This interview took place over the phone on Jan. 16 and has been edited and condensed. Read the full article here.
So, how’s it going?
Oh fine, just trying to stay warm. My fuckin’ transmission blew out so I have no ride. I’m sipping a little bit of rye instead because it’s easier to carry home from the booze store instead of the cubes of Pilsner.
Did you have an interesting childhood?
Oh, I don’t know about interesting. I ran to school with wet hair usually. Did what my old man told me: collected empties when he let me have them, bought licorice and candy. It wasn’t that different. Put them hockey cards in the spokes of my bike to make it sound like a car. It was pretty good, I can’t complain. I know a lot of kids have had a rougher go at it than me. Like 15-16, I moved out, and an older buddy of mine let me crash with him. Then I started to get interested in welding.
Is that your current occupation?
Well no. I ain’t a welder now, I’m just interested in it. I was a welder’s helper for a while there, and now jobs just kind of flow to me here and there. Like not cash corner all the time, but sometimes I get opportunities and stuff. I don’t wanna spend my whole life working though, so I am not always lookin’.
What is a day in the life of Terry like?
Well you know it kind of depends on the opportunity. Like if my buddy Lazer’s like, ‘We gotta go drywalling,’ he likes to fuckin’ start at like 5 a.m. Some people are early workers and those mornings suck. I’m usually up rippin’ it until at least 11. So that day would be super thirsty in the morning drywalling. It changes quite a bit from day to day, but still trying to get my truck running. That’s kind of been taking up a lot of my time. Pick-A-Part’s hard to get to from where I’m at. Taking the bus to Pick-A-Part. Got the wrong gears, have to go back. That kind of thing.
How often do you get recognized in public?
Oh, you know, from time to time I’ll go out there and people will be like, ‘Hey Ter,’ and they’ll honk as they go by. ‘Ter, how ya doin’?’ And I’m like, ‘Right on!’ So, whenever they play that documentary on the TV, then sometimes people will be like, ‘Oh, you’re right on the tip of my brain there. Oh, there you are, hey.’ But if that documentary ain’t on TV that much, then less.
Who’s your biggest inspiration?
Oh, jeez that’s tough. I don’t know, probably Angus Young. Cus he’s an old guy, and he’s still given’r so hard. Like if you watch him play, like he must have some like ceremonies backstage and like Satan fires up his blood. If I could give’r like that at that age, I’m inspired to do that actually.
Bon or Brian?
Oh, Bon fer sure. Fuck. Not to say they’re not equally inspirational or talented. But something about Bon. He’s a bit more of a wild child, ya know? So, I like that.
He’s also got the same kind of hair as you
Oh fuck, well Malcolm Young’s hairdo was fuckin’ awesome way back in the day. I only get a haircut like once a year, but maybe I should just bring in a picture of Malcolm, and be like, ‘Do it like this.’
What is the best beer, and why is it Pilsner?
Oh oh, that’s a loaded question because you just answered it! I actually recently found out there’s more than one Pilsner. I normally drink the Pilsner from Lethbridge, and I do think that is my favorite beer. It’s not too pricey. I heard from the brewmaster, I met him one day, and he said that Pilsner is the most expensive beer for Molson to make. It costs them the most because they have to bring in hops from Germany. So, it costs them the most, and they sell it for less. That’s why I like it.
Here’s a philosophical question for you: If Pilsner was a woman, what kind of woman would it be?
Well, fuck, the perfect woman. All I can say. I don’t want to get into shit for this, my wife Trish reads this stuff. If you write it, I’ll get in shit later.
Do you still hold a grudge with Calgary Transit for not becoming their voice?
Well, I wouldn’t call it a grudge; I was just thinking it was a good match. Apparently, Seth Rogen was actually gonna do it, but I don’t know if he did. I have a plan once it warms up. Maybe I might go camp out at Calgary Transit there. I don’t even need to be the whole voice, how about just Marlborough Mall? Just the one where they’re like, it’s the normal voice, then I can be like, ‘You’re at Marlborough Mall, Aawooo,’ then the rest will be normal.
Do you still get Saddletown confused with the Saddledome?
Not anymore. You do that trip twice and you won’t forget.
What are your favourite Calgary neighbourhoods besides your native Ogden?
Dover, fer sure. Rundle, anywhere kind of around Sunridge Mall.
What are your go-to places to eat and drink?
I like the Smokehouse Diner on Ogden Road. Pinbar fer sure, they’re really nice to me there. Tubby Dog if I’m really lucky like I love those hot dogs.
What’s your favourite part about Calgary?
Oh man, I got lots of things I love about Calgary. First of all, the amount of sunshine we get here. I could never live in a gloomy place that’s always gloomy, ya know?
Like Edmonton?
Ya like Edmonton. Fer sure, you could say that a couple times. But anyways, everyone in Calgary is super friendly, and like, not gonna lie, camping.
Do you consider yourself to be an ambassador of Calgary?
Well recently, people have started to say that, and like ya hear it enough you start to believe it. So, like the Calgary Flames kind of put me up there a bit by makin’ some shirts. I don’t wanna let it go to my head, I’m just given’r, but if Calgary needs an ambassador, I’ll do it.
Does it give you chills when you hear “Awooo” at Flames games?
I’m not gonna lie man, I was watchin’ a game at home, and I heard it ripple through the cable, and I was like, ‘That’s fuckin crazy.’ I woulda never believed that if someone told me that would happen.
Milan Lucic or Connor McDavid?
You know who I have to go for, it’s Looch man!
Thoughts on the Battle of Alberta feud between Matthew Tkachuk and Zack Kassian?
Oh, Kassian needs to take five, and the NHL was like, ‘Go take five, man.’ They say Tkachuk turtled a little, but it was a good call at the time. He was like, ‘Do I wanna get hurt? Or hide under my gloves?’ But who really won there? We did.
Now, I’m going to ask you the questions that James Lipton uses on Inside the Actors Studio: What is your favourite word?
Fuck.
What is your least favourite word?
No.
What turns you on, creatively, spiritually, or emotionally?
Weed.
What turns you off?
No weed.
What’s your favourite curse word?
Fuck.
What sound or noise do you love?
Awooooooo.
What sound or noise do you hate?
The sound of my fuckin’ truck not starting. Fuckin’ hate that.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Like a truck driver, but not one that has to go too far. Like the one who does the run from Calgary to Airdrie or something like that. Long haul, but short haul driver.
What profession would you not like to do?
Probably a tax man or an accountant.
If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the pearly gates?
Get in here bud, let’s give’r!
Do you think you should be on the cover of the next edition of the Calgary Journal?
Ya, fuckin’ A, let’s do it.
This story is part of our March-April print issue. Check out the digital version here or grab a copy at newsstands across the city.
Editor: Georgia Longphee | glongphee@cjournal.ca