Austin Butler
Retro-Rocks!
by Lynn Barker
 Cute, tall, 18-year-old blonde actor Austin Butler plays teen son Jordan Gallagher on the ABC Family series "Ruby and The Rockits" which is about the blending of two families. What would that be like when both the dads are ex '80's mega-star rocker pinup boys? Pretty wild. He was also recently in the sci-fi comedy film Aliens in the Attic.
We cornered cute Austin in Pasadena recently to ask about the series, working with co-star Alexa Vega, his recommended dating moves and his own musical talents and taste. Picture this tall hunk in a very spiffy grey suit and tie.
AGW: Hey we missed interviewing you at the press day for your movie Aliens in the Attic.
Austin: I know. I was filming "Ruby" that day.
AGW: Weren't you down in New Zealand for "Attic"?
Austin: Yeah for five months and I really got close with all the cast. Carter Jenkins is my best friend now. He's come to almost every one of the "Ruby and the Rockits" tapings.
AGW: Very cool. So were you looking for a TV show to be in?
Austin: I wasn't looking for TV. After "Aliens", I wanted to do another movie and this kind of fell into my lap. I wasn't going to go to the audition for it because I didn't sing and so I turned it down and my manager was like 'you've got to go!' So I ended up going and through the process I faked the singing and got it.
AGW: So you are now learning to sing?
Austin: Yeah. I just had to learn that the voice is a muscle and you've got to exercise and stretch it. I'm taking it one step at a time. I'm writing music just for the fun of it. It's a great stress-reliever.
AGW: What has your fave episode been so far?
Austin: There's one where David Cassidy takes me under his wing and teaches me how to be a great songwriter. I loved that. It was fun to work one-on-one with David. He taught me different tricks on guitar.
AGW: Did you know how to play guitar a little before the show?
Austin: Yeah. I've been playing guitar for about six years. I've been playing piano for a long time too.
 AGW: What storyline would you like your showrunners to create for your character on "Ruby"?
Austin: I wish they'd let me have a girlfriend on the show. We had Lucy Hale guest star and I got to have my first kiss on the show. So that was a lot of fun. Hopefully, she'll be back. If she came back, I'd be happy!
AGW: How do you feel about the '80's retro music aspect of "Ruby and the Rockits"? Like it? Hate it?
Austin: I actually really like '80's music and I love the songs that they (David Cassidy and bro) make and then watching them do the music videos are my favorite part of filming I think. It's so hilarious to see Patrick with his ripped-up British flag shirt. They are great.
AGW: What do you listen to at home though?
Austin: I have a really eclectic taste in music. I've been getting into rock lately. I'm always looking for new bands. I love blues-rock. The Black Keys are one of my favorite bands. They're got a nice blues feel.
AGW: Are you going to go film a movie on series break?
Austin: Yeah. I've got some meetings. We'll see how that goes.
AGW: What advice would you give to teen guys about how not act to get a girl?
Austin: I think the main thing for me is I've learned to not smother them. Like, you give them a little bit and then you leave for a while. That seems to work. Then they don't feel like you're super easy. If you're too easy, they don't want you anymore. Hey, that advice is for anybody.
AGW: So I guess nothing can happen between your character and Alexa Vega's on the show.. too weird.
Austin: Yeah, not unless we find out she was adopted or I was. We've become best friends. Carter is my best guy friend and I hang out with Alexa almost more than I do with Carter. We're so close now. She gives me such good advice. She's a great girl.
top picture
courtesy of and copyright ABC Family.com, 2009
bottom picture courtesy of and copyright 20th Century Fox, 2009 |
