Tim Russ (Tuvok) 8.18.00
Tim Russ Loses to "Losers," Demands Rematch

Tim Russ (Tuvok on Star Trek: Voyager) defended his right to be both an actor and a musician as hetook on Howard Stern in a "Battle of the Bands" held live on the shock jock's radio show Friday morning. But three New York-based judges voted that Stern's band, The Losers, was the better group, so Russ challenged Stern to a rematch on his own turf.

Stern had accused Russ of being "a no-talent Star Trek hack who wants to be a singer," referring to Russ' eponymous CD which was released on April 1. Russ accepted a challenge by the trash-talking jock to perform live on his nationally syndicated show against Stern's own band, and this week took a break from his Voyager shooting schedule to fly to New York.

Stern acknowledged that he's a big fan of Voyager, and Russ in particular. "He's very good in the show," Stern said. But, he insisted, "I have a problem with these guys all coming out with albums, all these celebrities...they're actors! I say, stick to acting!"

Despite the verbal sparring, though, the get-together on Friday was very good-natured. Russ evenpromised that if he lost the contest, he would put on his Vulcan ears for Stern.

The judges for the competition were three music industry executives hand-picked by Stern, who weretold to pretend, "You have to sign one of these bands or you have to play the video of one of these bands -- who's it gonna be?" Stern and The Losers performed first with a rousing version of Donovan's "Hurdy Gurdy Man" -- complete with a Led Zeppelin drum sample -- followed by Russ, backed by Neil Norman and his Cosmic Orchestra, who played "Money Talks," a cover of a Giorgio Moroder song culled from his latest CD.

Despite Russ' more mature voice and his group's more polished presentation, The Losers (ironically)won the votes of all three judges. Their criteria was based much more on the group's look than their sound--namely, The Losers looked younger and their outfits were hipper--but their song also had more of a "hook," the judges said. (Neither song was an original composition.) Only one judge commented on the quality of the performances, saying "Tim's band was certainly tight," but that he was more impressed by the guitar player in Stern's group.

Stern said he would be a gracious winner, and admitted, "Tim, I was surprised by how good your bandwas. But I told you I would kick your a**."

Russ replied, "I gotta tell you, I'm not sure how the clothes play in a radio show. But, we'll have to do a rematch and we'll do it on my coast, with my judges. I'll have my experts in the music business, on the West Coast."

Additionally, Russ challenged Stern to come and play a part on Voyager. In typical fashion, Stern said he would be on the show if he could do a love scene with Seven of Nine. But he also commented, "Letme tell you something, if I went on that show, the show would be immediately cancelled. Now where areyour ears? I seem to recall you were going to wear them..."

Upon returning to Los Angeles, Russ told sources that he had a fun time, and he never took Stern's needling seriously. "It was part of the show. Howard's actually a very nice guy -- his persona isvery different off-camera than on." Russ said he doubted Stern would take him up on a musical rematch, but, "He may very well come out to do a guest spot on the show. And we could be in a scene together. That would be ideal."

Those who wish to express their own opinion on who really won the Battle of the Bands can do so on Russ' Web site, www.timrusswebpage.com. His GNP-Crescendo Records CD, titled "Tim Russ," can also be purchased through the site.