Dave Sardy [music producer]

By: Julian Chavez | August 24, 2009 | Ten by Ten

Why do you think religion has caused so much turmoil in the world?
I think the turmoil between religions comes from power and poverty. It seems to me that one of the prime concerns of an institution, once it is established, is its own survival.  Since expansion is necessary for survival, (more food, water, land, jobs, homes, sneakers, guns, boom boxes, firewood, oil, oil, oil) organized religion, like a mega corporation, tries to actively convince us that its own particular brand is superior to the next-door neighbor’s brand. Furthermore, said neighbor becomes competition and fair target for “re-education”, which in extreme cases leads to killing, rape and property appropriation. Convert!  What’s worse is that the poorest people in the most economically challenged nations seem to be a prime target for religious bosses (clerics, popes, rabbis), putting them on the front lines of a survival/ expansion campaign. It seems history is full of examples of “the alien guy” who is used to excuse the behavior of our leaders. The major Judeo/Christian/Muslim religions organized into corporate/state structures seem to be very concerned about obliterating each other- I just hope they don’t succeed.

Who is your favorite author and why?
I love Philip K. Dick.  He has a knack for taking you on a journey that is seemingly external, but is really internal. He is associated with science fiction but most of his work has no real gadgets or gizmos unless they are key to the idea of the story.  Almost all of his work is a mind trip, including his biography!

What is the single most regrettable decision you have ever made?
My biggest life mistake was waiting to have kids. My son rules! My wife Kira was right!!!

What is your definition of happiness?
My definition of happiness is good “swell”, good food, family and friends- all at the same time.

You can choose five people, dead or alive to have dinner with.  Who would you choose and why?
The perfect dinner party would have to include, Pablo Picasso- total talent plus character.  I’m sure he would draw on the table, making it a priceless object, which would pay for the dinner.  Charles and Ray Eames would be there.  They seemed to manage to be a family and do cutting edge work while being at their home, which was in and of itself a work of art- not bad. (Have you seen their films?)  Robert Johnson, who probably had some amazing stories to tell and not to mention, was a master at fingerpicking on the guitar.  John Lennon…come on, even my two-year-old son can pick him out of a line musically. Wait…can I add a twenty-one-year-old Brigitte Bardot? I know she turned into a right wing hater but that was later. We forgive her.

Define LOVE in as few words as possible.
Love is being there while not trying to be the reason for being there.

What do you fear most?
Ten-year-olds with Uzis. 

Do you have a favorite quote?
My favorite quote is from Lars Ulrich of Metallica. “Do you have any idea what’s its like to be the only one without a Hawaiian shirt on?”

Do you think there is life on other planets?
Without a doubt.

What do you consider America’s biggest threat?
To me the biggest threat to America is a docile and uneducated public who is easily lied to and misled. As the economy goes south, funds for public education get pulled in an emergency that seems to find billions of dollars for Wall Street and bank bailouts, while “unavoidably” cutting social services.  If we can borrow money to save Wall Street, then we can borrow at least as much for Sesame Street!

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