Like many 12-year olds before him, Eric Melin kept a diary as a child. It began as a private book of thoughts, but gradually morphed into something far more telling. He abandoned the confessional format of most diaries, and began meticulously cataloging every movie he saw- on TV, at the drive-in, sneaking into the theater at the mall, or renting VHS tapes. At the end of each year, he would alphabetize them and add them all up. 1983 was a particularly good year, when the budding young critic netted a total of 282 movies. Along with an unhealthy obsession for Siskel & Ebert’s “Sneak Previews” on PBS and “At the Movies” later in syndication, Melin grew obsessed with rock n’roll and taught himself to play the drums in high school. After two years in college, he dropped out of school to pursue the rock dream when his band Truck Stop Love was signed to a major label and began touring the country. Five years later, the band broke up and Melin joined Ultimate Fakebook, touring extensively, releasing another three records, eventually signing and then losing his second major label deal. It was around this time, in 2002, that longtime friend J.D. Warnock joined the band and the idea for “Scene Stealers” was hatched on the road. Movies were high on Ultimate Fakebook’s priority list, and after each film, the catty arguing and trivial one-upmanship between Eric and J.D. would last for hours in the band’s van. In mid-2004, those heated discussions became “Scene Stealers,” a no-budget self-produced labor-of-love TV show on public access in Lawrence, KS. That TV show has morphed into Scene-Stealers.com. Now armed with a film degree, Melin has written movie reviews consistently since 2004, including print reviews for the Kansas City Star, the Lawrence Journal-World, and Lawrence.com, as well as Kansas Public Radio. In 2007, he appeared with Warnock on the VH1 show “World Series of Pop Culture,” and was a contestant on the “Who Wants to be a Millionaire” Movie Week in 2008. He is also a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle, and currently plays drums in Dead Girls Ruin Everything, whose debut record, “What a Perfect Ending,” is out now on Reignition Records.
J.D. Warnock
J.D Warnock has been obsessed with film and music as long as he can remember. To his parents amazement, he displayed an uncanny ability to sing every word to country radio (circa 1978-1980) and unnecessarily recite entire scenes from movies and television before most kids were able to sit still. He recalls watching “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at a drive-in theatre in Kansas City, Missouri from the back seat of a Yellow Oldsmobile while having his first massive reaction to a food allergy. J.D. waited to tell his parents his eyes were swelling shut until it was almost too late, because he didn’t want to miss any of the movie. Armed with the firm conviction that having an opinion could be sport, J.D. met his match when he became friends and eventually joined forces with Eric Melin. While in the band Ultimate Fakebook, their arguments and in-depth discussions at home and on tour often took the place of other in-flight entertainment. Their uncanny ability to reference obscure pop culture and get on each other’s nerves led bandmates to say (particularly after lengthy showdowns), “You guys really should have a show.”. Eric took that to heart and assembled a rag-tag band of merry-men to film and assemble the first no-budget, labor-of-love episode of “Scene Stealers.” Make no mistake, Melin did all the work and shortly before the first taping called to inform J.D. he was, in fact, now co-hosting an actual movie review show. J.D. was review editor for Mass Magazine, a short-lived Lawrence area music/art magazine in the late 90’s, and is a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle. He has released records with Means To An End, The Creature Comforts and The Blackpool Lights and toured extensively with both The Creature Comforts and Ultimate Fakebook. He is curerently pursuing a communications degree at Kansas University.
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I’m finally getting around to really digging deep into the Scene Stealer’s site, and I can’t stop reading shit!!!! I love it! I’ve seriously been on here forever today.
i’m totally addicted to you guys & this GREAT website!! i found it after i saw a certain someone on WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE! THANKS for the entertainment
Eric, I’m at work here in LA looking for Blade Runner screencaps for a presentation and end up reading the awesome list of AI films. I look up and it’s like HEY! I know that guy! Not sure if you remember me but I used to hang a bit with MaryAlice and the Krystallos/Sisters of Sound gang back in the 90’s
I really enjoyed the top ten worst husbands - I now have proof that wife does not have it all that bad. Thanks fellas. Nice website and good content. If you get a chance, check out google “coolfilmz” and take a look at my humble site.
J.D Warnock has been obsessed with film and music as long as he can remember. To his parents amazement, he displayed an uncanny ability to sing every word to country radio (circa 1978-1980) and unnecessarily recite entire scenes from movies and television before most kids were able to sit still. He recalls watching “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at a drive-in theatre in Kansas City, Missouri from the back seat of a Yellow Oldsmobile while having his first massive reaction to a food allergy. J.D. waited to tell his parents his eyes were swelling shut until it was almost too late, because he didn’t want to miss any of the movie. Armed with the firm conviction that having an opinion could be sport, J.D. met his match when he became friends and eventually joined forces with Eric Melin. While in the band Ultimate Fakebook, their arguments and in-depth discussions at home and on tour often took the place of other in-flight entertainment. Their uncanny ability to reference obscure pop culture and get on each other’s nerves led bandmates to say (particularly after lengthy showdowns), “You guys really should have a show.”. Eric took that to heart and assembled a rag-tag band of merry-men to film and assemble the first no-budget, labor-of-love episode of “Scene Stealers.” Make no mistake, Melin did all the work and shortly before the first taping called to inform J.D. he was, in fact, now co-hosting an actual movie review show. J.D. was review editor for Mass Magazine, a short-lived Lawrence area music/art magazine in the late 90’s, and is a member of the Kansas City Film Critics Circle. He has released records with Means To An End, The Creature Comforts and The Blackpool Lights and toured extensively with both The Creature Comforts and Ultimate Fakebook. He is curerently pursuing a communications degree at Kansas University.
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You guys rock! Like a bag o’ ….!!! How many more times can we “hit” your site from this computer to help your #s? : )
As many as you like, buddy. It’s all delicious.
I’m finally getting around to really digging deep into the Scene Stealer’s site, and I can’t stop reading shit!!!! I love it! I’ve seriously been on here forever today.
Very nice work guys!
How’s Dead Girls going?
See ya around.
t.
i’m totally addicted to you guys & this GREAT website!! i found it after i saw a certain someone on WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE! THANKS for the entertainment
LOL!
Eric, I’m at work here in LA looking for Blade Runner screencaps for a presentation and end up reading the awesome list of AI films. I look up and it’s like HEY! I know that guy! Not sure if you remember me but I used to hang a bit with MaryAlice and the Krystallos/Sisters of Sound gang back in the 90’s
Great to see you are following your passion! *8)
–Craig
UFB Reunion in 2009!
How awesome is Bangkok Dangerous going to be?????
sheesh I can’t wait.
I totally remember seeing truck stop love, and then UFB play in high school… with Trapper the magic keeper!
I really enjoyed the top ten worst husbands - I now have proof that wife does not have it all that bad. Thanks fellas. Nice website and good content. If you get a chance, check out google “coolfilmz” and take a look at my humble site.
Matt
where do we find pictures of you and the band with KISS?