The man behind the woman behind Visqueen's new album

Rachel Flotard, one of the wittiest women in local music and frontwoman for Visqueen, shared some anecdotes about her father, who was the inspiration for her new album "Message to Garcia":

Q: It sounds like you and your father were each other's biggest fan and supporter.

A: It's funny, sometimes you end up compartmentalizing yourself for certain people, and become exactly whom they want or need. My dad and I were exactly who the other wanted and needed to be with. He was so damn funny, and could always make me laugh as mad as I would get at him.

Like when he stole some crappy tanning cream out of my bathroom "to moisturize" and I ended up rushing him to the hospital for jaundice. Good times, and bravo to the real Jan Brady in me who got suckered by tanning cream.

Dad moved around pretty well his first few years living here, about the time "King Me" came out (2003). He used a cane to truck around our neighborhood, and wore a size billion Wu-tang Clan sweat shirt. He did not know what Wu-tang was, but looooved comfortable sweatshirts.

He did not understand the PCC. It was like no N.J. supermarket he was familiar with. They had no smokes, and turkey sausage was a crime against nature. My sister and I loved little things like that. Anyway, he and I had some pretty "Odd Couple" moments as roommates, there were times I wanted to defect, and I'm sure he wanted to be 30 years younger and back on the streets of Manhattan with a healthy body.

There was never a pity party or a complaint out of that guy, despite the hundreds of needle sticks and an unavoidable fate. He kicked ass, felt loved and wanted me to try and make a good life going forward. So I am.

Q: You're a wonderful writer. Would you ever consider writing a memoir, or does your music act as a continuous one?

A: Yes. I'm writing "Flotard The Musical." I've already done some casting for the "early years" segment. Ben will be portrayed by either Judge Reinhold, Christopher Walken or Valley-Girl era Nic Cage. Kim Warnick by Lily Tomlin and Tootsie.

Rachel Shimp, special to The Seattle Times