It took forever it seems, but I have finally finished the book about Tony "IT" Sarkka. There were many times that I had thought of giving up because it was hard to write it both emotionally and psychologically. I mean he had been a hero to me, although we had never actually met. I had chatted with him a few times on Myspace and that was about it. But when I learned of his death in February 2016, I got the idea to tell his story. One of the main reasons why is because I didn't want him to be forgotten.
For some reason, a lot of people in the music world are easily forgotten after they die. Not everyone can be a Jim Morrison or John Lennon. Some just fade away into obscurity. Ever heard of Johnny Ace? No I don't mean the wrestler. See what I mean? How many of you remember Shannon Hoon or Terry Kath? Neither of their deaths made enough of an impact to have become the stuff of legend. On the other hand two rappers named Big E. Smalls and Tupac, whether you're like me and don't give a shit about rap or rappers, we are constantly reminded of their "mysterious" deaths. And when I saw the Grammy's (why the fuck did I bother to watch that shit?!) and I didn't see Tony's name mentioned in the "In Memoriam" montage, I was even more convinced that I had to write this book.
For his fans and family, his death was both a shock and a great loss. There have been few metal musicians that were as prolific on several instruments and played in a variety of metal genres like he did. Although a lot of his work was neither mainstream nor did it get the distribution it deserved, he was still loved and respected by TRUE fans of metal. When his passing was announced by his sister and sometimes manager Desire, a shockwave of grief spread through the metal world that hadn't been felt since Dimebag Darrell's senseless murder in 2004. A month later another musician, Negru drummer and founding member of the progressive black metal band Negura Bunget also passed.
It was while doing research for this book that I got to meet some people that I otherwise wouldn't have. Such as Tony's long-time friend and frontman for many of his bands, Jim "ALL" Berger. I got to know his sister Desire and her daughter Pixie. But the biggest help had to come from Michael Bohlin who had first asked Tony to join his band Brejnn Ded, thus starting Tony's career in music. They would maintain a friendship that lasted for the rest of Tony's life. Michael helped me to edit, revise and weed out the bullshit that was on the Net from those claiming to have been intimate friends of Tony's to inaccurate discographies and everything in between. I also made a new friend named Jonas who was a fan of Tony's and later became a friend of his. It was he that suggested the title which came from an Ophthalamia album, my favorite of Tony's many bands.
Although it was great to have met so many interesting people and learn so much about a man that was a hero of mine, it was exhausting work. When I wrote fiction it was much easier as I am not bogged down with hours and hours of research and fact-checking. I really do not plan to write another biography but might do some more non-fiction in the future. But not for awhile.
For now I want to focus on two other projects that I have been putting off. One of them is somewhat close to being finished and the other one is nowhere near. I do have a cover for one, though...
Anyways, thanks for reading while I rambled. Later, all.