s OK because you’ve probably seen him and didn’t even realize it. We call these instances “MALIBU SIGHTINGS” and they started for Uncle T just a few years ago. Let us begin:
MALIBU SIGHTING #1: Falling Down (1993)
This initial sighting caught me completely off guard and sent my Chef Boyardee Dinosaurs pasta all over the sofa. I must have seen Falling Down 47 times and never noticed Malibu standing in a hot pink speedo smiling under the golden sun. This scene takes place when Michael Douglas goes haywire on the beach pier at the end of the film.
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MALIBU SIGHTING #2: Elvira Mistress of the Dark (1988)
Trust me, it’s him. I could spot that mane from a mile away. Plus, by this time my Malibu radar was at peak performance levels, keeping a close eye to find him in anything from Weekend at Bernies to Little House on the Prairie. His three second appearance in the Elvira motion picture arrives at the end of the movie immediately following her Vegas-style dance routine. Truly mind-boggling!
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MALIBU SIGHTING #3: Married With Children | Episode: Her Cups Runneth Over (1989)
In this episode of the classic sitcom, Malibu plays a “Policeman” aka a male exotic dancer, who strips down and dances around the Bundy’s living room in a blue speedo. Again he’s still very Malibu in this scene. After sweating it out for Peg and Marcie he hangs out with the lonely ladies and snacks on some popcorn. [Watch the full scene here!]
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If you believe you’ve spotted Malibu in something, whether it be in a movie or at your local zoo, snap a photo and send it to uncletnuc@gmail.com. We’ll start a photo album to chronicle these sightings on the TNUC facebook page.
After some extensive research, it appears that Malibu is still embracing the “twisted steel & sex appeal” lifestyle to this day. He occasionally lands tv/film roles while painting during his free time. Most importantly though, his lion’s mane is still fully intact and shows no signs of going anywhere. That thing could have an entire feature dedicated to it alone.
The Bu’ hanging on to a babe in front of some of his paintings.
[Lost-Legend-Of-The-Month is a heartwrenching chronicle of forgotten iconic warriors who were either wiped off the face of the planet for reasons unknown or simply never got the chance to “peak” during their short-lived careers. We cherish these individuals and devote an entire month to celebrate their impact on society. To see the rest of em’, go here.]
NIGHT RHYTHMS.
Posted on April 22, 2015 1 Comment
Returning from that infamous little corner of France is one of the Valerie crew’s heavy hitters, Maethelvin (don’t ask me about how to pronounce it) with a new release as part of the label’s ‘Composer Series’. Even though most of the songs have been kicking around since 2007, this marks the first official album from Maethelvin and TNUC is ever so pleased to blast this by his new poolside cabana.
Delicious night rhythms ‘Looking for Love and ‘Plan B’ bring me back to the days of discovering all these lush melodies back when Myspace was really booming with this type of music. Here were all these artists from foreign lands like France and Italy who were channeling the sights and sounds of 1980’s Miami and other steamy climates of America. When these artists emerged there was such a fresh, authentic feeling while listening and staring at their easy-on-the-eyes imagery which reflected so well with the music. They also didn’t need to pummel you in the face with cheap, photoshopped palm trees or “retro-neon-wave-vapor” junk. The mysteriousness and less-is-more approach gave the whole package a certain allure that had me very intrigued. It’s like a natural continuation of the music and soundtracks I loved so much growing up.
On ‘Plan B’, my eyes are immediately fixated on a pool lit up at night. As I recline on a nearby lawn chair in my giant elastic waisted white slacks and Palm Springs t-shirt, I can’t stop gazing at the cool mist trickling around on top of the water. Suddenly, a perfectly toned hardbody emerges from the water like some sort of mythical chlorine creature. She hands me an alligator briefcase, then puts a tiny key in my hand, winks and walks off. I open the briefcase and observe its contents: a gold watch, sunglasses, grey slacks and a glossy photo of Sonny Crockett playing football. I don’t know what it means, but I accept it.
Maethelvin – Composer Series 005
Limited Collectors CD – 100 copies [Order Here]
Get it on Bandcamp here
MOTLEY CRUISE TO NOWHERE.
Posted on April 15, 2015 4 Comments
Ahoy matey’s, disciples, spring breakers, seasoned sailors and couch potatoes! It’s time to climb aboard and join yer’ #1 Uncle (TNUC) as he says bon voyage to this barren land for a dastardly trip at sea involving no shortage of sunshine, alcohol, ‘high-tide’ bikini bottoms, underwater muff diving and “Krell”! (more on “Krell” later…).
From 1987 it’s the MOTLEY CRUISE TO NOWHERE!
Before you continue, watch the commercial:
First of all – have a go at that vessel of passengers that this ship promises…a few babes, a bloody butcher, some guy carrying a machine gun, some guy carrying a Rambo lunchbox, a pig, a clown, a donkey and last but not least: hair metal sleaze-brains Mötley Crüe!
Almost 30 years ago, long before rock band cruises were a thing, Mötley Crüe created an MTV contest for a few lucky winners to set sail with them to Bermuda. The five hour luxury boat cruise would not only sail through the actual Bermuda Triangle, but the vessel of vermins would get to party with the band, stay in a ritzy hotel, get chauffeured around in a limo and each get $1,000 in spending money. Also, keep in mind that 1987 was the Crüe’s primetime deadbeat era. The band were hot on the heels of their ‘Girls, Girls, Girls’ album and were at the peak of their drug-induced debauchery, so contest winners were essentially sharing the same living space with 4 of the most drugged up rock n’ roll degenerates walking the planet. For anyone who’s read all the stories like I have, it’s almost hard to wrap your head around the idea of these guys being able to board a boat and actually hold it together for an amount of time. But they did it…they really did it.
Also accompanying them on the ship were MTV’s staff, Vince Neil’s girlfriend Sharise (of Hollywood Tropicana fame) and the band’s security chief Fred Saunders. Again for anyone who’s savvy with their Mötley Crüe historical knowledge, the name Fred Saunders should be very familiar as he was the one who scored the band their “Krell” while on tour. “Krell” was their codename for cocaine, which got its name from the 1981 movie Heavy Metal. Anytime the band were out in public and needed a taste of booger sugar, saying the word “Krell” would alert ol’ Fred.
“The day started out perfect. Just like a Harley Davidson with a tank full of gas. The Crüe was off to cruise the Caribbean and of course by our side was a boatful of babes and even better – some dude to pick up the tab.”
– Vince Neil
Looking back at this naughty-nautical-adventure has me feeling naturally jealous, but I also can’t help to think about how innocent these times were. As wild and unpredictable as the voyage probably was, the intent was solely for a few lucky fans to have the time of their lives with their favorite band. This was 1987 and these types of events weren’t typical, so there was probably very little (if any) security. But was there actually a need for it? These were simpler times. Less synthetic drugs, no cell phones, no suicide bombers (at least not on a heavy metal boat). While the booze and illegal hijinks probably flowed like water, at least it wasn’t the prime intention of the trip. Very different from some of these all day “music” festivals where only 60% of the crowd know what artists are performing that day. The remainder purchased tickets at starting prices of $300 for other reasons, leaving the real, hungry fans at home.
Above, an article from Metal Edge magazine. CLICK TO ENLARGE. (thanks Sleaze Patrol Files)
APRIL’S LOST (AND FOUND) LEGEND OF THE MONTH: TIM CAPPELLO.
Posted on April 6, 2015 5 Comments
As we roam the planet, one must stop to ask a few crucial questions, like through the cold and through the heat, do you still believe? How about through the rain, through the tears, through the crowds and through the cheers…do you still believe?
As far as Uncle T is concerned, we never stopped “still believing” that our Lost-Legend-Of-The-Month for April, Tim Cappello, was still out there, still making some weekend carnival crowd go completely apeshit as he pelvic thrusts around with his saxophone and chains, lacquered chest-to-face in body oil. It felt like only yesterday that Cappello was galloping around on stage in Santa Carla with legions of fans banging their heads over burning barrels and fist-pumping into the night air.
Let’s get one thing straight. This lord of the boardwalk doesn’t just play the saxophone…he makes it ERUPT. Just listen to the initial sax squeal in “I Still Believe” between 0:07 – 0:13 in the song. Seriously, even though you’ve probably heard it 7,000 times, go listen to how it’s introduced in the track. It’s like some sexual restrained gorilla letting out his first roar after he’s been held in captivity, right before he gallops away to devour every lady gorilla in sight.
I may know little about the saxophone as an instrument, but I’m definitely aware of how it can be used as a sexual mating call thanks to a certain shirtless, lady destroyer who goes by the name Tim Cappello. Pretty much everything about the famous 2-minute scene in The Lost Boys has been well documented in the TNUC history books (see here). So as much as he’s held in high regard around these parts for his contributions to rip-roaring, unadulterated saxophone, we didn’t plan on including him in the Lost Legend residency. It was just two years ago that we spotlighted the top (3) saxual moments in Cappello’s career in a piece called “Insta-Sax”, which we felt encapsulated everything there was to say about the man.
Rabid Cappello disciples “still believing”.
This sad mentality was silenced once news broke that Cappello had been sighted at the “Mad Monster” horror convention in North Carolina just last week! The infamous beast of the boardwalk was back to sign autographs, sell a few merch items and perform his hit single in front of all the loyal fans that have pondered his whereabouts for so long.
Cappello teamed up with horror company London 1888 who released these limited chinese food boxed sets containing show flyers, maggots and a Tim Cappello cassette tape featuring a brand new recording of “I Still Believe”! Oh, and his very own line of body oil was available for purchase as well (yes, really).
Rest assured, Cappello confirmed that he hadn’t been homeless and living under the Santa Carla docks with a broken sax filled with barnacles. He hadn’t shriveled up over the years either. He was not only still looking buff, but in good spirits as he joked around with the guys at Dangerous Minds in an exclusive interview which every Cappello super-fan should read here. They discuss how he got involved with The Lost Boys, his drug addiction and what recording/touring with Tina Turner was like.
Massive thanks (and envy) to our east coast disciple Garrett who sent Uncle T a chinese food boxed set AND got to meet the man himself!
[Lost-Legend-Of-The-Month is a heartwrenching chronicle of forgotten iconic warriors who were either wiped off the face of the planet for reasons unknown or simply never got the chance to “peak” during their short-lived careers. We cherish these individuals and devote an entire month to celebrate their impact on society. To see the rest of em’, go here.]
LUCAS.
Posted on April 2, 2015 1 Comment
Before we delve into all the Spring Break mayhem this month, I wanted to post a track from Dave Grusin’s score to Lucas (1986) to represent the coming of springtime with a slice of easy breeziness. Even though the film takes place during the summer/fall, the ‘Main Title’ theme always reminded me of this time of year because of how it builds from a little bit of darkness into shining, glimmering light.
http://www.audiomack.com/song/uncle-tnuc/lucas-main-title-1 My favorite scenes in the film are probably the beginning ones. Lucas (Corey Haim) spends his carefree, sunny days wandering around town collecting bugs and running through the woods with new crush, Maggie. While Uncle T attempts to stay strong and fight back emotions while listening to this music, it’s not an easy thing to do while seeing how much talent this kid brought to the screen. Hey – we love Corey’s ‘radical era’ just as much as the next guy (The Lost Boys, License to Drive), but his early films like Silver Bullet, Secret Admirer and Lucas prove how versatile he was and shouldn’t be missed.
I hope I didn’t come across too sappy with this entry, but it can’t ALL be long butts, foggy synths and oily-muscled explosiveness 100% of the time. TNUC is still 1/2 human and 1/2 Manimal, so it’s absolutely acceptable for us to pull at the heartstrings once in a while.
When Corey passed away in 2010, a local revival movie theater in Los Angeles held an immediate screening of Lucas – which I missed – but reports from those who attended say that people in the audience were crying and cheering at the end of the movie.
Miss ya, bud!
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