Alexandra Crockett—the photographer responsible for the book “Metal Cats,” featuring a wide array of images of male musicians from the metal scene with their cats—discusses how she’s been a life long cat person who became a metal fan at 14 while living on Bainbridge Island, not far from Seattle. 
Crockett allows that she’s a bit surprised at the excitement 
and momentum “Metal Cats” has already generated (our interview happened almost a full two weeks before the book’s publication date). She recalls how the idea for the book came about—Crockett was always taking pictures of various facets of the metal scene, and a friend suggested there might be the makings of a photo book there. Crockett describes the process of contacting and photographing the musicians–bands represented include Municipal Waste, Skeletonwitch, Gypsyhawk, Nausea, Phobia, Napalm Death,Lightning Swords of Death, Book of Black Earth, and Skarp), and the challenges of shooting 
cats who often weren’t too keen to have their pictures taken. She also notes that in addition to those captured in her official shoots, an enormous number of musicians submitted 
their own photos with their feline friends, including Donald Tardy, of Tampa’s pioneering death metal band Obituary and, with his partner Heather, head the Metal Meowlisha, which tends to a colossal number of feral cats. (They were guests on “Talking Animals” in Oct. of 2011.) She also points out that while undertaking interviews and other promotional duties for “Metal Cats,” she’s pursuing a doctorate in psychology.(www.facebook.com/metaldudescats.book?fref=ts)
Images–apart from the shot of Crockett–From Metal Cats by Alexandra Crockett, published by powerHouse Books.
ALSO: We spoke briefly with Mike Shumate, Manager of Pasco Animal Services, about the circumstances behind the current overcrowding in the county’s shelter, and what might be done about it—including various adoption events and special deals being offered in the days ahead. (www.pascocountyfl.net/Index.aspx?NID=408)
COMEDY CORNER: Michael Ian Black’s “No-Kill Animal Shelter” (radio edit) (www.michaelianblack.net)
MUSIC: Rebekah Pulley’s “Talking Animals Theme,” Lake Street Dive’s “Rabid Animal,” instrumentals
NAME THAT ANIMAL TUNE: The Who’s “Boris The Spider”
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