Mike Park of Skankin' Pickle Interview by Natalie Earl

[Author's note: Mike Park now runs Asian Man Records, as well as fronting the Bruce Lee Band. When he was with Skankin' Pickle he wrote "I'm In Love With a Girl Named Spike" for his album Sing Along With Skankin' Pickle. Visit the Dill Records website at http://www.dillnet.com/dill_music.html

The "Skin Head chick" that Mike Park is referring to is Liz O' Rourke (Cathy Keenan). Amanda was immortalized in song twice, once by Skankin' Pickle and once by Patrick on Degrassi High (Oh, Christine! Your hand in mine is so divine . . .) Poor Liz never got a song so I wrote one myself in Degrassi World Fan Fiction #8]

NE: Amanda Stepto (Spike) and Cathy Keenan (Liz) are my all-time favorite actresses. Therefore I was instantly captivated by your song "I'm In Love With a Girl Named Spike".

When Amanda told me that you dedicated the song to her I knew that you would be perfect for Degrassi Legacy.

MP: I love Degrassi!!! What a coincidence, Amanda Stepto called me yesterday! Yes, I was excited. Here are the lyrics:

MP: There is a girl named SPIKE from Degrassi High, She had a baby when she was real young. Her best friend is a Skin Head chick, she knows an Asian boy named Yick, Caitlin she is very schick, but I am still in love with a girl named SPIKE. I don't write love songs. In fact they make me very sick, but SPIKE the girl from Degrassi High, she's truly one cool chick. She has the best tv show, better than Beverly Hills 90210, Shannon Daugherty, well she's ok, but I am still in love with a girl named SPIKE.

NE: Why is Spike your favorite character?

MP: Because she is my dream punk rock girl! She's got a baby, her hair rules (especially Jr. High Era), her mom rules, and she's a punk.

NE: How were you able to find Amanda in Toronto and what was it like meeting her?

MP: This could actually take pages of written word, but I'll give you the shortened version. In 1993, I was on tour with my band at the time (Skankin' Pickle) and we were headed to the east coast to tour Ontario and Quebec. Instead of being excited about the tour, I could only think about being close to the birthplace of Degrassi. I kept telling my bandmates that I was going to find the girl SPIKE from Degrassi. "Whatever?", but I was persistent and that's all I would talk about. Even at the border I talked to the customs people about Degrassi. At the shows, I talked to kids about it and it made me very happy to know that everyone knew that this show existed (Only 25% know what I'm talking about in the U.S.), even though most didn't seem to care! Oh well! We were also on tour with a band from Toronto called King Apparatus. In conversation with the drummer's girlfriend, she said that Spike worked somewhere in Kensington Market. The next day I got directions and went on my journey.

MP: I searched every shop and then I walked in to the store that she was at. I couldn't believe it! That was her? She was awesome! I started to tremble and for some reason couldn't approach her! What's wrong with me! So I left!!!!! I can't believe I left, but I did. All day, I kept thinking how dumb I was!! The next day I trek back over to the store with a renewal of confidence. But to my dismay, she's not working. I ask the girl who is, if that indeed was Spike who I saw in there yesterday. "Yes!" was her response. "But she's left for Montreal to do a speaking engagement" What? I really blew it! Anyway the girl working was friends with Spike and was very cool. I told her we were playing Lee's Palace (this club is mentioned in an episode of Degrassi) in 3 days and to please come. She said she would and that Spike would be returning that evening and she would try to get her to go.

MP: Well we took a bunch of pictures of her store and we were off. 3 days later, we played the show and while I was packing up a girl came up to me and I looked up and it was her. You can only imagine my emotional high! We only got to hang out for awhile, cause she hadn't slept in 24 hours, but we took some photos together and she told me stop by the store the next day and she would give me some gifts. So I did, and she gave me a Degrassi pee chee folder and some Degrassi post cards. How cool is that? She said that she would be in California in a few months, so I gave her my number and told her to call if she needed a place to stay and guess what? She called and stayed at my house for 4 days. HOORAY!

NE: How did Amanda react to "I'm in Love With a Girl Named Spike"?

MP: The first time Spike (I always call her SPIKE, even in real life I try not to call her Amanda. It's either SPIKE or Christine) heard the song was about 8 months after our initial meeting. I was sitting at home when the phone rang it was SPIKE. She was in San Francisco and had a 4 hour layover on her way to Hong Kong. And she just wanted to say HI! But I told her I would be there in one hour. So I headed over (I live in San Jose) and got to hang out for a bit. We went to my car and I played her the song. Her reaction was-I think these are exact words "that's really PUNK"-cool!

NE: Did Skankin' Pickle fans appreciated the homage to Degrassi/Spike?

MP: I definitely think they did. I used to talk to the crowd about Degrassi and they would cheer loudly when we played the SPIKE song.

NE: Did you have crushes on any of the other girls like Liz, Caitlin, Lucy, or Melanie?

MP: Oh yeah! I'm totally in love with Caitlin also. She's an amazing character. Always trying to be politically correct, but screwing up. She's great.

NE: Were you inspired by the Zit Remedy?

MP: I was inspired, but more in a comical way. I just think it's amazing that they only have one song.

NE: What is your favorite episode of Degrassi?

MP: It is impossible to narrow it down to one. I like every episode. I still watch my tapes at least once a week and if I meet someone who loves Degrassi, I'll have a marathon session.

NE: Do you have a special message that you would like to dedicate to Amanda?

MP: Thanks for being a part of the greatest show of all time. I'm glad you are so down to earth and still find time to call me and send me Christmas cards. You truly rule! Good luck in Japan and I'll be over there to visit hopefully soon. Peace Always, Mike Park