"Everyone Has A Fucking Beard Here" - The Rainn Wilson Interview
George, WA -- I found Rainn Wilson to be a Gooseninja.com kind of guy. Not only does he have ties to Eastern Washington, but he's into Ninjas (I'll get to that) and seemingly everywhere at once. Like the small biplane circling the Gorge hour after hour, signage for his latest film The Rocker streaming behind, Mr. Wilson's brilliant, over-the-top acting presence has become omnipresent. As Rainn and I hung out on the side of the Sasquatch Music Festival's Mainstage in, we couldn't help but notice the small plane circling around and around. "I wish they would shoot that plane down…(He fires me a no-shit, but playfully exasperated look) It's too much, don't you think?" He said it, almost adopting the classic self-depreciating spirit of any great indi-rocker, and saving me one complaint. I agree these festivals have become over-saturated with marketing departments and promotional street teams, though instead of asking Mr. Wilson his take on the Fleet Foxes (who were performing as we chatted) I had to inquire about his next (ninja) picture, Bonzai Shadowhands.
"Imagine…Just Imagine the most fucked-up version of Karate Kid. That's Bonzai Shadowhands." Sold. The Fox Searchlight film will be directed by Jason Reitman (Juno, Thank You for Smoking). Gooseninja.com will keep you update as to the progress of this dark comedy about a depressed former master ninja.
Gazing upon the miles of God's golden country, we discussed The Office star's thoughts on Eastern Washington. "If Yakima is the armpit of Washington State, then Wapato is like the infested mole encrusted within that armpit." One should point out Rainn's wife (Author Holiday Reinhorn) hails from Wapato. The two met at the University of Washington's Hutchinson Hall in '85 and still frequent their vacation cottage in Sisters, OR. Surrounded by the malnourished and dehydrated, I found it refreshing to hear they still kick around our native Eastern Washington.
"Everyone has a fucking beard here." And he was right. These apathetic neo-hippies have no hygiene, no manners. Shave? Fuck, how about a shower! After a night of spreading herpes from tent to tent, these hardcore red-state rockers reak of BO and bud. Many of them are sporting red and white bandanas adorning the former SNL host's film The Rocker. For the role, Mr. Wilson worked with drum coach Stewart Johnson in LA.
As for real rockers, The Flaming Lips were at the top of the list for Rainn. He also professed a love for the Cold War Kids, whose show Mr. Wilson caught later on the sidestage. You could see he was completely into their set and engaged with their music. I think Rainn Wilson loves music, community, and people in general. Rolling Stone tapped him to blog for them (read it here) and interview Rogue Wave.
Gander On!
