JOE SOMEBODY: THE MICHAEL TIERNEY INTERVIEW

(WARNING – Some content is of a graphic, sexually-explicit nature and may offend)   

Michael Tierney has enjoyed a life of hedonistic excess. He was born into the biz (the son of Edward Tierney; the nephew of Laurence Tierney); he indulged his creativity in the independent cinema scene of the 90s (as director of the Melbourne Underground Film Festival entry Evicted in 2000). But his fame came as ‘Joe Blow’, his iconic alter-ego hardcore porn persona. He is the subject of the revealing new documentary The Last Days of Joe Blow, directed by Tierney’s long-time friend and alternative film auteur, Richard Wolstencroft. Ahead of its screening at Monster Fest 2013, Tierney spoke with forthright candour to SCREEN-SPACE from Los Angeles...

When Richard came to you with the idea for his film, what was your first reaction? Were you at a point where you were moving away from the porn career, or did that period of change occur as a result, in some ways, because of the project?

Richard was visiting Los Angeles in early 2009 when he mentioned doing a documentary. I was receptive because when I initially created Joe Blow and entered the adult film business, I always thought that a documentary would be my eject button. Being a filmmaker before entering porn, I always thought a doco would be the natural way to re-enter the film business. And that is what it has become in a way. When Richard offered to do a documentary, I was at a point where I was very successful in porn yet very disillusioned in life. I had already tried quitting porn a few times by then. (pictured, below; Tierney, left, with Wolstencroft)

What were the toughest aspects of laying to rest your alter-ego, ‘Joe Blow’? Did it diminish your personal identity to any degree?

I don't think I had a personal identity any more. I had become Joe Blow. Becoming Joe Blow and being successful in porn, getting people to hire me and pay me to travel the world and bang porn superstars, this took a lot of commitment. I moved to ‘Porn Valley’. I only hung out with porn people. I had completely discarded my old life; staying in touch with only a few old friends. All my new friends called me Joe. I was Gilligan stuck on a paradise island. There was no Michael Tierney any more except when I signed my checks.

The film portrays the industry as a supportive one, in which nice guys like you make friends that last. Given the early loss of your father and the tumultuous relationship with your uncle/guardian, in hindsight, was that acceptance a driving force in you being part of the biz for so long?

I found acceptance in a group of people I found more interesting than Hollywood; rebel filmmakers, strippers, teenage runaways, and ex-cons. Guys in porn have to prove themselves. Once a porn actor does that you're like a made man. There's no reason to quit. Your call time is noon and you’re done by 4pm. You work with beautiful girls. On the surface it's a dream job. There was nothing to go back to.

Just as I would any actor or director, I want to ask about your craft and the technique you employed. What kind of physical connection or, perhaps, disconnection, did you employ at the height of your career? What became your focus before and during the hardcore sex scenes you filmed?

Most important was to get a good night rest. If I was rested I could handle anything. Never jerk off the night before a scene. Don't watch porn. Don't drink and party. Do non-sexual things. Go to the gym. Stay in shape. Live a low key stress free life. When it's your job to fuck for 2 to 4 hours almost every day it becomes a sexual marathon. Pace yourself. Trust your body. Don't worry. You need good vibes on set. If someone is angry or upset it can kill a scene. Small talk with the girl, a joke or two, a bit of indifference. Careful not to kiss her ass if she's a superstar. When the sex happens dive in and have fun. Listen to the director. Don't kiss too much. Take control. Think perverted thoughts. Breath steady. Open up for the camera. Show the penetration. Pull her hair a little. Feature the girl. Cum on cue. Check please!

There is a section in the film in which you descend into the tougher areas of Thailand’s night-life; at one point you intimate, but don’t expand upon, that you’ve done things that you’re not very proud of. How dangerously low did your health/sanity/life go?

In America you have girlfriends that act like whores. In Thailand, you have whores that act like girlfriends. I prefer the latter. The things I wasn't proud of were in the porn business. Scenes where a girl is swallowing 50 loads of cum or doing something in a scene I felt she would regret later. I preferred one on one scenes and small group scenes. Nothing too degrading. Because porn is a discipline and a job, I didn't realize that I had become a sex addict until I quit the business. The depression that I've experienced was partly sex addiction and partly rebuilding a life and identity I had destroyed. The lowest I got was in early 2012, struggling to pay rent in a sleazy motel on the Vegas strip and contemplating homelessness over paying the $135 weekly bill. Drugs were never my problem. Getting a job and fitting into society again has been my problem.

You’ve been out of the porn industry now for three years; the film ends on a man seeking out a new career and, more importantly, a new sense of self. How are things working out? And is there ever the urge to resurrect ‘Joe Blow’?

If you make a promise to yourself it's easy to break. This was another reason to participate in Richard's documentary. As uncomfortable as it was looking at myself, being looked at in this way, struggling with my life in public, I knew it was my best chance to get out of the business and stay out. I retired Joe Blow in September 2010. I left on high note. I had money, I was well liked, and I'd just travelled the world and banged a 1000 girls. I was done. Since leaving the business I've turned down many offers to return, and I've had every reason and excuse to re-enter the business. I've had to give up every comfort and addiction in life. I currently live on a friends couch in Los Angeles. My budget is $500 per month, but I have no debts. I don't own a phone or a car. I make phone calls through the internet. I work on my laptop designing websites for friends. I run Uncle Larry's website and others. It's become a Zen thing for me now. (And I’ve gone) from being a porn star to being celibate. I can't say I always love it but I am a man of extremes.

Comments

[stephanie]

Any way we could get an update on Michael and what 2014 could bring to him,I'm a big fan of his and am absolutely enamored with this gorgeous man!if I could get an update I'd appreciate it :)

[Simon Foster]

Thanks for your interest Stephanie. Michael is currently in post-production on The Second Coming, a thriller directed by his Last Days of Joe Blow director, Richard Wolstencroft. He seems committed to continuing his career redirection while based in LA. He provides regular updates on his official site, www.michaeltierney.com .