My Rejected Musical Work: The Jimmy Neutron Spin-Off!

Back in May of 2009, Nickelodeon was gracious enough to ask me to audition for a new show that was in the works called Planet Sheen. This was to be a spin-off of the wildly popular 2002 TV series The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius as well as the 2001 Oscar-nominated film Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius. This new CGI-animated show would follow the antics of Jimmy's sidekick, Sheen Estevez, as he caused mischief on a distant planet with an entirely new cast of characters. The prospect of landing this scoring gig seemed exciting because in the producers notes they explained that they were looking for a quirky, New Wave-y sound reminiscent of Mark Mothersbaugh (DEVO) and Danny Elfman (Oingo Boingo). Needless to say, I felt right at home within these parameters! I came up with three different theme ideas, all in slightly different, but keeping in mind the producer's notes.

The first thing I did was a bubbly, pop-punk cross between DEVO, X, and They Might Be Giants with some temporary lyrics I came up with- just to give them an idea of how words would fit in to the song:

Here's a theme for Planet Sheen.

I know... It's a spin-off show... based on Jimmy Neutron.

That's my show!

It's called Planet Sheen!

It's called Planet Sheen!

I couldn't stop thinking about the B-52's for some reason so for my second attempt I had this vision of a mutated Planet Claire complete with sputnik satellites and a bit more rock energy. Finally, the third version was a simple, safe, punk-nouveau ditty complete with New Wave synths and a surf guitar solo.

The prospect of landing a new cartoon series at Nickelodeon during this time would have been great for me. I had just come off of composing music for the short-lived, but critically-acclaimed, Making Fiends which was currently airing on Nicktoons every week so my hopes were high. I submitted the songs, along with some additional spec cues for their early animatic pilot and anxiously awaited a reply.

I didn't get the job.

Ego Plum

PS- In case you're wondering, this is what they went with:

In Memoriam: Gidget Gein [1969-2008]

Back in the early 2000's, I became friends with the artist Gidget Gein. He was most well known as co-founder and bassist of the group Marilyn Manson, but during the time I knew him, he was establishing himself as a talented visual artist creating a unique world of surrealist/exploitation/pop art.

In 2004, Gidget came up with the concept for a fashion line called USE ONCE AND DESTROY COUTURE and organized a huge art opening/fashion show to commemorate its launch. He asked me if I would provide a "soundtrack" for the event to which I enthusiastically agreed. I surprised him with 8 original pieces of music which would serve as the backdrop to the wondrous parade of miscreants who strutted down the make-believe catwalk. A limited-edition CD entitled, "Music for Gidget Gein's Gollywood" was sold exclusively at this show.

After this event, we would talk on and off over the years and in 2006 Gidget expressing interest in working with me on some original music. I invited him to my studio where we decided to simply hit record on the tape recorder, and see what we'd come up with. He played bass. I played guitar, and I invited my friend Rey Perez (Ebola Music Orchestra/Anti-Art Brigade) to join us on drums. We had a lot of fun; the collaboration felt effortless and it yielded a few interesting ideas that we both felt we could expand on eventually.

We agreed to revisit these things after we both became less busy. Unfortunately (and thankfully), we both became busier with other creative projects which didn't allow us the time to get together again.

On October 9, 2008 (3 years ago today) I learned that Gidget Gein had died of a Heroin overdose the night before. 

In memory of my old friend, and in the spirit of exploitation which I am sure he would appreciate,  I am re-releasing my original Gollywood Soundtracks, as well as 4 never-before-heard tracks featuring myself and Gidget Gein in the aforementioned jam session which we never revisited. They are available today at any of your favorite online digital retail outlets.

Available at iTunes, Amazon

Track Listing:

1. Gollywood
2. Manson Theme
3. Hate Theme
4. Ani Malo
5. Intermedio
6. Cockroach Variations
7. The Happy Whistler
8. Gollywood (Reprise)
9. Unfinished Song I (Gidget Gein & Ego Plum)
10. Unfinished Song II (Gidget Gein & Ego Plum)
11. Unfinished Song III (Gidget Gein & Ego Plum)
12. Unfinished Song IV (Gidget Gein & Ego Plum)

Thank you Gidget Gein for your creativity and inspiration,

Ego Plum