I've been hooked on sharks since, well, forever. Since waaaaaay back before I even paid attention to things like sports and swimsuit issues, and the color of Kathy Ireland's eyes. And so, I'm rather thrilled to report that in early August, I'm headin' on an adventure of a lifetime: Dean Karr's Rock n Roll Great White Shark Expedition. Though his name may not ring a bell, anyone watching MTV during the golden era of rock music videos has seen the director's work. Dean Karr stamped the scene with the hit video for Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams," and filmed four videos for Dave Matthews, among many other stars. And with this, his 8th annual expedition, and a forthcoming book of shark photos, it appears the man is every bit as hooked.
"Soundtrack to the Apocalypse"
This is surely the only such trip in the world promising heavy metal music... underwater. As if seeing 18-foot sharks slashing past the cage isn't enough to rattle one's nerves, the submersible speakers will be pumping Slayer, Ministry, Maiden and Priest in your ear. "Strictly the soundtrack to the apocalypse," he wrote me. "Someone put Bob Marley on once and I freaked out. I popped out of the top of the cage cussing." The man sounds like he'll make quite a character. As will the others on the boat, a sixteen person roster that includes reality show villain, Lacey (from Rock of Love), and guitarist, Danny Lohner (NIN).
In May, I pitched the story to a magazine editor over a beer in NY, and while the magazine is being "very stingy" with assignments given the "new budget realities," (read: you're a nobody), he encouraged me to write something on spec as "the potential for greatness is definitely there." And so, in just under three weeks, I'm off to Mexico in search of sharks, Slayer, and a great white adventure story.
A piece about the trip from SWINDLE.
posted by Scott Keneally @ 11:23 PM