YM Interview: Bucky Turco, Editor-In-Chief of ANIMAL magazine

The Mystery of Bucky Turco unravels like a poorly rolled joint...

Where are you from?
Long version: I hail originally from the eastern lands where driving around from parking lot to parking lot and doing drugs is the socially accepted norm. Short version: South Shore Long Island
(Blogebrity background here.)

Please share a personal (and hopefully interesting) NYC taxi story.
There is a tiny strip of 2nd avenue that is hot (as in "known for drugs" you prudes), like literally 2 storefronts worth on the southwest corner of 2nd Ave. and 28th St. Anyway it was pouring like biblical times and I was fumbling with quarters in front of this bodega considering whether or not to take the bus. I was a quarter short so instead I hailed a cab. By the time we hit 23rd street DT's (as in "undercover cops" you prudes) pulled over the cab and pulled their guns and told me to get out. I got out with my backpack and they checked all my pants pockets. They told me sorry they thought I was buying heroin. I was like, "Do I look like a fucking junkie, jeez." So I got back in the cab and gave praise onto Festivus.

Time travel question: What era, day or event in New York's history would you like to re-live?
It would have to be July 13, 1863, the starting date of the NYC Draft Riots. Would have loved to burn down a few police stations and government buildings.

9pm, Wednesday - what are you doing?
Getting home from all the post-work free drink events and then doing my first bong hit of the day.

What's your New York motto?
It's more of a commandment then a motto: "Don't know thy neighbor."

Best celebrity sighting in New York, or personal experience with one if
you're that type.
At the 3rd issue release party for ANIMAL magazine (shameless plug #1) we had this artist Pat Conlon (shameless plug #2: he's also part owner of Epstein's Bar stop by and get a drink) in the magazine and he is good friends with all the dudes from Lords of the Rings. I mean we had the hobbits, elves and even Gollum up in the party. But the best was watching one of my annoying Long Island friends who was totally jammed up (as in "coked up" you prudes) following around Elijah Wood and Sean Astin asking them "Where is the road to Mordor" in a sort of demonic cackle using the best Ork impersonation his grinding jaw could muster.

Describe that low, low moment when you thought you just might have to leave NYC for good.
When I was evicted along with a weed addicted roommate (fuck what those hippies tell ya, every millennia someone actually does get addicted to weed) out of a $350 2br (yes, that would be $175 each) on Rivington and Pitt St back in 1993. I almost actually considered moving back to Long Island for a nano-second but then my life flashed before me and ended up going to Hunter College to stay in the $190 a month dorm. Thank you Tap and Pell.

Just after midnight on a Saturday - what are you doing?
Staying as far away from Max Fish as possible. Fucking amateur's night out.

What's the most expensive thing in your wardrobe?
A pair of $300 ugly Nike black leather air max's. I totally bought them for status but never wore them.

Where do you summer?
In an air conditioned office in the Chelsea Market. Although every once in a while my rich friends with boats take me fishing on the Great South Bay.

Who do you consider to be the greatest New Yorker of all-time?
Bucky Dent. Only because he has helped bring legitimacy to the name Bucky.

What was your best dining experience in NYC?
How about what is, instead? Going into Mama's and smiling and being overly cordial while the extremely jaded staff reluctantly serve me with full knowledge that I have neither tattoos nor a dirty t-shirt.

Just how much do you really love New York?
As much as a rich man loves his money.

What happened the last time you went to L.A.?
I hung out with Danny Boy from House of Pain and he showed me a real gun made out of gold with 4 leaf clovers.

Medication: What and how much do you take?
No meds here, Klonapin is for pussies.

Of all the movies made about (or highly associated with) New York, what role would you have liked to be cast in?
Definitely the kid in Kramer vs. Kramer. Dustin Hoffman is my hero.

If you could change one thing about New York, what would it be?
Bikes lanes, coffee shops, and an immense Red Light district. What ever happened to the "go back to your roots" movement?

The End of The World is finally happening. Be it the Rapture, War of Armageddon, reversal of the Sun's magnetic field, or Williamsburg stops sucking. What are you going to do with your last 24 hours in NYC?
Hopefully impregnating Jessica Coen so that the prophecies can finally be fulfilled and the anti-Christ can be born.

Bucky provides a bonus picture of Diane Sawyer on 9/11. He was her cameraman.