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An Interview with Dr. Steel
Posted: Sunday, February 24, 2008
By: Jacob H. Smith
Staff Writer/ New Releases Manager

Vying for the figurative title of 'Emperor of the World,' Doctor Phineas Waldolf Steel works nonstop at his goal for world domination with the loyal support of his Army of Toy Soldiers, an ever-expanding force of volunteers who are constantly promoting and coming up with new and inventive ways to sell the Doctor and his cause. While his music is infectious, and his followers devout, his music for the most part is still yet to be heard by the general populace. Recently he reissued his first three releases, Dr. Steel, Dr. Steel II: Eclectic Boogaloo, and People of Earth digitally on iTunes, Amazon.com, and Rhapsody. Dr. Steel is trying to reinvigorate the underground music scene with his unique vision of a utopian playland to the average person. Coming out of his laboratory for a rare interview, Dr. Steel answers some questions for ReGen readers about his childhood, influences, music, and the possibility of a tour.

Tell us, Dr. Steel. What was your childhood like?

Dr. Steel: As a child, I spent a good deal of time alone. I found more entertainment in my own imaginary worlds than that of the 'real' world around me. My interest was always in creating, be it drawing pictures, recording things on my tape recorder, creating stop-motion animations or building odd contraptions. As I didn't spend much time with other children, I found that I enjoyed the company of adults far more than children my own age. To this end, I remained a bit of an outsider throughout my scholastic career. I continue to enjoy my privacy even now, as I find this to be the most conducive environment for my creativity, which I consider to be the most important thing in my life. My childhood was interrupted when I began to undergo the pressures of 'the system,' and I now seek to resurrect my childhood by manifesting my own reality and encouraging others to do the same. To return to a world of one's own design, filled with creativity and play, is to rediscover the path we once forged as children. As Pablo Picasso so aptly put it, 'Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.'

At what age did you build your first robot?

Dr. Steel: I had a little experimentation set as a child. It was a sort of mechanized 'Lincoln Logs' of sorts. It was with these primitive wires and motors that I built my first mechanized creation. Since then, I have expanded my experimentation, and I look forward to expanding even more into the glorious technological possibilities of the future. To witness the current curve of technology as it grows exponentially is certainly very exciting!

What exactly are you a doctor of?

Dr. Steel: I am a doctor of reality engineering.

When did you first aspire to become Emperor of the World?

Dr. Steel: Well, I'm certain that the thought had crossed my mind as a child. I think we've all fantasized about such grand kingship through various childhood games of one kind or another, though for me the very real possibility of being World Emperor didn't manifest clearly until I lost my mind several years ago. Since then, things have made far more sense to me and the veil of illusion continually begins to tatter and tear before me, allowing many revelations and opening the doorway to infinite possibilities.

How popular have your Web sites become?

Dr. Steel: Shortly after the initial launch of www.doctorsteel.com, I was forced to move my Web site to a larger server, due to the limited bandwidth I had at the time. Since then, Web traffic has continued to increase with ravenous speed. With this, additional locations on the Internet such as my online toy store, World Domination Toys, the digital bunker for my ever-growing Army, Toy Soldiers Unite, and my official MySpace page have become frequented targets for enthusiasts of my work and ideology. It is certainly amazing, this digital world, and it allows both myself and my Army of Toy Soldiers to spread propaganda in an extremely far-reaching way, a way that could never have been possible before the advent of the Internet. It is indeed a very exciting time to be taking over the world.

Tell me more about the Toy Soldiers. How many have enlisted to aid your cause so far?

Dr. Steel: My Army of Toy Soldiers are those of any age, gender or race who wish to make the world a better place. My aim is to encourage the creativity of the individual, to nurture the vision and the sincere interests of the human being. While 'the system' seeks to squash our potential with fear, the Toy Soldiers reject such tactics and embraces the vision of a Utopian Playland. Many members of The Army of Toy Soldiers have been introduced to the movement through my music or artwork, as media is certainly the loudest voice in this day and age. However much they may enjoy my work, they soon come to recognize the creativity within themselves and the realization that they have the ability to change the world. This message has quickly resonated with thousands upon thousands of people from across the globe. To give an estimated number of the ever-growing Army at this point would only result in inaccuracies by the time this interview is published, for the number of daily recruits increases each and every day. As I am often noted for saying, 'It is less than a world takeover and more of a world makeover,' and that makeover begins with the collective vision and awareness of the people. That and giant robots.

I understand that March 4 is officially Toy Soldier Day; what are your plans for this momentous occasion?

Dr. Steel: Ah yes, Toy Soldier Day is a day for the brilliant members of my grand Army. As building a Utopian Playland focuses on making fun the top priority, this day touches on this sentiment by encouraging those who participate to spend the day in the celebration of joy. Be it a collective event or a personal experience, Toy Soldiers from around the globe are spending March 4 having a good time. Many of The Toy Soldiers organize events, such as the annual Disneyland Invasion, a gathering of Toy Soldiers who don their uniforms and spend a fun-filled day at The Magic Kingdom. Others have initiated a SteelCon, a gathering of Toy Soldiers from the East Coast to join forces, spread the propaganda and have fun doing it. This year shall see the first annual London Invasion on March 4, as several Divisions from the United Kingdom will band together to bring the brainwashing joy to Hyde Park. The enthusiasm and initiative is truly staggering, and I look forward to many, many more Toy Soldier Days in the future.

What are some of your influences for your music?

Dr. Steel: I have always been interested in a wide variety of musical styles. I spent much of my youth listening to orchestral pieces, be they classical or film works. Whether it was Igor Stravinsky or Carl Stalling, I found myself drawn to music that sparked my imagination. In later years, I began to discover Pink Floyd, Queen and others. At this point, my library of music ranges from Tom Waits to Pantera, Nine Inch Nails to vintage jazz of the 1920s. I find inspiration in them all, and they are all brilliant works in and of themselves.

How in your own words would you describe your sound?

Dr. Steel: I do not know that I would be able to classify my own work. Rue Morgue Magazine eloquently described my audio experimentation as 'hip-hop industrial opera.' That is about the closest and most accurate description that I have yet to hear. To classify myself into a specific genre would be to limit my creativity as to fit within that classification, so I choose to remain an aural maverick to allow for expansion in the future.

You recently reissued your first three releases via digital means. Do you have anything else up your sleeve for the foreseeable future?

Dr. Steel: Ah yes, I am happy to see my music seep into the digital shopping bags of the MP3 generation. I am looking forward to exponential distribution in the near future as well as pursuing many of the projects I have been working on for several years. Many new creations are currently traveling down the assembly line, and I look forward to releasing them on the masses. Since I am responsible for creating and distributing all that I provide, it is indeed quite the process to maintain a constant flow of finished products. Such speed bumps shall flatten out in the future as things become far more automated and efficient. In the meantime, I shall continue to work night and day to provide the good people of this world with as much of my madness as possible.

Out of all of the music that you've recorded, do you have any specific tracks that are your favorite?

Dr. Steel: Oh goodness, no. I am unable to list any of my favourite creations. I feel that I am forever pushing to expand and improve my work. With this, one often finds that their previous creations are no longer as innovative or well-orchestrated as they could have been. However, that is but a reflection of growth and, in the end, a positive perspective. There are creations that contain elements I would like to expand upon, and there are ideas I am still interested in, so I do retain appreciation for certain past manifestations, but only in as much as I wish to push that much further as an artist.

Any plans for a tour?

Dr. Steel: Indeed, I am interested in visiting various locations around the world. I am constantly receiving an influx of enthusiastic transmissions from people across the globe looking to have me visit their town. I look forward to bringing the musical madness to a wide variety of locations. 'Tis only a matter of time.

Do you have any inspirational words for our readers?

Dr. Steel: Indeed I do. The human body contains enough sulphur to kill all the fleas on an average dog.