HARD TIMES OF RJ BERGER

 Mondays @ 10/9c pm on MTV

The last time I purposely watched MTV Tear for Fears were Shouting.  However, last Sunday I found myself looking up the channel to watch the first scripted MTV show Hard Times of RJ Berger. 
Created by David Katzenberg (son of Jeffrey Katzenberg of DreamWorks) and Seth Grahame-Smith (best known so far for Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter & Pride and Prejudice with Zombies)  the show is clearly from a guy's point of view. Originally the show was set in the 1970s and is about RJ, a not so classic high school outsider who has the gift of endowment.  I had no idea what was going on inside of my friend Seth's mind until I read the pilot.  When I met with the both of them to discuss perhaps costume designing the series, I'm pretty sure the second thing I said to Seth was "You're one sick Fuck."  ...he was as pleased as punch.

      The music composer for the series is David Gregory Byrne, a film and tv composer (who happens to share the same name as DB from Talking Heads).  David hails from New York and Michigan and is one of the nicest guys I know, not to mention one of the funnest people to dance with. I asked David a few questions wondering what composing music for a MTV show would be like...

DB explains his job and what music inspired the show and characters
My main job on "The Hard Times of RJ Berger" was creating the original score.  So, basically,  I wrote the theme song, the underscore (music that plays under certain scenes and dialogue to reflect the drama or comedy of the moment), and any music that happens within the world of the show, like the musical numbers in the third episode
         It really ran a wide gamut.  The opening theme of the show is fast and frenetic.  It draws on the energy of bands like The Red Hot Chili Peppers, and punk bands from the 80's.  Then, all of the characters get their own themes and music, and their themes reference musical styles that parallel their character traits.  
      Since RJ is the Loser/Hero his music is an amalgam of lonely-kid music, and epic hero music.  Coach is very smooth, so he gets a 70's soul theme.  Lilly, who is ham-handily trying to win RJ's heart, get's an aggressive, insistent tango.  Miles is trying desperately to fit in, so his music always references trendy pop music.  And Jenny, as RJ's dream-girl, gets dreamy crush music, but also more sensitive music when we find out that she's more than just a Barbie doll.
     Each episode also has an animated sequence, and each sequence references a different style, so the music reflects that style.  The pilot's animation is in a mock anime style, so I got to do some dramatic Japanese cartoon music, which was a lot of fun. 


what kind of music gets you off that people wouldn't expect?
I love the original Bob Seger "We've Got Tonight" (and the Richie Havens cover), The Carpenters, a few choice songs from The Best of Bob Denver...  "Switched on Bach", Esquivel, William Shatner's "The Transformed Man", Leroy Anderson... and I like a lot of classical music that music snobs probably think is fluff... I don't know the list could go on and on...


how many email addresses have you had in the last 5 years and what else should we know about you?
I think around six.  I'm obsessed with food and cooking.
(Most gifts from David include a coupon to have dinner made by him.)

what could you not live without to do your work?

My piano.  And my computer.

what are some odd jobs you've had that relate and any mentors?

I worked the graveyard shift logging tapes at a radio station, was a recording engineer for classical concerts, and I worked as an arranger for cruise ship cabaret shows.

My two mentors in composition were Curtis Curtis-Smith and William Bolcom. I have an enormous amount of respect for them both as musicians and as teachers.  

When I started working, I fell in love with the process - the collaborative aspect of film music.  I got to do what I love, yet still be connected with like-minded artists, all working towards a common goal.  I love that about film and TV music, and since then I've been hooked.

Thanks, Dave! 

dave@davidgregorybyrne.com