What's In Your Fridge: Jason Corbett

by Mike Usinger on July 8th, 2016 at 11:06 AM

1 of 2 2 of 2

What’s in Your Fridge is where the Straight asks interesting Vancouverites about their life-changing concerts, favourite albums, and, most importantly, what’s sitting beside the Heinz Ketchup in their custom-made Big Chill Retropolitan 20.6-cubic-foot refrigerators.

On the grill

Jason Corbett

Who are you

I’m a producer and mixer at my recording studio Jacknife Sound here in Vancouver. I also release music and play live as ACTORS and compose for film and television. The next ACTORS single/video “Bury Me” comes out August 22 on Northern Light Records. I love music and I love working with passionate people.

First concert

My mom’s boyfriend took me to see Billy Idol at the UBC War Memorial Gym in 1983. It was the Rebel Yell tour and Platinum Blonde was opening. The guys sitting beside us were smoking weed the whole show so I’m pretty sure it was also the first time I got high. I wore my hair spiked up like Billy Idol for the next two years.

Life-changing concert

The same year as the Billy Idol concert I went to see a late-night showing of Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture at the Capitol 6 theatre. The movie documents the final concert that Bowie performed as Ziggy Stardust. Even though it was only a movie of a concert, it felt visceral and dangerous. I would soon be learning the opening chords to Ziggy Stardust on a $65 white Harmony Les Paul copy. I’ve been a total fan ever since. I was absolutely gutted when he passed away and cried on and off for two days. It’s different now with him gone.

Top three records

David Bowie Scary Monsters I love everything from Bowie but Scary Monsters squeaks in at number one. It feels like he took everything he learned in Berlin and focused it on that album. "Ashes to Ashes", "Fashion", and "Scary Monsters" are all just unbelievably good tracks.

Joy Division Substance This pick is a little bit of a cheat as it’s a compilation but this two-record set is never far from my turntable. "Love Will Tear Us Apart" may just be the perfect song, and the gateway to the tortured soul of Ian Curtis.

The Clash London Calling I was still in elementary school when I randomly taped the single "London Calling" off the radio one night. The next day I stole money out of my mom’s purse and ran across the street to Coquitlam Centre to buy the cassette. The clerk was all “nice choice little dude!” like the school bus driver on The Simpsons. Those songs have been with me in some form or another ever since. They never go out of style.

All-time favourite video

Duran Duran "The Chauffeur" It's dark, sexy, and it’s pretty much their coolest song. I felt my first pangs of puberty watching that video. The topless dance scene in the underground parking was almost too much. It still holds up.