OMC: In your opinion, how will mainstream music change in the next decade?

CP: I think that mainstream music may just go on like it is. It's pretty wrapped up actually. I think that the fringes are the places that are going to see the change. I also think that perhaps we'll finally see some effective means of utilizing the internet technology. Bands like Wilco already have made use of the Internet in a really positive way for the band and their fans. I personally hope to see a lot of smaller labels find a way to reach an audience that are just waiting for something good.

OMC: What bands did you like when you lived in Milwaukee?

CP: Ah, an easy one. I loved The Wigs, Pat McCurdy's various incarnations (Mankind, Men About Town, The Confidentials), The Squares, Mrs. Fun, Mighty Deer Lick, Paul Cebar, John Kruth, that guy named Ward was cool, and of course, The Violent Femmes and The BoDeans. I think there were others but those are the ones that I'd go out and see a lot.

OMC: Any Milwaukee bands you are still into today?

CP: Sure -- there's still the brilliant Paul Cebar and Mrs. Fun. I love the factions that split off from The Squares (The Yell Leaders and The Wooldridge Brothers but I don't think they're still in town). There's a band called Childhood that I think needs a break cause they write really catchy, cool songs. I try to stay dialed in as much as I can and when I come home swoop through the record stores looking for new Milwaukee and Wisconsin stuff.

OMC: Could you do your job from Milwaukee?

CP: Well, now that I'm building this business on my own, I'm hoping to do just that. I don't know how long it will take to get things to the point where I can leave L.A. -- I just bought a house last year -- but it's a goal.

OMC: Why did you decide to leave EMI?

CP: They left me. There were massive lay-offs and I think I finally bubbled up above the visibility line where they let you go.

OMC: Any regrets?

CP: Not at all . I'm hoping that in the long run, it will prove to be one of the best catalysts for my career. I was burning out, very frustrated and tired. I didn't have the energy to implement ideas that I've been kicking around for years. To try to start my own business with the responsibilities and frustrations of that environment was simply too much and my inability to see a way out was making me miserable -- so it was time.

OMC: How did you come up with the name "Filthy Mouth Music?"

CP: I wrote a really weird and terrible song a long time ago and it had a line in it about someone with a filthy mouth. I pulled the line and chucked the song and used Filthy Mouth Music as my publishing company name. Since essentially with the film and television representation, I'm still a consultant of sorts, I decided to use the name for the film and TV venture.

OMC: Does the music industry anger you, or do you accept it for what it is?

CP: The music industry makes me sad actually. I've always understood the music business to have been founded by thieves and criminals so the usual "what goes on" doesn't surprise me -- the ugliness has just gone from being renegade and crazy to corporate. It makes me sad that there is so much tremendous artistry and artists with no where to go, but with an audience that would love to hear them. It makes me sad that music is being sold like soap. I understand that this is a business, but all music and all artists are different, therefore the product/commodity is different, that's what makes our business interesting, challenging and exciting. To make it all the same takes what's most important about the music away. That's when you lose the relationship of the fan to the music.

OMC: What does Milwaukee have that L.A. doesn't?

CP: Another easy one: 1) The Great Green Bay Packers Ladies & Gentlemen. 2) weather. 3) nice people. 4) old buildings instead of mini malls and parking lots. 5) parks. 6) a lake. 7) peace and quiet. 8) the ability to drive out of town 20 minutes and pet a cow with no one around. 9) a lot of musical people just cause it's part of their family. 10) really good beer at a reasonable price.

OMC: How did you get into making children's albums?

CP: When my friend and I disbanded our band, we wanted to keep performing. At the same time, I was working at EMI-Capitol Special Markets and noticed that our catalog only had children's recordings from the '50's that were no longer entertaining nor relevant to kids. I suggested that we might make some kids records to update our catalog. The powers that be said yes and we were off to the studio.

OMC: How is making music for kids different than for adults?

CP: It's not really. Kids are just little people. Kind of into the same things. It may be slightly less sophisticated musically and lyrically so they can understand but certainly not vocally. Kids respond really well to lots of vocals and harmonies. I think that's why The Beach Boys stuff is always good for kids. They start bouncing around right away. Oh yeah, so do the adults.

OMC: Anything else you'd like to say to Milwaukee?

CP: To the whole entire city? Well, first of all, go out and brave the weather and support your local musicians. They need it and you'll have a good time. Second, will someone please save me a seat sometime at Lambeau? It's hard for an out of town kid to find a ticket! See you at the holidays!