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April 2010_june_july_2009.qxd 22/04/2010 11:26 PM Page 21 Ghostbusters 3? 21 Aykroyd taps into spirituality, legend with new vodka -- says all systems (almost a) go for 'Ghostbusters 3' Dan Aykroyd looks like a cop in a crowd of Ghost Busters, Blues Brothers and sisters. The shades are reminiscent of his famous character erstwhile Elwood Blues, but the black button-up shirt with insignia above the breast pocket and black University of Maryland Police ball cap reminds one of a police officer, secret service or DEA agent arriving to survey a scene. It makes it somewhat fitting, then, that the celebrity's first actions at the Joe Canal's Discount Liquor Outlet in Iselin, N.J., in late March include shuffling off overzealous press photographers in an officious "show's over" manner and getting a snaking line of bedecked fans moving for an afternoon of photos, ghosts communicate with the living _ a family such shows is positive. autographs, meet-and-greets _ and skull tradition covered in his father Peter's book, "A "I think it's great that people are signings. History of Ghosts," for which he wrote the employed. It's giving work to people, it's Despite Aykroyd's physical similarities forward _ and has extensive knowledge on enlightening the public and it's opening the to a police officer _ a comparison he'd likely UFOs. His openness on such paranormal topics subject up to discussion and debate." He also appreciate considering his longstanding makes it all the more engaging when he adds there is a parallel between the current fascination and relationship with law describes the pure Newfoundland deep aquifer paranormal trend in the mainstream and how enforcement agencies in the United States and vodka filtered through Herkimer Diamonds, Spiritualism was especially en vogue in the late- his native Canada _ the skulls he's signing aren't polished crystals that are supposed to emit 19th and early-20th centuries. human bones that hold forensic clues, but are positive energy. "Well now, with the digital cameras and instead connected to legend, made of glass and The positive energy is a recurring theme all the electronic voice phenomena (EVP), contain quadruple-distilled, triple-filtered, with the crystal skulls legend, which involves people now have a lot more tools to go out and additive-free Crystal Head Vodka. 13 ancient, quartz rock human skull carvings hunt this stuff. You know, virtually every county But aside from being just another that supposedly possess mystical properties in America has a ghost hunting society." premium vodka that retails for about $50 and that, if brought together, will usher in a new era, "But you know, as my dad's book points happens to come in a wicked cool glass bottle, or cause the end of the world _ possibly all out, there's always been an interest in it because CHV _ as Dan Aykroyd tells it in between each happening on Dec. 21, 2012, which of course ... it's always been a part of our existence," he Sharpie marker signature applied to fans' marks the grand finale of the Mayan calendar. said. alcoholic acquisition _ is inspired by the crystal The British Museum and Smithsonian, both of If there is such a thing as a mashed-up skull myth popularized in the last "Indiana which possess a skull, determined the objects meta-pop-culture irony, it definitely applies Jones" flick and is the imbibable incarnation of aren't as old as the tales suggests, but Aykroyd when talking to Aykroyd, a true believer in his work as an entertainer and lifelong isn't as easily convinced; he claims other ghosts and maker of supernatural spirits, yet association with the paranormal and mysticism. cultures believed the heads were "from another also the alter ego and creator of the fictional Dr. "All my life I've been giving people star, a gift from above." Raymond Stantz _ one-third of the most famous recordings, radio shows, television broadcasts, "There are some who are skeptics and paranormal investigation team in history. It only sketch comedy, film," he says. "Now I'm say they're all fakes. That's what the seems more meta after watching Aykroyd and actually making something that I can put in their Smithsonian said," says Aykroyd. "But I can't his Spiritualist father appear on "Larry King mouths _ a tangible, tactile experience." quite believe that because the Navajo spoke of Live" last October alongside "real-life" busters Launched in Southern California in them, the Aztec spoke of them, the Maya spoke Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson of "Ghost 2008 (with a viral video some were convinced of them. And they spoke of them as a very Hunters," and medium Chip Coffey of "Psychic was an elaborate joke) before rolled out to other integral part of the tribe's responsibility." Kids." regions throughout 2009, the CHV "experience" The decision to connect vodka with the For his part, Aykroyd sees a similarity is the latest endeavor of a man who has created, heads was natural, he says. After his friend and between the gadgets, the special vehicles and written and performed as several iconic renowned artist John Alexander designed the the team dynamics of the reality-TV ghost comedic characters from the past 35 years. bottle based on their shared loved of the shows and his own "Ghost Busters" characters. Since graduating from Chicago's Second City Mexican Day of the Dead, they decided to put "No doubt they're inspired by us; I think improv comedy troupe and joining "Saturday something pure in it to be "enlightened" so." But as far as his own foray into the reality- Night Live" as an original repertory member in drinkers and then trade off the legends of TV ghost genre, Aykroyd will confine his work 1975, the lines Aykroyd has penned or spoken "positive thinking and self-empowerment." to fantasy, so there will be no guest spots on the could alone fill a sizable volume of pop-culture Although it's only coincidence, the shows. quotable quotes _ and no true fan of '80s movies release of supernatural-themed booze couldn't Still, the entertainer isn't done with could call his DVD collection complete without be timed more perfectly considering the ghosts yet and he confirms there will be a third at least owning "The Blues Brothers," Trading popularity of scripted entertainment like installment in the adventures of "Ghostbusters" Places" and "Ghost Busters." And under the "Paranormal Activity" and "2012" and the glut Drs. Stantz, Venkman and Spengler. While mum auspices of his cool man-in-black alias Elwood of reality-TV shows such as "Paranormal State" on plot details, he will admit, "It's happening." Blues, Aykroyd created the House of Blues and "Ghost Lab," which are all dedicated to "We're closer now than we ever have restaurant and concert hall chain, and educated ethereal matters or paranormal investigations. been; it's a matter of a script and a screenplay." newcomers to the music genre through his However, though he says there's a big difference Aykroyd even affirms "everybody's on board" "House of Blues Radio Hour." between mediums, channeling and other for "Ghostbusters 3" and he thinks Ivan But Aykroyd is also well known as a Spiritualist beliefs he holds and "ghost Reitman will return to direct. Spiritualist who holds the belief that spirits and hunting," Aykroyd thinks the overall effect of (Continued on Page24)