The Wave Magazine's Publisher, Peter Brafford, thought it would be fun to fly the charismatic, extreme sports star and pro skater, Jason "Wee Man" Acuna, up to Silicon Valley for a photo shoot. "The idea was to have a local costume designer provide a wardrobe of custom fitted outfits that would transform "Wee Man" Acuna into every imaginable holiday icon or seasonal celebrity found within our calendar year" Brafford told us..."Which we did. I've got a huge book of slides that I've never used for anything or shown anyone. No one besides the staff on the shoot and a few guests and friends who were actually present that day, have ever seen them. ... They are truly awesome. And insane. I don't know what I was thinking." (Laughs.) "Just to give you an idea of what this shoot was like.... Ok, let me back up a second. You first have to realize that the location of the shoot was booked into an old gas lamp theater and bar. We had multiple sets set up through out this ancient venue. We picked Jason "Wee Man" Acuna up at the airport, went straight to the shoot and began hustling our hero in and out of costumes and props, through different sets. scenes, Ariel rigging, and creative vehicles at a break neck speed. Did I tell you the "Wee Man" came alone. No handlers or entourage. Just him, his skateboard, a big pair of mirrored VonZippa sunglasses and his AC/DC CD. Awesome. I mean he didn't know us from a hole in the wall. We could've been totally bogus. No Magazine or money. Just a pipe to the head and a photo shoot consisting of some Polaroids taken in my medievally, lit basement studio, chained to a rusty, radiator. In other words he had to trust us. With that in mind, put yourself in Mr. "Wee Man" Acunas' curled up elf shoes for a second. You're the only person dressed in costume out of about 20 to 30 people (and growing) mulling about this crazy place that is quickly turning into a scene from an Andy Warhol movie. The bar has been deemed open and the cocktails are flowing, much like that of the artistic, directorial expertise everyone seems to be suddenly bestowed with as they begin barking out commands of our guest. Here's where I made a grave mistake. I left this chaos for a moment during a costume and set change, went out to my car and lit up a smoke. I'm not sure what exactly went on when I was gone..... And though, I wished I'd been there to deter any behavior or actions that could potentially have a negative impact on our guest model's ability to perform...I knew it was too late. Mutiny had been declared."
Quietly, "Wee Man" loads the disc changer with the CD he's had in hand (since he got off the plane) of AC/DC's Highway To Hell. Louder and louder he demands "I want it louder!" can barely be heard over the chorus "I'm on a HIIIGHWAAAY to Hell!" By the time the song finishes "Wee Man" has demolished a pitcher of Pabst, a pack of Lucky Strikes and a box of Popsicles.
Now, imagine, one of those flying monkeys in a bell captain's uniform from the Wizard of Oz.. Then.watch as awe turns to horror as he strips off the bell captains uniform, and runs out the door, and into traffic of a mom and pop type business district on his skate board. He's wearing nothing but a diaper, black Chuck Taylor's, Elvis Presley's sunglasses, and a big pair of wings flapping behind him. Oh yeah,,,, he's, now, also, armed with a real, functioning, bow with a bag of real frigging arrows strapped to his back.(We know this because when we went after him he started shooting them at us.) We're chasing him up and down the block, in and out of stores, shops, restaurants, under trucks, over kids, etc. And the whole time, we're ducking razor sharp, arrows, that are being, (quite skillfully), hurled at us by a maniacally, laughing, little, lunatic on wheels. Who just happens to be a world class, Extreme Sports, athlete. Have you seen Jack Ass? We might as well have been trying to herd cats or corral a baby gorilla, (that rides a skateboard while shooting arrows at you.) He really is an amazing athlete. If the Olympics have any combined, skateboarding, obstacle course riding , archers with wings, while drinking a mug of beer and perhaps having to wear curly pointed shoes for extra difficulty....He's a lock for a gold medal.
Jason "Wee Man" Acuna's mutiny on The Wave Magazine will remain one of the fondest memories of my life, as well as one of my most ridiculous endeavors in publishing. Although, Acuna found pity on us and finally returned, he continued this routine of upbeat, focused professional being uncontrollably overtaken by unseen, evil wolf puppets that run in wild packs of rubber, Eddie Munster, masks, terrorizing the local kin folk. And when it was all over he invited everyone out for bar-b-que....on me. LOL. Before heading back to the airport, he gave us all heartfelt hugs, signed some release papers and told me that he "trusted me". And I knew what he meant.
Only a few images were ever used from that eventful day and only three were covers. This image used on the cover of our St. Pattys Day issue, was the last. The photo along with a printed transcription of an actual phone complaint I received from a reader concerning this cover was printed in a later issue as the opening segment of a story on our societies questionable behavior surrounding political correctness. It became quite the Internet sensation when it first went viral.back in 2002. Millions of hits. Pages and pages of differing opinions. Heated discussions and debates. All over a photo of Jason Acuna aka "Wee Man".
We referred to the caller merely as the Angry Irishman in the transcription. But I assure you , what you are about to read is what was said, pretty much word for word:
Publisher Peter Brafford; Thanks, for waiting, sir. What can I do for you?
Angry Irish Person: I’m deeply offended by the depiction of the leprechaun on the cover of your magazine. He's clearly shown to be in a falling down state of intoxication. And yet you let him continue to drink from that huge mug of beer. And snap pictures no less!!
Publisher Peter Brafford: I’m sorry. We sort of like it. In fact it seems to bring a smile to the face of everyone who sees it.
Angry Irish Person: What do you think would happen if you put a picture of a black person eating fried chicken on your cover? Huh? What do you think would happen?
Publisher Peter Brafford: That’s a horrible cover idea, sir. And I....
Angry Irish Person: They’d be picketing your office in droves! That’s what would happen! And you know it....
Publisher Peter Brafford: Excuse, me sir..But are you implying that leprechauns are going to picket our office? Because I’d actually pay to see leprechauns picketing our office.
Angry Irish Person: What do you think would happen if you put a picture of a black person eating fried chicken on your cover? Huh? What do you think would happen?
Publisher Peter Brafford: That’s a horrible cover idea, sir. And I....
Angry Irish Person: They’d be picketing your office in droves! That’s what would happen! And you know it....
Publisher Peter Brafford: Excuse, me sir..But are you implying that leprechauns are going to picket our office? Because I’d actually pay to see leprechauns picketing our office.
Angry Irish Person: No. man! The Irish!!
Publisher Peter Brafford: Are you seri….aahhh…I mean…On behalf of everyone here at The Wave Magazine, please forgive us for the insensitive cover. Please, continue to patronize our advertisers and thanks for calling. *Click*. What the fa….?
