No Ordinary Guy

Thomas Ian Nicholas was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He is a film actor, musician, producer, director, and writer. Most of you recognize Nicholas from playing Henry Rowengartner in 'Rookie of the Year'(1983) and Kevin Myers in the American Pie series. With perseverance, fortitude and perhaps a little bit of luck. Thomas Ian Nicholas reunites with the original cast of American Pie in Universal’s American Reunion which opened on April 6, 2012.  The film reunites the gang at their high school reunion and shows us where life has taken them over the last 10 years. In addition to his role as ‘Kevin Myers’, Nicholas also has a song on the film’s soundtrack (“My Generation”) performed by his band, the ‘Thomas Ian Nicholas Band’. 

Nicholas was most recently seen in the 2010 Sundance Film Festival and Independent Spirit Awards favorite, “Please Give”, directed by Nicole Holofcener and co-starring Amanda Peet and Oliver Platt. His next film, “The Chicago 8”, is based on actual court transcripts of eight anti-war protesters on trial for conspiring to cause riots at the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. A man of multiple talents, he spends his free time playing with his band, the Thomas Ian Nicholas Band, as a touring musician. The band is currently working on their third album, a follow up to their previous releases, “Without Warning”, and “Heroes Are Human”. 

I caught up with Nicholas to chat about his recent unite with the cast from American Pie and talk all things music...

R. Firstly Congratulations on the release of American Reunion.10 years have gone by and a lot has happened. What was it like this time round catching up with the old crew and doing the film?
TIN. Thanks, it's been an amazing ride. Making each American Pie movie was subsequently more fun each film, so this was the most fun that we've had as of yet. It was like catching up with old friends. It was probably more of a reunion for us as actors then it was for the characters. 

R. How much of Kevin Myers the character in American Pie would you say is a reflection of your own personality, are there any similarities?
TIN.  Each character that I play has a part of me. I would say that Kevin is a nice guy, he cares a lot about his friends and now we find out that he can cook. Those are the aspects that I share with him.

R. Musically you were able to contribute to the film's soundtrack with a song, titled 'My Generation'. Tell us how this collaboration came about?
TIN. I've been making music as long as I've been making 'American Pie' movies but this is the first time that I've been fortunate enough to have a song on the soundtrack album of one of them. I really have to thank Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg for that. They were aware of my band before we started filming and they really liked it. I ended up playing a live acoustic set at the wrap party of 'American Reunion' for the cast and crew. After my set, they told me that they really wanted to include one of my songs on the soundtrack. 

R. In your second album, "HEROS ARE HUMAN"  your lyrics takes us through a personal and emotion revelation of perspective changes. What can your audience expect this time around for your third album?
TIN. I wrote my third album with Damien Starkey, who played bass with PUDDLE OF MUDD. I went back to the basics of just writing a cool riff or melody and building the song from there. I think that this latest EP is the closest thing to the sound I've been trying to achieve. We had a saying in the studio when we would get stuck on a track, "What Would Grohl Do?"  It's probably the most aggressive sounding album that I've written but that's what happens when you're emulating your musical hero.

    

R. What are some of your musical influences, and would you consider exploring other musical genres other than what you play?
TIN. If you didn't know already, Foo Fighters is a big influence on my band. I'm also into Switchfoot, Bruce Springsteen and John Mayer. I grew up listening to classic rock like Led Zeppelin. I haven't really considered other playing other genres. Although, thanks to my wife I really dig house music. I don't plan on doing anything in electronic music outside of admiring Colette's amazing talent as a DJ and beautiful singing voice.  

Last but not Least…

R. If you could organize a dinner party with 4 artists/personalities (dead, alive, real or fictional) who would they be?
TIN. dave Grohl, Bruce Springsteen, John Mayer and Abbie Hoffman.

You can find Thomas at :http://www.thomasiannicholas.com