TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

Jay and Silent Bob are coming to Bakersfield. Movie director Kevin Smith and actor Jason Mewes, who portray the lovable Gen X misfits, will be appearing on the big screen for a special one night in-theater event, "Behind Kevin Smith," at Edwards Bakersfield 14 on Feb. 2. But before you go "Wolvie berserk style," be sure to read the following carefully to avoid getting your "snoochie boochies" in a bunch.

The three-hour event will begin with Smith (Silent Bob) and frequent co-star Mewes (Jay) hosting their highly rated podcast, "Jay and Silent Bob Get Old," followed by a live interactive Q&A with theater audiences across the country. During the event, fans will have the opportunity to submit their questions directly via Twitter, using the hashtag #livefrombehind.

After being introduced to audiences in Smith's directorial debut -- the 1994 cult comedy "Clerks," the two became recurring characters in many of Smith's subsequent films, including their own, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." Today they've become pop culture icons, referenced in trivia and advertising campaigns.

The Californian chatted with Jason Mewes, 37, by telephone to find out about the origins of Jay & Silent Bob, their home state of New Jersey and sobriety.

Who were Jay and Silent Bob inspired by?

Kevin based the Jay character on me. I met him when I was 13. When we shot 'Clerks,' I was 17, 18. Those five years, that's pretty much what I acted like, minus the weed selling. Kevin wanted to be on screen, but didn't want to have to memorize a script and direct. Silent Bob was created to interact with me, so I could do all my stuff. He never needed lines.

Do impersonators freak you out?

The only time it was crazy was when Kevin and I used to go to comic book conventions in the '90s. It was almost like we were The Beatles walkin' around.

A lot of people's impressions of New Jersey come from Kevin Smith movies and "Jersey Shore." What's the more accurate portrayal?

It's definitely two different spots. There are people like those from "Jersey Shore," who come from the north part of Jersey near New York. They come and cause traffic jams and fights. Kevin's Jersey is more central and south.

When will you stop exploiting the fact that Jay and Silent Bob are getting older? What more can they do?

I'd like to do some animation again with the characters. When we did it before, for five episodes for a TV show in 2000 and it didn't work, but now with "South Park" on it can.

Will you ever retire the roles?

I think we've retired them in the sense of doing movies, but then we started doing the podcast we said, "Let's call it 'Jay and Silent Bob Get Old'" instead of just using our real names.

You enjoy doing the speaking engagements?

I love it. It's like therapy for me. I get to tell my stories and look back at where I don't wanna be again. I've been sober for two years. I've kept in touch with one person on Twitter, who says she's been a year sober and whenever she's down or feels like using she listens to the podcast, and it cheers her up. I just feel grateful and blessed.

What kind of experience do you hope fans will have after sitting for three hours in a movie theater watching you talk?

We've never done it before. My goal is to entertain the people. Whoever came up with it -- it's a good idea.

What's the longest story Kevin's ever told onstage?

At least 45 minutes on just one. I remember going to one show, where it was supposed to be a three-hour Q&A, and they started turning the house lights on. The employees wanted to go home because it had already been 7½ hours.

So long, Naked Al

The local tattoo community is mourning the death of tattoo studio owner Alfonzo "Naked Al" Galindo Jr., 52, who was found dead in his shop at 1820 Eye St. last Saturday. His brother, Gordon Galindo, said the apparent cause was a heroin overdose.

"Al had an addiction for years," said Gordon Galindo, who was in Florida on business when he got the news. "Growing up, Al would always push the envelope."

Galindo opened Naked Al's Tattoo in 1995 at a time when body ink and piercings were not as accepted as they are today. Gordon Galindo recalled the day his brother approached him about leaving his job as a cable installer to follow his dream.

"I couldn't believe it when he came in and said he was going to do it. He had a good business sense and foresaw there was need for it. Socially, it was not being accepted yet. He knew a lot of artists and put together a plan to open a shop and hire artists."

Galindo was nicknamed "Naked Al" because he had no ink on his own body, said friend Marc Deleon of Mad Dog Tattoo, who added that the loss is a great one.

"I've known Al since I was 14. For someone who didn't have tattoos, he was on the pulse of the business. He was very good- natured and helping. Al was a mentor to a lot of people. I think it's a major blow to every hometown shop."

Despite struggling with demons of his past, including prison time, Galindo had been clean since opening the shop, his brother said.

"He was able to reach out to people there. It's kind of that element. He had some phenomenal guys. Al had stipulations. Even if the artist was good, if he was high, he would give them his walking papers. If anyone comes in high or drunk, he wouldn't tattoo them."

The tattoo shop is closed pending the settlement of legal matters. According to his brother, Galindo left no will, and artists who were renting space have been unable to retrieve their belongings. Galindo's wife, Heather, is trying to resolve the issues as she deals with her grief.

"It's an awkward situation. She would love to get it resolved soon. She understands they have to get to work, but at the same time they have to understand the situation we're in."

Galindo also leaves behind three children. A public viewing will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. today at Basham Funeral Care, 3312 Niles St. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at RiverLakes Community Church, 4301 Calloway Drive.

Battle of the bands

Last Saturday's Giving Tree Project Battle of the Bands at the Nile was a rousing success, according to organizer, Amber Beeson.

"It was a total team effort between everyone that participated with the event," she said. "Everything ran according to schedule, no mistakes."

After kicking off the daylong competition with the Candace Freeman Nujazz Trio at 11 a.m., attendees were treated to an eclectic collection of Bako's current scene, including 15 local bands and 20 artists who lined the club's lobby with their wares.

"I kind of planned the jazz for the morning to be mellow for the early audience that may have been hungover. A lot of bloody Marys were served. Then things began to get progressively louder."

Estimated crowd numbers ran from 300 to 400, with DJ Josex providing music during set changes.

"There was something for everyone to enjoy. All the bands and artists looked and sounded amazing. The best thing that really happened was that it was such a social experiment."

By night's end indie heroes of The Architecture were awarded the grand prize: A complete promotional package, compliments of Bakersfield's Higher Definition Media, Rocket Ship Recording Studios and No Image Photography. Coming in second and third place were The Aviators, along with Kenny Reeves and The Clones, who also won promo packages.

Beeson added nearly $2,500 was raised to benefit The Giving Tree nature project at William Penn Elementary.