In recent years Jim Stiene has emerged as the leading figure in Urban Polka music. His shows have been known to spark violent outburst, as was the case in 2003 when several fans were trampled to death trying to leave one of his shows, or in January 2004 when a fan was stabbed to death for drinking another man's Sunny Delight.

But the carnage does not end there. His music has inspired countless followers around the world to take their own lives which he credits to the stark lyrics of songs like, 'Handjobs and Calluses,' 'Yoda's Revenge,' 'Incontinent Cheerleaders,' and 'Spank The Monkey'.

"I guess some of that stuff is pretty dark." Stiene admits, "When other artists write about masturbation or incontinence they usually approach it in a humorous way. I try to make my songs as depressing as possible, so that people can know the personal hell I'm living in, and experience it firsthand. I mean, why should I suffer alone? I'm not some fly by night 80's artist like Bob Dylan or Bruce Springsteen. I write serious music for serious people. And I want my songs to have as much of an impact as my fans do when they hit the pavement after plunging to their death."

He's optimistic about his record sales after his last CD, 'White Trash Serenade' shipped double platinum. He says his biggest influences are Bobby Vincent, Debbie Gibson and Shakira:

"Shakira's great. I mean, her songs are kind of sucky and all, but holy Jesus can she shake it. And that's what really counts. At least if you want to make an impression. A lot of singer/songwriter's come out these days and they say it's all about the music. But they can't get jiggy with it. They won't jiggle it even a little but. Well, Shakira's the shiznitz. That's just the way it is, and if you don't agree with me you should seek professional counseling, because you're obviously very gay, and probably a communist as well."

His recent autobiography, "My ass, your face" has gotten rave reviews from Kirkus Reviews and the New York Times Book Review, something Stiene attributes to his deep insights and positive message for humanity.

All in all, he has remained true to his craft. A craft honed from personal hardships and great loss. A mercurial figure, he stopped writing songs for 7 years as a protest, after CBS took 'Hello Larry' off the air.

"I was crushed. I was walking around in a drunken stupor for days. Not because they cancelled the show. I just enjoy walking around in a drunken stupor. But losing that show really struck a nerve. And made me think about the transient nature of life. How one second you're McClean Stevenson, living the good life, then some network asshole tears the rug out from under you. It's not fair. Okay, people are starving around the world, children are dying of disease, or horribly mistreated by priests, Jehovahs witnesses or gloved pop stars. But why did they pull that show off the air? It doesn't make any sense."

And his influences vary greatly:

"My favorite album is 'Goin Coconuts'. No one took Donnie and Marie seriously as artists until then. But that album changed everything. Many believe it was soley responsible for the emergence of punk rock in the late 70's. Some deny it, but I was there. I remember Sid Vicious going on and on about Maries dark, sensual voice. But then petty jealousy and vicious rumours that Donnie was shagging Marie on the sly, brought it all to an end. Something reached critical mass. Personally, I never believed Donnie was sticking it to his sister, but what do I know? She was pretty hot."

Stiene is planning a biography of Donnie and Marie, complete with computer generated images of what the perky sibblings would look like if they were playing hide the salami:

"I think it's important that people see how ridiculous the accusations are, and the only way to do that is with computer simulations of them doing it till they drop. My publisher expects huge book sales. Not that I'm doing it for the money. I just think things need to change. Maybe I'm too selfless."

When asked to elaborate on what needs to change, Stiene only replied, 'Stuff.' But it was obvious from his determined look that he meant it, although on first impression one might think his determined look had to do with assorted intoxicants and lack of sleep.

"Look, I'm just a guy with a guitar and a black belt in Karate. I'm not claiming to be the second coming. But right now I'm more popular than Yanni. That might upset some people, but that's too bad. They'll just have to learn deal with it. I have."