kotdm - Particle Don

October 8, 2016January 17, 2019

Todd McKenzie Interview

I met Todd McKenzie along with his brother Drew at King of the Deathmatches 2015!

Todd’s Facebook page

Particle Don: Hi Todd! I can’t wait to find out more about your band 80’s Bush and your resturaunt Chix. It was great seeing you at King of the Deathmatches! I always use the 80’s Bush koozie you gave me! How did the concept for 80’s Bush originate?

Todd: I remember seeing Paul Stanley on the Kiss Animalize Live video from 1984. From then on, I wanted to be a rock star. Life didn’t really pan out for me to chase that goal.

I met a friend in 2008 who shared my interest in hair metal, so we started formulating a plan to start a band. In 2014, we found 2 other members ready to make a go at it. It’s been a total blast ever since.

Particle Don: Where can we see you play live?

Todd: Currently, we are playing around Central Illinois. We have played a few summer festivals and are hoping to break into the Chicago and suburban market.

Particle Don: Are there any plans for a studio recording?

Todd: That is also a goal. I doubt we are going to try and record an entire full length LP. We do have groundwork set for a few tracks. We are excited to spend some time in a studio and get some songs out there in iTunes!

Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite 80’s bands?

Todd: Kiss, Motley Crue, and Ratt. I’m also a huge fan of Winger (they get a bad rap in the music world…great, great musicians).

Particle Don: Do you know of any “rare hair” bands from the 80’s you think people should check out?

Todd: I’m getting a chance to see one of them this weekend: Babylon AD. I also strongly suggest checking out Wildside (though technically their album came out in the 90’s) and also Spread Eagle. All great, rockin’ acts!

Particle Don: What are a few other genres of music you enjoy besides 80’s rock?

Todd: Genres? Really none. I’m a huge fan of the Stones, Led Zeppelin, and ZZ Top.

Particle Don: Are you aware of Major League Eating professional eater Joey Chesnut’s new record of 70 hot dogs eaten? How many wings do you think he could eat at Chix Restaurant?

Todd: Great question! I hope Joey Chestnut never comes to Chix! LOL. I can’t imagine how many wings that guy could down. We had a high school kid eat close to 70 wings in one sitting. I would imagine Joey could eat 200?!?

Particle Don: What would you recommend to someone who is new to Chix Restaurant?

Todd: The Boneless Wings and the Chicken Tenders are hugely popular. We also serve a Pot Roast Bowl (smashed potatoes, pot roast, carrots, and gravy all mixed together). Just plan for a nap afterwards!

If you’re ever near Streator, IL, make sure to eat at Chix!

Particle Don: How long have you been watching wrestling?

Todd: I started watching wrestling in 1978. I was 5 or 6 years old. My earliest memory is Cowboy Bob Orton piledriving Greg Gagne on the concrete floor during an episode of AWA Wrestling.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite classic-era wrestler?

Todd: Ric Flair, Dynamite Kid, and Bruiser Brody are just a few that come to mind. But, I’m a huge fan of many different styles and territories. I could write all day about the classic era.

Particle Don: Who is your current favorite wrestler?

Todd: Currently, Chris Hero. He can work any style, any opponent, any crowd. It will be a travesty if this guy doesn’t get a huge pay day from some promotion at some point. He’s too good to not be seen by the masses. In WWE, I go out of my way to watch AJ Styles matches. In NJPW, I enjoy Kenny Omega and am really starting to like Shibata.

Particle Don: When did you see your first deathmatch?

Todd: On tape it was 1993. Funk vs. Onita, exploding ring match from FMW.

My first time live was in 1997. I drove 300 miles one way to go see the first IWA King of the Deathmatches in New Albany. From then on, I’ve been hooked on the style.

Particle Don: Incredible. You witnessed the first ever American deathmatch tournament live. What was your first live wrestling show in general?

Todd: I don’t recall who or when, but I know it was an AWA show at the Richwoods High School in Peoria, Illinois.

Particle Don: Do you have any notable memories from this year’s King of the Deathmatches?

Todd: I thought this year’s show really upped the ante on the violence. It was the most violent spectacle I have seen in my 19 years of going to Deathmatch wrestling shows.

Two bumps from the Suicidal Beast in the first round are really what I remember most. The guy took an incredible amount of punishment.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite piece of wrestling merchandise?

Todd: My Wrestling Observer collection (I’ve been a subscriber since 1986) and probably my autographed “Jim Cornette and the Midnight Express” wrestling scrapbook.

Particle Don: What is your favorite sports team?

Todd: I’m a New York Mets fan since 1983. I also follow the New York Knicks and the Oklahoma Sooners.

Particle Don: Are there any other hobbies you enjoy besides rocking out with 80’s Bush and going to wrestling shows?

Todd: I have been recently working on a tabletop wrestling game to get published at some point. I also was an avid fantasy sports player, but have taken a hiatus on that as of late.

Particle Don: What a great concept. I hope your tabletop game becomes a reality! Where did you hear about Particle Don?

Todd: I saw you perform live at KOTDM 2014. I’ve been a fan of your music since and also got to speak with you at KOTDM 2015 and immediately liked you.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite Particle Don song?

Todd: Without question, Oklahoma Stampede from Volume 3. I also liked Always Makin’ Big Waves from Volume 3. I’m a fan of Bleed for a Living (Danny Havoc theme) also.

Particle Don: Who should I write a song about?

Todd: I think you should write a song about Jim Cornette and perhaps it could get used as an opening on his podcast.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite candy?

Todd: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, without a doubt.

Particle Don: What’s your favorite food?

Todd: Pizza. I could eat it 7 days a week. I owned a pizza restaurant from 2006-2009. I think I did eat it 7 days a week!!

Particle Don: What is your preferred beverage?

Todd: Pepsi from the fountain or a cold Michelob Ultra.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite 80’s TV show or cartoon?

Todd: I was never into cartoons much. My favorite TV show from the 80’s would probably be Different Strokes. As I got older, I really liked Cheers.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite 90’s TV show or cartoon?

Todd: Seinfeld. No question.

Particle Don: Do you watch Ancient Aliens? What’s your opinion of the Ancient Astronaut theory?

Todd: Never heard of it.

Particle Don: Do you watch South Park? What’s your favorite episode?

Todd: I’m not into cartoons. I’ve only seen 1 or 2 episodes.

Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite movies?

Todd: Planes, Trains and Automobiles is my favorite film. I’m also a fan of the original Batman movie from 1966.

Particle Don: Is there anything else you’d like to say?

Todd: The few times we’ve met, I really enjoyed talking with you. I look forward to seeing you at future wrestling events and I hope that you continue writing and creating music. You have a great talent.

I wish Todd the best with his band and restaurant!

August 27, 2016January 17, 2019

Deadly Dale Interview

Deadly Dale with Death Match Russell — Deadly Dale poses with David Russell at King of the Deathmatches 2016. Photo by Drew Chaos.

Twitter: @DeadlyDale

Facebook: RealDeadlyDale

Instagram: @DeadlyDale187

YouTube: DeadlyDale

Particle Don: What got you into wrestling? Did you watch growing up?

Deadly Dale: Oh yeah. I’ve watched for as far back as I can remember. I got into it by watching as a small child.

Particle Don: As a kid, who was your favorite wrestler?

Deadly Dale: The Hulkster, brother!!! In that era he was every kid’s favorite. Kinda like how John Cena is to the real young kids these days. When I became a teenager, my favorites were Razor Ramon and Shawn Michaels. I guess you could say the whole Kliq was my favorite before I even knew there was a Kliq. Scott Hall is my favorite wrestler of all time.

Particle Don: When did you decide to become a professional wrestler?

Deadly Dale: Right after high school. I really didn’t think it was something that was even an option. It just kinda happened to me. A buddy of mine from school told me he was training at a local town. I used to talk wrestling with him, and he showed me my first dirt sheet.I got the sheets through a school email address on a DOS computer.

Once he told me he was training, I instantly knew I wanted in. I started going to the shows and helping clean up. I’d also set up the ring and do other various tasks. Eventually, I was able to train. That buddy ended up being a long time tag partner and friend now known as Idolbane.

Particle Don: Where did you train for wrestling?

Deadly Dale: In the North East Arkansas region were I am from. I initially trained under a guy named Grizzly Gipson. A year or so after that I trained with “The Ebony Idol” Reggie Montgomery and Max Mayhem. They’re all some real old school dudes.

Particle Don: Did you always know you wanted to get into deathmatches, or was this something you decided later on?

Deadly Dale: I always liked doing hardcore matches and street fights. I was a local yokel for a lot of years and there wasn’t a death match scene anywhere close to my area. I started deathmatches when I finally began to travel.

Particle Don: What was your first deathmatch?

Deadly Dale: I was part of a group called known as Social Deviants for years, which consisted of me, Idolbane, Cody Only and Uncle Filthy. We would do these 6 man matches we called LSD Deathmatches. They were more like really extreme hardcore matches rather than actual deathmatches. There were never any special stipulations or anything, but for our area, it was the craziest shit anyone ever saw.

A couple of years ago, I got the opportunity to work for JCW on the road for The Gathering tour at Pop’s in Sauget, Illinois. I thought I was going to be in a battle royale, but things changed and battle royale was removed from the card. I ended up getting to main event with The Necro Butcher in a deathmatch. The experience blew my mind. It’s one of the highlights of my career.

Particle Don: What’s your favorite deathmatch weapon?

Deadly Dale: I like the bizarre shit that fans bring, things like blow-up dolls crucified on light tube crosses.

Particle Don: Do you have a least favorite deathmatch weapon?

Deadly Dale: Hot sauce sucks when it gets in your eyes.

Particle Don: Is there a story behind the name “Deadly Dale”?

Deadly Dale: Yeah, I was struggling to find a cool name that I liked. I went through a few. My very first name was Black Sunshine. Then I became Deadly D. I got the idea from Violent J’s name. It somehow just evolved into Deadly Dale.

Particle Don: What deathmatch tournaments have you been in?

Deadly Dale: My first one was for a promotion called Evolution Pro. The show was called Hardcore Harvest. That was in 2013. My next tournament was Prince of the Deathmatches, and then King of the Deathmatches.

Particle Don: How did you get into this year’s King of the Deathmatches?

Deadly Dale: I was invited to do Prince of the Deathmatches and made in to the finals, where I lost to Joseph Schwartz. After the match, the fans chanted “Put them both in!” They were referring to King, because the winner of Prince gets to go on to King. Ian Rotten came out and announced I would also be going to King of the Deathmatches. Earning the respect of the IWA Mid-South fans and crew was one of the best feelings in my life.

Click the image to purchase Prince of the Deathmatches 2016 in MP4 format.

Particle Don: You had an excellent showing this year at KOTDM. What are your thoughts on the match?

Deadly Dale: Thank you. I loved it, I just wish I would’ve advanced. At least the new king, John Wayne Murdoch, was the one who eliminated me. Hopefully I’ll be invited back next year so I can take home the crown!

Particle Don: I brought the Cotton Candy Faygo that you found in the ring at King of the Deathmatches. Unfortunately, it didn’t make the DVD footage, but you cracked open the Faygo and took a huge sip. This seemed to rejuvenate you and give you a second wind during the match. What went through your head when you saw the Faygo in the ring? Were you surprised the flavor was Cotton Candy?

Deadly Dale: Haha, yeah man, I looked down through all the blood in my eyes, and laying amongst all the plunder and shards of broken glass I could see the neon glow of the blue Faygo. I didn’t hesitate to pick it up and crack it open. I did sniff it first just in case some sick fuck poured gasoline in it or something, lol. As soon as I sniffed it I got that unmistakable whiff of cotton candy, so I preceded to chug. If it was any other soda I probably would not have picked it up, but I had to show my Faygo love!

Particle Don: What’s your favorite flavor of Faygo?

Deadly Dale: Red Pop.

Have you ever had a Redpop Slurpee?

Particle Don: Who are a few people you’d like to wrestle that you haven’t already?

Deadly Dale: Off the top of my head I’d say Sabu and X-Pac. I’m drawing a blank trying to think of matches that could realistically happen someday. There is a ton of talent out there that aren’t “big names”. I want to wrestle everybody.

Particle Don: What’s your finishing move? Why did you choose it?

Deadly Dale: I really don’t have one specific finisher. It all depends on my opponent and the situation we’re in. The power bomb is my favorite move. I use it a lot.

Particle Don: Do you have any non-wrestling hobbies? If so, what are they?

Deadly Dale: I like to relax with a good video game. I enjoy reading comics. I consider myself an artist, too. I also study a lot of conspiracy and paranormal type shit. I collect oddities. I’m very diverse and weird.

Check out Jeff Galewood’s artwork at TheCementHead.com.

Particle Don: What are a few of your favorite bands?

Deadly Dale: There’s so many. I love music and have a very broad spectrum. I’ll name a few, but there are probably hundreds that I could list. I listen to Wu-Tang Clan, Rancid, Sublime, Rage Against the Machine, ICP, Nirvana, NWA, and Hank 3. The list goes on and on.

Particle Don: What’s your favorite ICP CD?

Deadly Dale: That’s a tough one. I’ll go with The Great Milenko, because that was the first one I ever heard. I had it on a purple cassette tape.

The Great Milenko was released in 1997.

Particle Don: What Juggalo Gatherings have you been to?

Deadly Dale: Just one so far. Gathering 2016. I wrestled at the Odd Ball Brawl in the bloody royale match.

Particle Don: Do you have any funny Gathering stories you’d like to share?

Deadly Dale: Not one in particular that stands out, but the whole weekend was a blast.

Particle Don: Have you ever heard of Particle Don before this interview?

Deadly Dale: No, but I briefly got to look at your site. I read the meaning of your name and I love it.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite classic WWF entrance theme?

Deadly Dale: This might not count as classic WWF, but my favorite wrestling theme is the nWo song.

Particle Don: Do you watch WWE? If so, who are your favorite current wrestlers?

Deadly Dale: Yes I do. My favorites are The Wyatt Family.

The Wyatt Family

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite 90’s cartoon?

Deadly Dale: There are so many good ones to choose from. I’ll go with Ren and Stimpy.

Particle Don: What’s your favorite TV show?

Deadly Dale: I don’t watch much TV but I’d say The Walking Dead. I’m a big fan of the comic.

Particle Don: Do you have a favorite movie?

Deadly Dale: Not one in particular, but I really enjoy The Devil’s Rejects.

Particle Don: Where can fans buy your merch online?

Deadly Dale: You can find my merchandise at ProWrestlingTees.com/DeadlyDale. As soon as I sell a few more, I can release some new designs.

Particle Don: Is there anything you’d like to shout out or plug?

Deadly Dale: Thank you to anyone who is a Deadly Dale fan! Check out my social media pages.