JF: It seems that there are lots of people that I know that would love BOC if they just gave them a chance. I'll say "Man, I've been listening to a lot of BOC lately" and they all get this holier-than-thou smirk on their faces. But then I'll play them a song without telling them who it is and they love it. Then when I tell them it's Blue Oyster Cult, the expression on their faces is priceless. I usually play "Dominance & Submission" or "Harvester of Eyes" for the "rock snobs" that I know. And something like "Joan Crawford" or even "Then Came the Last Days of May" for the people who are scared of "rock" and listen to show tunes. (although I usually try to steer clear of people who listen to show tunes. Unless it's "Guys and Dolls"...I fuckin' LOVE that musical.)

AL: I know what you mean. When you mention BOC to people, they immediately say, "Oh, the Reaper song!" I know a lot of bands get stigmatized with their hit song, and usually their hit song is their worst in the eyes of their fans, but it hurts especially with BOC because they have SO many albums out. And they really run the gamut in style, from the hard-edged classic rock of their late-70's work to the experimental, keys-heavy mid-80s sound to their god-awful, please-make-it-stop cheesy pop rock of "Club Ninja." (Let us never speak of "Club Ninja" again.) I mean you just can't compare "Don't Fear the Reaper" with "Astronomy" or "7 Screaming Dizbusters." All BOC songs are identifiably BOC, but they are so much more than "Don't Fear The Reaper." And that song should never have had the cowbell.

JF: I know that the first time I saw BOC live it blew my f-ing mind; do you have any awesome live BOC stories to "brag" about?

AL: Thanksgiving. 1995 (or '96). Westbury Music Fair. The show to end all shows. Wishbone Ash, Uriah Heap, Nazareth, and... Blue Oyster Cult.

The night was magical on so many levels. For one, I got to meet and socialize with my fellow BOC brethren - most of whom looked like Hell's Angels and trailer trash. Secondly, the MC of the evening was none other than Boy Gary from the Howard Stern show. (Apparently, Eric Bloom is Howard's cousin.) My seat was actually right behind Gary's, and I heckled him with Bababooeys for most of the night...