Russ Lippitt - Lion's Share

We aim to be featuring a lot more literature here at Voltcase this year and, kicking things off in style, is an interview with Russ Lippitt, the author of the new coming-of-age with a difference novel 'Lion's Share'.

A tour-de-force of greaser mayhem, for more info you can check out the official Left Brain Writings page here!

VOLTCASE RUSS LIPPITT INTERVIEW:

Welcome to Voltcase, Russ, how are things?

I’m doing fucking great! How about yourself?

So, how would you describe yourself to a stranger in three words?

Well I was told not to talk to strangers but if he had a candy bar I guess it would be okay, ha! Fuck, I don’t know. Punk! Rebellious! Anarchy!

Now the reason we are featuring you in Voltcase this month is to coincide with the launch of your novel, Lion’s Share. Can you tell us a little about it?

If you like hardcore, drugs, fighting, stealing, punks, greasers, hotrods, motorcycles, speed, violence and anarchy, this book is for you! I don’t pussy foot around in this novel. It’s blunt and to the point and brings up serious moral questions about society as seen through the eyes of Billy a.k.a. Psychobilly, the main character.

You seem quite rooted in the whole rockabilly lifestyle which had a quite a revival recently, what’s the scene like out there in L.A. at the moment? Or in the U.S. in general?

The scene out here is strong on the east and west coast. The Midwest can go to hell as far as I’m concerned, I hate the bible belt! Bands come and go but I think the biggest reason for the revival of rockabilly subculture is due to the fact of people finding out who they are. There’s so much media out there telling people how to live their life in a functional society; how to dress, what music to listen to, how to fuck. Rockabilly brings back a simpler time of rebellion and lifestyle.

And being in a U.K. based ‘zine, we have to ask – do you have any plans to pop over to the U.K., or have been here before? Are you influenced at all by many U.K. bands or artist?

I would love to visit the U.K., but I’m a starving artist. Maybe some day after my novel makes the New York’s best seller, I’ll make it my new stomping grounds. My first and probably the best documentary I ever saw was UK/DK, ever since that I looked into the punk scene over there. The U.K. really captures the Punk attitude; the list of great bands go far and deep and still continues to this day.

There’s a hell of a lot of stuff going on in your website www.leftbrainwritins.com and you mention that script/screenwriting is something that you’re currently pursuing. Is anything going on with that at the moment, and any plans to make a ‘Lion’s Share film?

Actually, I just finished writing the script version of Lion’s Share and I have a few producers looking into making it a movie. My main goal is to write novels that can be adapted into film. As far as my other scripts, I’m always sending query letters to production companies to see if they would like to take on the project. It’s hard though; trying to sell a script in Hollywood is like trying to sell an Eskimo a block of ice.

I know you’re a writer by trade, but any rock-star style stories that you can tell us about? Any tales of destruction and debauchery that would shock even the most unshockable of Voltcase readers?

What are you taking about? I am a rock star of a writer, Ha! Where should I begin? I can’t really say much because last time I did an interview I gave too much information and someone got busted. Let’s just say, most of the stories I write have a lot of truth behind of it. Fighting, stabbing, drug use, death etc… that’s the beauty of growing up through the underbelly of society, you really get to see the shit hit the fan.

If you were interviewing yourself, what question would you like to ask yourself and what would the answer be?

I always wanted someone to ask me, why? Why do you write? I want people to read again. I think our generation is consumed by T.V. and flashy lights. The only books people read now-a-days are text books so they can get straight A’s in school, become an up-right citizen and get a nice slice of pie in some big corporation. Or some fantasy book about fiery kids going to wizard school, trying to take the reader away from their daily grind. I try to put an important message and some meaning behind my literature. Nothing too thought provoking but something that will make you think. Reading is fundamental and is one of the last uncensored art form. I write for the scene, there are a few people doing that. I’m not in it for the money; I just want people to not conform and to go against the grain. Trust me; it’s more fun on the other side.

So, what are your plans for the rest of the year?

I started my new novel and plan to finish it by Christmas, it’s a little top secret at the moment because the copyright issues. But I will be updating my Myspace and website for new information as it happens. I think it would be appropriate to release my new novel on the day Christ was born. Ha!

And finally the question that we ask everyone that appears in Voltcase – what does the word Voltcase mean to you?

I think of a little case dark in the corner, still of night. Light breeches out the lining barely holding all that god damn voltage, ready to fucking explode to any who dares to open it! You know, like your magazine. I like it! I think I’ll start working on that novel. I’ll call it Pandora’s Voltcase! Haha!