The Halloween is Forever podcast crew interviews continue with the third, and final, member of the crew. Now that I think about it, I should have posted Meg's interview last so she could be the final girl.
Please introduce yourself to the readers.
I’m Steve 1/3rd of the Halloween is Forever Podcast. I also host a craft beer
podcast called Hop Nation USA where I met my Halloween is Forever co-hosts Meg
and Brian. I’m an audio, video, and writing freelancer by trade. It’s possible
you’ve listened to a podcast or seen an ad I’ve edited.
What was Halloween like for you as a kid?
Growing up in the rural outskirts of Pittsburgh, neighbors’ houses were real
trudges to get to. Not to sound like an old cliche, but there were a lot of
uphill climbs or my mom would drive me around. A lot of the time we’d wind up
Trick or Treating at malls or in the nicer suburb my grandparents lived in.
More houses, bigger candy bars.
Do you have any standout memories?
One year my grandparents took me to a haunted house that was way too much for
me at the time. I was only 9 or 10 probably and it was full of dismembered
bodies and every monster I can think of. It actually was a few mini houses
including walking through a crashed school bus with people in the seats who’d
jump at you. It was called Phantoms of the Park, but is now defunct. The
Hundred Acres Manor opened where it used to be.
What about favorite costumes?
I had a pretty sick Donatello costume in the 90s, ninja turtle not the artist.
In my 20s I learned to incorporate drinking into my costumes. One year I went
as a Dr. Krieger from Archer and carried a jar that looked like a science
experiment gone wrong. It was really spiked apple cider, some other fruit and
food dye.
How do you celebrate these days?
I’m pretty low key now, but a friend usually throws a pretty big Halloween
party which is fun to go.
Do you have any yearly rituals?
I’m horror movies and heavy metal 365, so it’s hard to develop those rituals
when it could also be Tuesday. I do recall seeing GWAR one Halloween; that was
pretty special. Warm apple cider and the occasional pumpkin beer are probably
the only things I reserve for spooky season.
What is it about Halloween that sticks with us after childhood?
It’s much more of a “let loose” holiday than Thanksgiving and Christmas. The
other two people will overeat and drink too much, but a lot of it is coping
with family and holiday stress. Halloween there is no cope. It’s all fun for
the sake of fun, so you get to overeat, over drink, play out your fantasies of
characters you wish you could be. You can be generous in giving out candy with
zero expectation of return. You can ignore the things we’re really supposed to
be afraid of for some cheap thrills from ghosts and monsters.
Inside the Spookster's Studio
The worst thing to get while trick or treating was
anything not candy.
My favorite thing to get was Nerds,
Mallo Cups or 5th Avenue bars. I think those last two are really regional
candy too. I don’t know I’ve ever seen them outside of PA.
My favorite monster cereal is Count
Chocula
Where can people find you online?
Again, a monster-sized thanks to the Halloween is Forever crew for taking part in this year's interviews. Give their show a listen, it's a really fun time!
Be sure to click below to see all the Countdown Cryptkeepers!