Interview with Grant Baciocco
Former Jungle Skipper
Lead Singer for Throwing Toasters

JGR:    If you checked out our Jungle Juke Box the past two months, you've witnessed a small portion of the comedic genius from this months Feature Interview: Grant Baciocco. First of all, Grant, thanks for doing this!
GB:    It's my pleasure actually. I just hope my spelling is good enough.
JGR:    Let's talk about your 'Tour of Duty' - when were you a Skipper?
GB:    I took my first official tour on May 20th 1993 (my birthday) and I worked there till Feb. 95
JGR:    You're also the first California Skipper we've interviewed. Have you been to WDW in Orlando?
GB:    Yes I have. I went Summer of '88 I believe. Long before I was a skipper.
JGR:    Any interesting notes of comparison?
GB:    Well, I don't remember much from my Jungle Trip at WDW, but I do remember that you actually went inside the ruins (where the monkeys are looking through the treasure) and I always thought that was cool. When they revamped Jungle here (for Indiana Jones) I was hoping they'd do that same kind of thing, but they didn't.
JGR:    The Cambodian Ruins - one of my favorite parts (cause it's cool in there, even in August).
GB:    I can see how that'd be a plus.
JGR:    Did you work any other attractions at Disneyland?
GB:    Yeah. Haunted Mansion, Tiki Room, Big Thunder Railroad, Splash Mountain and more Guest Control than you can shake a stick at.
JGR:    Oh, wow - so you were an all around Disney Nut!
GB:    On the west side of the park, yes I was.
JGR:    Tell us your favorite Jungle Cruise story.
GB:    Hmmm...let me think... One of my fondest memories was one summer night when I went out in the maintenance skiff with my lead and we were just out goofing around. I had never driven a prop boat before so he let me. Well, all of a sudden my buddy Dougg came up behind us in his Jungle Boat and started chasing us, the whole time telling his crew  we were 'Hippo Poachers'. I was the worst driver and sent us up onto the rocks many times trying to get away from him and came close to sinking us at the waterfall. Luckily we were able to escape after my lead took control.
JGR:    We do a lot of research here at JGR for various articles and have discovered that in Disneyland the skippers are well known for practical jokes. What is the best one you pulled, and where any pulled on you?
GB:    I was lucky never to fall victim to any, but I did help pull off a few, we'd shower new JC Skippers with a bucket of water from on top of the falls now and then. Mainly though, my pal Dougg and I would just goof off in the Jungle.
JGR:    What is your most embarrassing Jungle Moment?
GB:    Oh man, it was the worst...my second day of training, my trainer rigged up the lights that tell us when it's safe to proceed so that they said it wasn't. Well, I didn't check the lights and went right on through. If it had been real I would have derailed.He made me tell my entire crew what I just did. Not necessarily exciting, but defiantly embarrassing.
JGR:    Doh!
GB:    You said it!
JGR:    What have you been doing since you left the Jungle, career-wise?
GB:    Well, I've been mostly teaching to support myself. I started with summer theater camps, and now I'm actually substitute teaching. I've been acting too. I got my Degree in theater from Cal State Long Beach. And I've found a sort of minor success in Stand Up Comedy doing my comedy songs.
JGR:    Any movies we should look for you in?
GB:    Ha! Umm, well, I worked as an extra on Armageddon and you may be able to catch a glimpse of me standing next to the wedding party at the end of the movie, but I wouldn't put money on it.
JGR:    About your singing - how long have you been singing, and did you ever sing to your crews at Jungle?
GB:    I never sang full out. I'd say there were musical moments on my tours. I relied more on acting there. I've been singing since I was a bitty boy!
JGR:    Tell us about 'Throwing Toasters.'
GB:    Throwing Toasters is my band. We play "comedy music" for lack of a better term. Sort of in the style of "Weird Al" and Adam Sandler. But  completely different from either of those two.
JGR:    Where did the name come from?
GB:    The name actually came from my college years when I was a Resident Assistant in the dorms at Long Beach. Another Resident Assistant was having trouble with two roommates in his building and our boss asked how bad it was. He said, "Well, it's not so bad that they are Throwing Toasters yet, but it's bad." I just thought that was a great name for my band which needed a new name. Our old name, funnily enough, was Head Hunter Country, named after my Jungle Experiences, but we changed it because it gave people the wrong ideas of what we were about. Have to be politically correct.
JGR:    We've featured two of your 'Disney-style' remakes here at JGR. What other areas do you make fun of - er, focus on?
GB:    Um...anything I think is funny. I've written about Pro Wrestling, Cows, Virtual Pets (which is one of my songs that was featured on the Dr. Demento National Radio Show) and lots of other things. A lot of weird love songs.
JGR:    Do you have an album available?
GB:    We have a four song tape available (though mail order at our website) and we are currently recording stuff for our first major CD release.
JGR:    Do you have a scheduled date for the CD?
GB:    Well, it all has to do with when we get it done. It's my firm stance that it'll be out before the end of the year, but I'm shooting for September myself.
JGR:    Where can folks go to see you?
GB:    Well, for the time being mostly in Southern California. I'll be at the "World Famous" Ice House in Pasadena on July 19th @ 7:30pm. We also play a bunch of other places, but it's usually up in the air from day to day. There's a Tour Dates section of our web site that I always updated when I have new info.
JGR:    Give us your website URL.
GB:    It's http://www.throwingtoasters.com .  And ANYONE can get in touch with me at ThroToastr@aol.com.
JGR:    Any last comments; words of advice to budding young skippers, etc?
GB:    Ummm....my advise for young skippers is Say whatever you want, as long as you don't offend anyone. And of course, don't EVER get caught.
JGR:    Grant, thanks again - you've been a great interviewee.  We've enjoyed having you...
GB:    Well thank YOU.  I enjoyed being had (sorry, those old jokes still linger)!
JGR:    Ha! You can take a skipper out of the jungle...
GB:    I hear ya!

If you or someone you know is a Present or Former Skipper who would be a great (or heck, even marginally interesting) Feature Interview, let us know!