Cullen: So how did you find your way into the Theatre Department? Dermot: I did this little two-person play on the side, and one of the key acting teachers at school came up to me that night and said: " Whose acting class are you in next year?" And that was it; I got to jump right in! It took me all the way to the end of my senior year and the senior showcase. I had the first scene from " Fool for Love " by Sam Shepard all worked up. At any rate, William Morris Agent, Barbara Gayle was there, auditioning graduating seniors for representation in Hollywood. And she signed me.
Cullen: Damn! Now that is a movie!! Or maybe just the dream of every actor ever!( laughter) Seriously, really pretty incredible by itself, but when you add in that within just a few short years you went from doing a scene written by Sam Shepard to playing his son in Bright Angel is kind of epic!! To boot, you’ ve worked with him a number of times. Incredible. So, they sign you, and then you land your first job? Dermot: Yes, Sam Shepard is the man! I truly love working with him. At any rate, I drove cross-country with my brother, Kieran and arrived late August ' 85. I auditioned like crazy through the Fall- In those waiting rooms were Patrick Dempsey, Jason Gedrick, Billy Baldwin. I ' d see Modine, Spader... wanting to be them because they were already established. In late December I was cast to start January 3rd, 1 986 on a TV movie, " Sin of Innocence," lead teen. That ' s what I ' d been scouted for because there was a commerce right then in teen leading men. It was the first time in history where there was a bonanza; there was a run on us. There hasn ' t been one since, really. It was a crowded field in those days. I did my part, holding up my end of the bargain.
Cullen: I think you have more than held up your end of the bargain, I know you’ re inspiring a whole new generation of actors.------------ Okay, it’ s time, lets talk Cranky George!! I’ ve seen you guys LIVE at Molly Malones and LA’ s venerable, The Mint and you guys blew the roof off both joints – such incredible musicianship. I love what’ s written on the band’ s Facebook page, describing your music –( reading)“ Cranky George’ s music is tipped from the bucket that dredges the confluence of the Danube, the Shannon, and the Missouri.” That’ s so spot-on. Your debut album,“ Fat Lot of Good” which is getting worn out on my car CD player, by the way, is pretty incredible. It’ s got everything – And the liner notes nail it –( reading)“ lullabies, sea shanties, murder ballads & footstompers- stories of desire, love, loss, cruelty, ruination and pity. Made with mischief.” I’ ll tell you, whenever I listen to your stuff, it makes me either want to get up and do a free-style jig, call an old friend and tell them I miss them or buy a round of drinks for everyone in the bar.( laughter). Seriously. That’ s MUSIC!! So, how did the band come to be? Dermot: The truth is James Fearnley, the celebrated accordion player of the epic Irish rock band, The Pogues, knew Zander Schloss. Zander, at the time, was playing with Thelonious Monster and The Circle Jerks as their bass player. One day Zander asked James if he knew any string players and he said, " I know the Mulroney brothers." And he said, " Why don ' t you bring them into the studio? Because we’ re recording a new song called " Acid for the Children." So that ' s where I met Zander, who then formulated The Low and Sweet Orchestra that included myself, my brother Kieran and James. After Low