luckyPRICK

L.A. Story

The Plain Dealer, December 8th 1996
By Michael Keaton
Transcribed by Robert Ferent

Scans:

I am tired. I don't have much left - much hope or energy, that is. But we've come too far to stop now.

Kevin McMahon is the artist formerly known as "Prick". This time there is hope. He tells me he can't wait to get out of "Hell-Lay".

Unfortunately, he is not returning to Cleveland.

By Christmas he hopes to be in London recording his second album on Trent Reznor's Nothing/Interscope label.

How does he describe L.A.?

"I'd say she was a bit of a tart who had my attention for a while. But she didn't give me enough peace of mind. She wants too much action all the time."

My heart goes out to the guy.

"In this town that makes me some kind of hillbilly. And I'm happy to be perceived that way."

"I have a complicated relationship with the city," he adds. "The sensory overload is good for new ideas, but it's not good for finishing them. There are too many distractions. Even though I don't drive, I have no TV, and I wear earplugs to sleep, the distraction is in the air. In the molecules. You look in the restaurants and see all these ego-driven people trying to be famous in different areas. They wave the carrot in front of you out here. I don't want the carrot, but I enjoy being able to catch it."

What does he miss?

"About Cleveland?" he says. "My mom and the lake."

"When I'm not in L.A., want to know what I miss about it? Nothing."