Age: 52. Lives in: Uptown. Occupation: Manufacturer/owner, Z.Vex Effects.

Q: You sell hand-painted guitar pedals through your company Z.Vex Effects. Where did that idea come from?

A: In 1995 I was unemployed and built myself a guitar pedal on my kitchen table for fun. I painted it and took it to Willie's American Guitars to show it off. They placed an order immediately. I was surprised -- I had never considered manufacturing them.

Q: Who are some of your celebrity clients?

A: The Edge, Jack White, J. Mascis, AC/DC, Bill Corgan, Joe Perry, Trent Reznor, Black Eyed Peas and Beck, to name a few. Noel Gallagher gifted one to Chris Martin.

Q: We hear you're an electric dragster enthusiast. Are you competitive or do you just do it for kicks?

A: I've built up a million-watt car with my girlfriend Stella Kostolna and some buddies, and Stella and I plan to break the quarter-mile record for the National Electric Drag Race Association's XS/A3 class this month in Phoenix. We also drag race my Tesla Roadster Sport as often as we can.

Q: You're also a big road tripper. What's your ride?

A: Stella and I have nearly completed a pilot for a reality TV show called "Electric Trippers." Stella wrestles a giant and a little person, and we shoot guns and milk cows and race 750-horsepower gas cars in the Tesla.

Q: What's the best day trip in Minnesota?

A: Ann Bean Mansion in Stillwater is great, but it's booked way in advance. Whistle Stop Inn in New York Mills is a long haul, but totally worth it. Lately I've spent my weekends at my own log house near Caledonia.