www.mirrorballs.info November 2009
Bear Edition
Zeb Atlas Steve Cruz Rascally Randy Lucas Alexander Mr SALeathermen Salvation in Africa
MIRRORBALLS November 2009 Publisher: Nhamo Editor: TheCygnet South African Correspondent: Exit Newspaper Cover Photo: Gray I’ons (ww.grayions.com) Contributors: Colin Swan, Lucas Alexander, James Myhre, Rascally Randy
Š Copyright, MIRRORBALLS 2009. No Part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in an electronic or other retrievable system, or transmitted by any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording or otherwise without the prior permission of the publisher. Advertisers are reminded of their obligations under the 1984 Trade Protection Act. Advertisers are responsible for the content of their copy under the terms of the Act. The appearance or mention of any establishment, product, individual or organisation within this publication, should not be taken as an endorsement by the publishers of the same unless otherwise stated. The appearance, mention or likeness of any individual or organisation within this magazine should not be construed as an indication of either the sexual preference or political persuasion of the same, unless otherwise stated. Contributions are welcomed on the understanding that any unsolicited manuscripts that they may be published without further correspondence, with a fee (if applicable) paid at standard rates as specified by MIRRORBALLS. Work cannot be returned to the author unless agreed by the publisher.
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
Jaco
- Mr SALeathermen
Words: Jamie Myhre Photos: Gray I’Ons Earlier this year SALeathermen voted Jaco Lourens to win the title Mr SALeathermen 2009. As such he will represent the country at the 2010 International Mr. Leather event in Chicago - becoming the first person ever to represent an African country in the event’s 30 year history. MIRRORBALLS caught up with Jaco recently and asked him about his life, and his preparations for the IML contest next spring. MB: Give us a short background about yourself. Where were you born and raised? Any personal details you’d like to share. JL: I was born in Pretoria, Gauteng in 1972, September 11th, raised in a very small town called Newcastle, the town was built around families who started working at either a coal mine or a steel manufacturer, even as a young boy I didn’t want to end up living there and become the stereotypical Afrikaner – South African. I always saw myself as different, the friends I made, the choices I made even as a child. I knew I was gay or different to my friends, family, from the age of 6. I had a difficult childhood, and left the house at an early age of 17 and began to explore the world! The best thing that happened in my life. Ended up in Cape Town, where I knew this is where I want to settle and stay, with all of us, I made many mistakes and learnt from it, worked in retail, to graphic design. Was a barman in a Leather bar in Cape Town for a couple years, enjoyed working with people and in that setting. Started doing some web design that started as a hobby and turned into a business. MB: When was your first experience with Leather/BDSM? JL: I had a very vanilla partner who wouldn’t let me experience with bondage, or leather with him, biggest kink I ever gotten out of him is having sex just before going to church on a Sunday! I went on holiday with friends to America with a stopover in Amsterdam, exploring the leather bars and the leather culture I found myself, being approached by a tall mature bearded gentleman in one of the darkrooms, within seconds I found myself being handcuffed to a pipe above my head, t-shirt pulled over my head, I asked the guy to be gentle as this was really my first time, and what a wonderful time it was… I could smell his leather jacket, his musky armpits, hear the leather move, folding as he was exploring my very young body, and gloves on my tits, cock and ass. During the torture, pleasure and pain, I am sure I stepped out of my body and experienced this from another dimension… Returning to South Africa with more experience and finding very few guys that are into S&M, I began searching online and in bars for what I need, finding a few “tops” to play
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MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
with, they soon realize that I was getting bored with what was happening, I remember one time a top tied me up, I was giving him instructions if you will, how to tie me up and what next to do. Very frustrated the guy said that I should do the tying up and controlling, my initial thought was that I am way too young to play the top role, but soon got over that. From that day on, I stepped into the Master/Top role and still enjoy learning, experimenting as I go along. MB: As with being gay, was there a “coming out” for you as a Leatherman? JL: Yes most definitely, gay society in general is not very accepting of real Leathermen, there was a time that I was ashamed of wearing my leather, a fear of what others might say then they see me walk into a bar or a club wearing my leather. I realize with most things in my life, I have no guilt about anything that I have either attempted, achieved, who I am or what I believe in. So I began and still wear my leather with pride, leather is who I am, leather is partly that shaped me in being the strong minded and liberal person that I am today. With everything in life, we all start with baby steps…. My first baby steps were to accept myself wearing and enjoying leather, next gay society, next straight society. I can walk freely in shopping centre’s wearing a fetish leather jacket with my cock ring hanging off my left shoulder, knowing that I am who I am and not who others want me to be. MB: As an “out and proud” Leatherman, do you feel that the association has impacted you negatively, positively, or both? In work? In friendships? JL: Both positive and negative, positive in the sense of strengthening friendships, relationship and my own personal marriage, negative in the sense of leather intimidates most people (which I enjoy to a point), but it’s up to me to educate those who either fear or appalled by leather or the idea of someone that are into leather. After my win at SAleathemen, the next day I met two lesbian ladies, who were both surprised that a “leatherman” was that friendly and nice to them or anyone, the idea that both of them had was that I am this mean bastard who probably harm small animals… Work wise, I am my own boss to speak, but the straight man I work for has a certain interest in leather as well and we get along very well. MB: How did you become involved in HIV work? How did you educate yourself? JL: I had a partner who died in 1999 due to HIV/AIDS, as a very young 24 year old boy, I had to quickly learn all about I can to ensure it doesn’t happen to me, like with a big learning curve, I made many mistakes, up to the point where I, with the help of a dear friend took steps to ensure I lead a healthy life. MB: How did Dibanani come about? JL: The organization who assisted me in my partner’s last months on earth, asked me to help them out 10 years later, its then when I got involved in that organization called Joy for Life full time. After 22 of Joy for Life’s existence we had to close the doors, due to a lack of funding. On the last day before we closed our doors, my 3 patient advocates came
up to me and asked me if this means that we will stop doing charity work, we all agreed to start from scratch again with fund raising and continuing with our programs we been running very successfully. Dibanani was born‌ Dibanani a Xhosa word, meaning Unity. MB: What are you immediate aims for the charity? And what are long-term goals? JL: Continue to give support to people who can’t afford the luxuries of private doctors, philologists etc, giving that very much needed shoulder to cry on, educating grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts how to care for their friends and family living with HIV/AIDS. Continue to show people living with this terminal illness that its possible to live a healthy positive life with HIV/AIDS.
Continuing to provide employment for my three patient advocates, striving to improve their standard of living all the time. MB: What made you decide to take part in the Mr. SAleathermen competition? JL: Jamie Myhre who was then the chairman of SAleathermen if it was not for him and his enthusiasm I would not have entered, putting Dibanani AIDS Project in the spotlight, creating more awareness about a disease which many people don’t know anything about or don’t care. Help generating funding for the cause I am fighting with 3 other wonderful people. MB: Do you think there’s value to competitions like this? What can they accomplish?
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JL: Most certainly there is value to competitions like these; it brings the leather community together, creating a family, unity in highlighting different views, interests and awareness. We can educate leathermen within our circles; we can educate the broader gay community and also the straight community about safer sex, tolerance & what a leather man is. MB: What do you think you can bring to the IML competition as the first African contestant? JL: Pride in so many ways, I am going to be the first African to walk on the IML stage!!! I am going to bring the pride of a nation, SAleathermen and along with many friends around the world celebrate our entrance on the world stage in Chicago 2010. I will bring with me, humility, strength, honesty & dedication. MB: Who in the Leather community or Leather history has inspired you? JL: Touko Laaksonen – creator of Tom of Finland drawings, Jack Ferry my mentor and close friend who lives in Chicago and very active in the leather community and in IML, last but not least my husband Herman Groenewald, who inspire me every day, together we enjoy leather, explore our fetishes and fun and broadening our knowledge of leather and the leather culture. Events such as IML of course, Folsom Street fair, the very first SAleathermen competition held in South Africa. MB: Who outside Leather community has inspired you? JL: My husband again, Herman Groenewald, Nelson Mandela, daily people that for some reason or another come into my life for either 5 minutes or 5 years, keeping me grounded and showing me that we are all human and we are all creatures who needs to be loved and give love. MB: Are views about Leather/BDSM changing in South Africa? What, in your opinions, are the main obstacles? JL: South Africa is in a time period where change is happening, financially, spiritually and sexually, we have freedoms now that we haven’t had before, we have options that we haven’t had before, the Leather/BDSM culture is evolving, not just in the gay sector but across the board. Changes for me have been positive, people are more accepting but we interested in the BDSM culture needs to educate ourselves all the time and others. Obstacles for me are safer sex play, acceptance by broader community and discrimination, even in our own circles towards people that are not into the culture we find ourselves in. MB: What do you think the Leather/BDSM community can do to change negative attitudes about the community?
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009 JL: By educating people all the time, accepting yourself, others who might not share your views. MB: And lastly, what are your feelings about the “bareback ban” instituted by the organizers of the next IML? JL: I am all for the ban that has been instituted by the organizers, it’s a step in the right direction to educate and warn people. We have reached a point in the HIV history where people simply don’t care anymore about their own safety or those of others.
You can read more about Jaco and the Dibanani Project at www.jacolourens.co.za
Words: Nhamo Photos supplied by Rascally Randy
Rascally Randy is a man on a mission. Well, no thats not quite right. He is a man with a webcam and he knows how to use it. He is one of the growing number of Video Bloggers (Vloggers for short) who are reaching a global audience through the wonders of YouTube. Watching his shows you can’t help but think there is more to this man than meets the eye. In an attempt to quell our hitherto insatiable thirst for knowledge we caught up with Randy, wrestled the webcam from his grasp and sat him down to answer some impertinent questions.
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MB: First up. Just who is Rascally Randy? RR: Oh…I’m just another tired old queen who is obsessed with ‘Desperate Housewives’, moisturizer, 70’s Disco and Pilates. NO, NO, NO! That’s not who I am at all!!! I’m NOT obsessed with Pilates…I cross train! MB: Where are you from? RR: Born, reared and occasionally bred (with varying degrees of success) in San Francisco, The Bay Area & Northern California. MB: For those of our readers who have never been there, how is life in the Gay capital of the world? RR: If you mean how’s life in Fog City/Baghdad-By-The-Bay/’Frisco’/The City…aka: San Francisco: Life is pretty darn good! San Francisco (and the Bay Area) is my ancestral home so ‘The Left’ and ‘The Lefter’ all seem normal and even ‘conservative’ to me… until I travel. I then realize that either something is not-quite-right about ‘here’, or something very-quite-wrong about ‘there’. My bet is on ‘Here’, and I have faith that our world will catch up…I hope . MB: What is your view on PROP 8 and the political gay rights in the USA? RR: Prop 8, huh? Do you mean the Queer-Homo-Fag-Marriage gig/thingy that went down in the incendiary flames of homophobia, faith-based hatred, governmentally sanctioned & institutionalized bigotry, and was defeated largely with funding from a nameless out-of-state, cult-like, pseudo-religion in Utah? You mean THAT PROP 8? I’m not political so I don’t know anything about that, but I love puppies and kittens, and I have very strong opinions on window treatments, and Atkins versus The Zone. MB: How has California state law developed in the 20 years? RR: I dunno…Ya win some ya loose some I guess: That’s more a question for those dang-nab politically astute DemoLezboCrats than a superficial “Lifestyle-Choice’ Homo like Rascally Randy. MB: How does the memory of Harvey Milk impact on your life and the loves of theors in San Francisco? RR: Now that I’m America’s-Next-Top-Spokes-Model, The Lesbians just tell me to say that ‘Harvey Milk was a great man’ so…since I ALWAYS turn to Lesbians for anything serious or political, so here goes, lezgirls: ‘HARVEY MILK WAS A GREAT MAN’…and a darn good movie too… now I know that this is gay blasphemy, but…I think his sense of style was seriously flawed from a fashion perspective. He was NO Edith ‘little Edie’
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MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
Bouvier Beale: that’s fer shure! [Sorry Lezzbows, I shoulda stopped after ‘HARVEY MILK WAS A GREAT MAN’. Stoopid-Stoopid me!] MB: It is evident from Rascally Randy that you are well read gentleman who can speak eloquently on any issue from Anal bleaching to Vivaldi. How is this achieved? RR: I’m sure that when you say ‘Vivaldi’ you really mean ‘Puccini’…who appears regularly on the Rascally Randy Channel…and has actually shown up plastered [on] my rascally butt being yodeled by Maria Callas in my Magnum Opus and MUST-SEE YouTube Video: Randy Presents: Ass-Masterpiece Theatre: 'A Night at the Operass’ with Maria Callas. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18muCbiK5zY Now Vivaldi, specifically Le quattro stagioni …and MORE specifically, the first movement "La primavera"…anywho: He’s the dude they play at cliché weddings and brunches when they want to class-it-up, but don’t really like or listen to classical music. As for the Anal Bleaching, that best-kept dirty [brownish] little secret, let’s face it…WE ALL DO IT, so don’t be so coy with me, Missy! Errrr…ummmm….PLEASE do not tell me it’s just me with the Hydroquinone Butt-Creme…and those three porn bottoms? MB: How do you balance the image of tough, woof leather-stud to a romantic candlelit classic bath? How do you reconcile the two conflicting images without losing the message you want project? RR: There no conflict here, but at the risk of stepping on some toes, I’ll explain: People really should bathe occasionally…sorry, I REALLY feel that way. If you wear leather the Rascally way…then you really, REALLY need to bathe regularly. You can’t just toss your leather trousers in the wash, bright-boy. It’s hard enough getting the residue off the outside without having to worry about the insides. MB: What made you choose the TOM OF FINLAND image you portray (the leather pants jacket cigar and hairy chest)? RR: Well, bub…ya work with what ya got. I guess you’d have to say that my Dad…and one of my Brothers (all Breeders, as far as I know!) also have a Tom of Finland image to some degree, since we all look like clones of each other. It’s a bit odd, even for me to be so keenly aware of such genetic hardwiring: The Rascally Apple does not fall far from Big Daddy’s Rascally Family Apple tree! MB: How did the Tom Of Finland influence you and what is it that makes you associate yourself with that image? RR: Besides being sustaining JO material par excellence, I never considered my image to be that of a one-dimensional, over-exaggerated, artistically-stylized, hyper-sexualized, pencil-drawn cartoon-men created by Tom of Finland…until people started making the
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
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MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
comparison by saying thing like: “Well, Randy, You are looking very ‘Tom of Finland’ today…how usual of you.” So…my initial reaction was: “Works for me, now bend over!”. MB: What is your favourite Village People song? RR: ‘Macho Man’…hands down! Not only because of the profoundly transformational lyrics, but also the ground breaking chord changes and ‘Glass’ like tonal progression….who the fuck am I kidding? That song is like a freaking viral brain worm that gets in your head and won’t let up until you seek anal sex with anonymous partners…That’s why it’s my favorite! MB: Turning now to your YouTube Channel, what is inspiration in your video blogging content? RR: My so-called life and the so-called music I listen to, mostly. Sometimes the idea is like having an annoying rock in my shoe: It keeps bugging me until I get it out. Other times they just come out of nowhere. Dating is a HUGE source of inspiration…so I try to date as infrequently as possible. I already make way too many of these content-free videos. The last thing I need is MORE content-free inspiration. MB: How has YouTube changed your life and the way you view communication? RR: Before the YT and the RRC (RascallyRandy Channel) I thought the whole internet debacle was more like a ravenous black-whole that sucked away at your time and creativity, but with really great music downloads! Originally the RRC had no concept other than ‘make videos’. As The RRC started to congeal, I realized that I can either ‘use’ the web…or be ‘used by’ the web. I chose to use it, use my image, work it, play with it…trash myself and my ‘Image’ by putting my furry face…and my furry chest… and a couple of cigars, maybe…out there! Now, it’s quite an amusing to me and surprisingly interactive experience between me and my some of subscribers. I prefer it to ‘Desperate Housewives’!
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MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
SALVATION IS COMING TO AFRICA Qc2 productions in collaboration with Crew presents the first ever Salvation tour to South Africa this December 2009. It all started back in 1998 in the throbbing heart of London's West End, where seekers of pleasure gathered under the famous chandelier of the Café de Paris for most of Salvation’s history, before expanding to several different locations around the capital like the Bloomsbury Ballroom, Pacha, Troxy & the London Hippodrome. Masses of the beautiful and stylish congregated for their regular fix of those signature funky house that have made Salvation a must for clubbers. Salvation’s events grew to numerous glamorous and ostentatious parties around the globe with regular parties in Paris, Amsterdam, Rome and Berlin, as well as new journeys into New York, Moscow, Rio de Janeiro, Sydney and many parts of Asia. The music and brand of Salvation has proved popular around the globe with each new Salvation event attracting capacity crowds. With its worldwide reputation of delivering quality productions and cutting edge sounds by its stable of internationally famous DJ stars, Salvation continues to attract loyal fans and tasteful music lovers the world over.
Steve Elliot owner of Salvation says: “We are really excited about the forthcoming tour of South Africa this December, It has been nearly two years in the making and we have worked hard, along with some of the biggest SA event organizers, to finally present Salvation to three of South Africa’s biggest cities; Johannesburg, Durban & Cape Town. Salvation is truly one of the biggest global gay parties in the world, and has enjoyed events in over 50 different cities during its eleven year reign. We pride ourselves in our family of top European DJ’s, along with our incredible performers from across the world. These elements create our unique blend, and ensure our continued success in world class parties. This year’s New Year celebrations, Salvation will be on four different continents; Africa, America, Europe & Asia, but we are especially excited about coming to South Africa, as it will be our first! We all need Salvation; it’s time to bring it to South Africa.” Brace yourself for a soul saving experience with eye boggling laser, light & video displays, breathtaking décor, sexiest dancers and much, much more than you could ever wish for. Johannesburg’s super club JET will host the opening night of the tour and then the tour will then travel to our first coastal experience at Durban’s new mega club Origin. Picking up speed Cape Town's
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
DATES: Salvation South African Tour 09
Johannesburg 26th December JET at The Coca Cola Dome,
Durban 29th December biggest Club Crew will host the New Year Salvation party when the city is host to many escaping the Cold of Europe and America. “These will be parties to chapter in your memoirs! We are pulling out all the stops to present one of the most groundbreaking parties ever in terms of production, entertainment and style excitement as never seen before!” Says Pieter Rossouw, Qc2 Director. The tour will feature the top Salvation DJ, Pier Morocco from London, backed up by a star studded South African line up of DJ’s and artists that will deliver the hottest year-end parties in South Africa.
Origin
Cape Town 31st December Crew Street Party
More information: www.qc2.co.za www.salvation-london.com
Recommended travel agents: www.alternativetravel.co.za &
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MIRRORBALLS
Erratum Last month we neglected to credit Paul Hudson, the author and photographer who contributed our article on Salvador, Bahia Brazil. We would like to extend our thanks and sincere apologies to Paul who lives in Salvador and is now working with MIRRORBALLS to put together travel packages for our readers who, having read his article, would like to visit to sample the sun, sand and sexy beach boys.
Devastating David Pictures: Kris Micallef
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www.krismicallef.com MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
Maximise your Work-out Words: & Images: Lucas Alexander
It doesn't matter whether if you are an Endomorph, Mesomorph or even an Ectomorph, everyone can get the muscular body that you desire. Here are some reasons why some of you who have already been working out regularly and have yet to see any real tangible muscle growths.
handles), your love handles will always remain there unless you lose sufficient bodyfat. In fact, your love handles may grow even bigger because now, you have muscles growing under your fats and thus thickening your waist further! Quit doing these useless puny exercises and start losing weight to reduce your tummy fat and love handles.
First of all, can you tell me what are the most frequent weight resistance exercises you see people do when they are in the gym? Oh....so you are doing hundreds of sit ups everyday to build your abs muscles Yup, the most common exercises are so that you can flaunt your six pack side bends to get rid of love handles, abs? Let me ask you a question. If that bicep curls, wrist curls to train their is the case, then why is your 6 pack forearms, tricep extensions, sit ups and abs not showing after years and the likes aren't they? thousands of sit ups, leg raisers and miserable ab crunches? Now if you are doing these puny exercises, then be prepared for a nasty The reasons are actually very simple. shock! You are wasting your freaking Firstly, sit up is one of the worst abs time and effort! Yes, these exercises exercises and as a matter of fact, can certainly have their own benefits, but even lead to serious back injuries if they are not the exercises for you to done wrongly over a period of time effectively build huge big overall (that will be for another article). The muscle mass! second reason is that how can you see your fabulous six pack abs if your If you are doing side bends or waist abdominal muscle is hiding under your twisting exercises, you are probably an belly fat? Therefore in order to see Endomorph trying to get rid of your your abs muscles, you must lose the love handles, right? Now, you may have excessive fats on your belly! heard this before, but I am saying it again to burn it into your brain. There is Now, the other common exercises such no such thing as spot reduction! So no as the wrist bends, bicep curls, leg matter how hard your work your extensions, tricep push downs etc are obliques (the muscles under your love body specific exercises and these
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
exercises work on isolated muscle parts such as the biceps or the forearms, just to name 2 specific body parts. The exercises will stimulate growth in those specific body parts and real muscle growth for the entire body will be agonisingly slow because you will be building muscles part by part and brick by agonising brick.
be executing powerful compound exercises like the squat, dead lift and bench press! These exercises ain't called the BIG 3 for nothing!
However, be warned. Compound exercises such as the squats which work many muscle parts are to be executed with much heavier weights to be effective and if your form and Think about it. Contrast those puny technique of weight training is wrong, exercises with say a squat, which works you will not be successful getting the your entire lower body, your glutes maximum effect of the exercises and to (bottom), your entire back and even make matters worse, you are also your core muscles at the same time and putting yourself into real risks of because of its intensity, it leaves you serious nasty gym injuries, sometimes panting after each set of squat which in even permanent injuries. So, to have turn gives you an aerobic workout as the knowledge of how to build bigger well so as to burn more fat calories! muscles safely is of utmost importance. Now, even if you combine those puny To build big muscles is no secret, it is exercises together, the overall muscle just science of which you can learn. mass building benefits of just a single heavy squat is far more superior beyond any doubt! Learn more at www.lucasalexander.net So, if you want to build overall muscle mass on your entire body, you should
spirit energie conviction
www.verve-london.com
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
Steve Cruz Words: Nhamo Images:TheCygnet, Mustang Studios
Earlier this year MIRRORBALLS reported on Hustlaball London (see our May 2009 issue). We didn’t really get time to chat to Steve Cruz then but we caught up with him again while he was visiting Europe this autumn. MB: Just who is Steve Cruz? Tell us a bit about yourself, especially what makes you one of Raging Stallion’s sexiest actors. SC: Thats a huge question. I'm a director, producer but most guys know me from my work in front of the camera. I guess guys like me for my wild performances and enthusiasm. Some call me a cock hungry pig, I think sex should be fun. MB: Congratulations on your recent awards: winning Man of the Year 2008 at the Gayvn Awards, and Naked Sword Man of the Year 2009. What prompted your switch from actor to director? SC: I still do both actually. I'll be starring in Raging Stallion's 'Focus/ Refocus' I play one of the lead characters. That comes out in December. I wanted to direct because I have a vision. I see ideas for movies all the time. I also understand how to work well with performers because I know their job so well... so the two translated nicely into a new position.
MB: What makes you chose the roles you play in movies and type of movies you act in? SC: Only Raging Stallion requires acting. LOL! If you call what I do acting. I did have to take lessons for 'Focus/ Refocus'. I'm not a natural actor, I'm a natural ham! Some parts I wrote for myself- like 'Hotter Than Hell', others I take because they are good opportunities. MB: Being an actor yourself has this influenced your choice as to which movies you direct? For example, your film, Blue Movie (2008) SC: Maybe. Directing for Mustang, our first 7 movies focus on chemistry and the guys rather than a story. Blue Movie, Red Light, Green Door and Dirty! they are background themes, just a framework. The most I've wanted to write are situations that make the sex hotter and don't distract from it. Most of my projects are just about hot sex because I know most porn models don't know how to act or want to. But now that I am launching HardFriction.com I may try adding one plot intensive project with a story just to try it. Its not appropriate for Mustang but anything goes on my website.
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MB: Whilst we are on the subject of Blue Movie, rumours has it that the was raided by police while you were filming. How did your actors and crew handle the situation and what impact did the incident have on you as the director of the film? SC: It was annoying more than anything. A disgruntled ex-employee most likely placed the call... sad! Anyway, nothing really happened. The police were harsh at first but quickly calmed down because we were a professional set. We weren't doing anything illegal so we resumed the following weekend. It was an interesting thing to learn to handle as a new director, made me better at managing stress and people- every challenge does. In the end it was a great press opportunity and the movie sold record numbers... even was
nominated for best All Sex movie at GAVYNs this year. MB: Which other film companies do you work for and how do their style of films vary? SC: Both Mustang and Raging Stallion have similarities, we go for a more masculine guy. The focus is on the sex. We both like hairy guys, muscular types, rough around the edges. Mustang is run more like a corporation than Raging Stallion, Chris Ward the CEO of Raging Stallion is also a director so he understands production from the ground up. Movies I make at Mustang are only budgeted 3 days for the whole production, that’s tough. Raging Stallion budgets based on the project, some movies take a month, some a week. The big projects allow you to put more into the project.
MB: You are one of the key reasons our readers love the Raging Stallion company. When you are acting, what preparation rituals do you employ to to get yourself ready that is must physically demanding and emotionally challenging.
work out hard and I try to get proper rest before a movie. A big project where I have 3 or more scenes, I'll need a few days to recover. It's extremely physical work, people may think its easy, to do it well-- it's hard work.
SC: Depends on the project, I may have a character... the last movie I took acting lessons. Sex performance is always physically challenging... I
MB: How do you keep yourself in such great shape? Perhaps you could share with us some of your workout routine and diet?
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
SC It gets harder as I get older. And now that I direct I can allow myself to become more relaxed about my diet than I want to be. And I work so much there seems less time to work out. Ideally I weight train 5 days a week, most days with cardio in the morning and evening for 25 minutes. A low carb diet is important. No sugar. Fat burning pills also raise my metabolism. Even when I'm at my best I always feel I should be better. I am working on being more satisfied even when I'm not where I'd like to be, its just my personality to want more... MB: How do you manage to keep work life separate from home life considering that both and your partner work in the same industry ? SC: Being in a relationship hasn't changed much for me, except its given my life more structure and support which I need. I'm always sexually adventurous but now I get that at work. I had stopped hooking up for fun anyway, I was bored with most casual hookups right before I met Bruno. Very timely. I don't get jealous and its a good thing because I'm always filming my boyfriend fucking someone elseLOL! I have the best of both worlds. MB: Excluding acting, which other talents you have used to keep your fame levels as high as they are? SC: Talent? Am I talented? LOL. I guess I have a talent for being a personality... and I can write. I also use my art education with my websites and blogs. I
do my own graphics, I was a graphic designer for 10 years before I got into porn. I guess it all adds up... I won best website at the Grabby's. I feel that was more reflective of my true inner talent than any of the other awards. MB: I noticed your passion for art extends to your tattoos. Our readers would love to know which is your favourite physical attribute - and why is it so ? SC: Thats a hard question to answer. I work what works for me, but I prefer the attributes of others. I know from what fans write they like my smile and my ass, but most of all my hairy chest. MB: How do you maintain balance in your life; from acting, doing personal appearances and managing home life and a relationship without work getting in the way? SC: I roll with it and I do what I can. Eventually I'll have to slow down, no one can keep this pace forever... but I'm on a really big wave, no one jumps off the really big wave- you struggle to keep the balance and ride it in to the shore. Most of all you don't look down. MB: Finally Steve, what are your future plans? SC: The launch of my website www.hardfriction.com late in the year. The release of Hard Friction the DVD on Raging Stallion Releasing next week. A trip to Australia to promote safer sex and look for new talent...and hopefully lots of directing in 2010!
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Hunk alert! Its Zeb Atlas. Images: Vin Marco
Š Manifest Media 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009 Zeb Atlas is one of the hottest bodybuilder and professional models out there. His amazing hard body will definitely get your juices flowing. If you don’t know Zeb, not only he is super hot but he’s been in many bodybuilder magazines and even a guest appearances in Gay Pride events around the world. Zeb is an influence to many of the gay bodybuilder and muscle fans. He just doesn’t stop making us wanting him more as these pictures show. But if this isn’t enough Zeb Atlas for you, then his website is equally amazing. The site has publicity, portfolio, videos, live cam (including a countdown which shows on the main page when the next show will be), diaries, and more. You can also check out some of Zeb’s old pictures. Yes, we are big fans. Check out more pictures at www.manifestmen.com
© Manifest Media 2009
Š Manifest Media 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
Š Manifest Media 2009
MIRRORBALLS - November 2009
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