Who are these guys, anyway?

Cast

Steve

The amiable family man Steve Hasby would at first appear to be just another middle-aged, nostalgic fan, but he was once star.
In the mid-70's, young Hasby and his chums landed a record contract under the band name Carbuncle, a hard rock outfit with art-rock influences. For the next decade, they toured extensively, proving fairly popular with the same crowd that enjoyed bands like Rush, Kansas, and Foreigner. By 1988, however, creative drought and internal disagreements lead to Carbuncle's break-up. In the following years, Steve supported his family with the royalty money he was still making from airplay and record sales, and by working freelance as a studio musician.
Steve had lived one of his dreams, but he had another, less ambitious one: To start his own music store. By the mid-90's, as he incomes were no longer sufficient, he finally decided to try his hands at this business. The store, "A Passion Play" has since become an institution. Steve has a highly eclectic taste, and he is always up to date with the music world and show business in general. In his soul, however, he never truly left the seventies.

Desert island album: Led Zeppelin II

Thrive

Since his childhood, Alex Hill (24) is known to everyone as "Thrive" because of his ability to thrive, no matter what the conditions. That doesn't necessarily mean that people around him thrive in his company. While Thrive is considered a pleasant enough guy, he is a born slacker, and can always find an excuse for procasting or avoiding anything he doesn't enjoy. He doesn't get out much, and hates crowds.
His attitude may change now that he has a regular job. Yet working at "A Passion Play" might suit his lifestyle too well - Thrive is an obsessed record collector and owns approx. 600 LP's and CD's. He is also an obsessed collector of more or less useless facts from the history of rock, including some of Steve's background, which gives him a natural advantage at work.

Desert island album: "R.E.M.'s Automatic For The People". Or maybe U2's "Joshua Tree"...Wait! How about The Beatles' White Album? You're allowed to bring a double or triple album, right? Or maybe I should go for one of the classic Dylans..."

Hutter

Thrive's flatmate Hutter (age unknown) grew up in the Australian rainforest where he, according to the few hints he has given about his past, was introduced to electronica music by an eccentric German composer. His fascination for such music has remained, and today he is a reowned DJ at house and rave parties. Apparently that's his only source of income, althouhgh he has a lot of money whose origin is unknown (at least it's unknown to Thrive, and that's driving him crazy).
Hutter seems very smart, well-adjusted and responsible compared to his flatmate. The only flaw in his personality is that he's got a bit of a temper. He's espescially provoked when people refer to him as a fruitbat - which is what he is, but he prefers the term "flying fox".

Desert island album: "Assuming that it was actually possible to play records or compact discs on the desert island in question, in which case I'd wonder how deserted that island really was - Tangerine Dream's "Phaedra"

Gillian

Gillian McKenzie(24), is Steve's other assistant at "A Passion Play". She's trying with varied success, to be a Goth. While she does prefer music with intense guitar music in it, her heart is still in the old bands (Iron Maiden, Black Sabbath, Kiss, etc.), rather than in the hot, new underground bands . And she's never seen the great appeal in Anne Rice - though not for the lack of trying. Gillian is not a bad person, but her mood swings tend to intimidate people. One moment, she can be the best friend and confidant you'll ever find. The next, sensible people know enough to stay clear off her.

Desert island album: AC/DC's "Back In Black

Crystal

Steve's only child, Crystal Hasby(18) is trying to figure out what to do with her life after high school. It's not easy growing up with two parents who are both creative artists. Although she's too young to remember much from their days of true fame, the pressure on her to accomplish something great is considerable. In truth, Crystal is remarkably unambitious and really just wants to relax and enjoy her life for a few years before she decides what to do with it. But she hesitates to tell her parents that. She knows how proud they are of their artistic careers, and respects what they've accomplished, although she doesn't see the appeal in any of it.

Desert island album: "Whatever is cool right now"

Rhiannon

Steve's wife Rhiannon Silver(45), civil name Rhiannon Hasby, was once regarded as one of the most promising artists of the eighties. And the eighties was basically what she got, as the established art connaisseurs lost interest in her roughly ten years ago. She keeps trying, however, to make a startling new comeback, and regularly works on new ideas. As a result, Steve is now the family's only actual breadwinner.

Desert island album: The Residents' "Duck Stab"