Editor’s Note: CLICK HERE to read Mitch Feingold’s response to Deez’s comments. [added Mar. 12, 2010]

Rob Deez

When I first saw Rob perform…I didn’t particularly like his act. Mainly because of the overuse (imo) of the “f” word. But each time I saw him, I got a little more into what he was doing. I started noticing how he was using words in general. Now I’m thinking that Rob might well be genetically related to Lenny Bruce, George Carlin and Pee Wee Herman!

A few years ago, I was watching Rob’s act at a Hot Java Cafe show. He started performing one of my favorite Deez-ities, Jesus Burger. Turns out there was a devout and adamant PETA member in the audience…she proceeded to stop the show to berate Rob, ranting loud and proud. After the rest of us grew tired of the woman, HJC’s staff finally asked her to leave. Through all this, Rob held his cool, calmly withstanding her assaults without antagonizing or making fun of the woman. I was very impressed with his patience and restraint under fire.

Disclaimer (kinda): Rob comments on getting shut out of a certain show, naming names. As MyWeek editor, I had considered rewording and removing the name (with Rob’s ok, of course.) The more I’ve thought about it, the more I feel the reputation of the magazine as being non-invasive and as free of censorship as possible, is far more important than trying to avoid controversy. Of course, the person involved is invited to respond and have his say.

1. When you decided to study nursing, did you think it was something else?

No..I knew exactly what I was getting myself into. I’ve worked at Mercy Hospital for almost 6 years now & I’ve worked in just about every department in the hospital. ER, ICU, Cardiology, Radiology, Nuclear Medicine, OR/ASC, Floors, even BHU…so I’ve seen a lot.

2. What attracted you to that end of nursing?

That end of nursing? You mean, the rear end? : ) My first 2 years at the hospital I spent stocking supplies. Back then I had no interest in being a nurse. Needles freaked me out, plus seeing how stressed out a lot of the nurses were didn’t really sell me on the idea. But when I got my 1st patient care job in Endoscopy things started to change, the keywords being “Outpatient Procedures”.

Basically the patient comes, we do the procedure, then the patient leaves…(I might add they generally leave happy because A.)the procedure wasn’t nearly as bad as they thought it was gonna be, & B.)they’re a little sedated.). There’s a huge difference between outpatients, & inpatients. Inpatients need to be cared for around the clock, they’re are more needy, and usually they aren’t in the hospital by choice, more by necessity.

But I think the ultimate reason I decided to get into nursing is because I found myself teaching nurses how to use some of the instruments that they should’ve been teaching me how to use.

I took an interest in being involved in certain, more complex procedures because I found some of those procedures to be exciting…or to put it in my terms…FREAKING AWESOME!! . Because of that I ended up having en edge over several of the nurses in my department. I figured I’m over here doing twice as much work but only making half as much bread, I might as well go to school for a little while & increase the amount of bread in my basket…& by “basket” I mean “checking account”. So I knocked out my pre-reqs & got on a wait list. Now it’s a race to see what happens first, Rock Star, or Endoscopy nurse…I’m leaning towards Rock Star…

3. Your rhymes can be pretty “adult” at times, how does that affect your ability to play some venues?

Well I’d say it doesn’t really affect my ability to play at any venues. I’ve played many friendly family venues, ranging from churches, to the Del Mar Fair. I’ve got more then enough family friendly songs, & on top of that I’m also capable of editing lyrics on the fly. Testicle becomes Tennis shoe, Man Meat becomes Fried Zucchini…so on & so forth.

Some people, Mitch Feingold for example, seem to think that I wouldn’t be appropriate because of the songs I have on my MySpace page. But what’s that old saying? Don’t judge a book by it’s cover? Mitch is missing out by assuming I wouldn’t be appropriate. I’m so appropriate it’s ridiculous. As a matter of fact, if you rearrange the letters in “appropriate” you get “irate pop rap” & that’s a pretty accurate description of my music…

4. How did you start musically…hip hop right away or playing guitar. singing, etc.?

Well…I got a guitar in 7th grade, & taught myself how to play it. Back then I was influenced by Nirvana, Offspring, Blink 182. I learned how to play a few chords when I started learning Sublime songs. I stared “rapping” shortly after high school. Just goofing off with friends in the garage. I was also doing a lot of theatre/musicals at the time & fell in love with being on stage.

After a while I felt like my rapping was getting decent & I wanted to take it beyond my garage. The only thing holding me back was a lack of beats. In my garage I was rapping to the beats on my keyboard & that’s fine & dandy but I didn’t want to use those beats in public because they aren’t my own. Seemed like the only solution until a producer came along, would be rapping over my guitar. Seemed kinda silly in my head, but the crowds at the open mics seemed to dig it, so I didn’t stop. That was about 4 years ago.

5. What would your dream gig be?

I’d say my dream gig would be hosting SNL. That’s definitely on my to do list. I’m thinking it’ll happen. Just gotta get discovered first. But while we’re talking about dream gigs I’m gonna take it a step further. My dream gig would be a full set in a zero gravity room, packed full of friends & all around awesome people, sponsored by Phil’s BBQ, & Mickey’s 40oz beverages, & afterward, there would be a Playboy mansion style pool party, followed by a pajama party sleepover, & everyone would get some action. Booyah.

6. Why did you switch from steel-string to nylon? Is nylon hipper?

The steel string guitar I used to play had been through a lot & it’s action was terrible. It hurt to play. The only reason I used it was because it was the only acoustic guitar I had with a built in pick up. When I practiced at home I would use my roommate’s nylon string guitar because it treated my fingers with respect.

After a while I stopped using a pick altogether & eventually noticed the way I was playing on the nylon strings had a much different vibe then the stuff I was playing on the steel strings. Since I was crafting my songs at home on the nylon it seemed logical to play a nylon at my shows, so I picked up a classical guitar with a built in pick up & boom!!

7. Is there anyone else doing acoustic hip hop…do you think you have any competition?

I wouldn’t say that I have any competition. Music isn’t a contest, unless of course it’s a singer-song writer competition…In which case I’ve already tied for 1st place. I’m kind of caught between two different worlds. I’m not quite a singer-song writer, & I’m not quite a rapper, I exist somewhere else, somewhere in the shadows, between between light & dark…I exist in…the twilight zone.
& also
http://www.twitter.com/robertdeez
http://www.facebook.com/robdeez
http://www.reverbnation.com/robdeez
http://www.myspace.com/robdeez & even http://www.robdeez.com