Stephen and his crack ensemble Smash Palace went and made one of my favorite albums of 2004, then followed it up with a beyond-strong career compilation called, not surprisingly or even big-headed in the least I assure you, “Smash Palace Best Of ’99 - ’06.”

You should all head straight on over to www.smashpalacemusic.com to grab your very own copy right away,

but while we’re all waiting, Stephen graciously consented to virtually answer my usual eight, as he called ‘em, “very unusual questions.” Couldn’ta said it better myself, sir:

1. "Munsters" or "Addams Family": Which one's for you, and Why?
I can't say I ever really sat and watched an entire episode of either of these shows but I can say I'm a big fan of the theme songs. They are both great songs but my choice would be the Addams Family theme ...must be the harpsichord and those finger snaps...what a hook...I'm envious.

I must comment on the general lack of catchy theme songs for current TV shows. Remember songs like "Secret Agent" or the "Bonanza" theme song? I'm one of the few guitarists around who can play the theme song from "Mr. Ed" and I'm very proud of that.

2. Who in the world, living or dead, would you most like to play a game of "Twister" with?
Well since my wife is going to read this, I'd have to say the rhythm guitarist in Smash Palace ...she's the best. But if my wife left me, then I'd have to say Penelope Cruz because she looks a little like my wife

...I hope I don't get in trouble for this... thanks Gary!

3. How many Sid King & the Five Strings records do you own?
I don't own any Sid King and the Five String records. I do have all of the Sid King and the Six String records. I think they lost something when they went from 6 strings to five strings.

4. If you had been working the front gate at The Dakota that night a quarter century ago when nasty Mark David Chapman showed up, pistol in hand, to avenge the Chief Beatle for his "Bigger than Jesus" wisecrack, what would you have done?
I would have strangled the bastard ...not killed him, just strangled Chapman and then called the cops.

I'm not a violent person but with him I'd make an exception.

5. "Ginger" or "Mary-Ann": Which one's for you, and for How Long?
This one's easy... Mary-Ann and for as long as she'd have me.

6. What single song, living or dead, do you most wish you'd written. and Why Didn't You?
The one song I've wish I'd written is "Friday On My Mind." It's pretty amazing. Great hook, cool key changes, lyrics I think anyone can identify with and some really awesome back up vocals. It's an art form to pack that much into one 2 minute song.

7. Whose guitar would you most like to be reincarnated as?
I'd like to be Paul McCartney’s Epiphone Casino ...it's been through it all from 1965 to the present. I play a Casino in Smash Palace and it's a great guitar. Not as muddy as a Les Paul and not a thin sounding as Strat... it's right in the middle.

8. In 2000 words or less, Your hopes, Aspirations and Goals, musical and otherwise, for your life and your country?
My goals right now are to make good records, sell them of course, tour and play for people who'd buy them and maybe after all these years of making records actually get paid...is that too much to ask?

As for my country... could it get any worse than it is now ...hopefully will get a new president that has a brain instead of straw...

that's my one reference to the Wizard of Oz ...there's always a reference to that movie in everything it seems.