I was 24 yrs old when I started singing in a band......I had been writing lyrics since I was 17. My start as a musician came about in the aftermath of my grandmother's passing away. A musician friend that I had met years earlier, and had lost contact with, had been cleaning the carpets at my grandmother's house, in preparation to put the house on the market......it so happens that my dad and I have the same name, so when my dad paid with a check.....my friend recognized the name on the check, and asked if any relation to me. FUNKRANOMICON was born, and the rest is history!
What was the first concert you ever went to?
The first concert I went to was George Michael.....the Faith album tour. I believe it was '88 or '89....and I went with my step-mother Wendy, her crazy friends, and my friend Jesus Martinez. I must've been about 13 or 14.....and I remember sharing a half a wine cooler with my friend....hahaha......doesn't sound too manly....but hey, it was a first time experience. We went along for the ride!
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
First memories of my favorite music that shaped me......Journey and the Eagles. I was always into pop music....and in '84 I wanted to be Michael Jackson, Prince and David Lee Roth......Prince probably having the longer lasting influence on me....all the way through adulthood. Also, I've always had a great appreciation for Motown and the R&B music of that era.
Are you in a band? Have you been in bands?
I'm a co-founder of the bay area group known as Funkranomicon. The band was formed in '97, and a 5 year run that included, two EPs and some legendary gigs at the now defunkt Cactus Club. During a 7 year hiatus, that began in 2002, I met John Williams.....a friend and fellow musician. We played in his home studio for several years....until I got a call from original Funkranomicon drummer, Tim Welch, in the summer of '09. That moment launched the rebirth of FUNKRANOMICON....and it's being going strong every since. Visit www.funkranomicon.com for more info.
If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?
If I could jam with anyone....it would be Prince. He is truly an artist......musician, songwriter, producer, actor.....and he is one funky bad ass Mutha....watch yo mouth!
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
Well..if I had to pick one.....hmmm....Maybe the first Led Zeppelin Box Set (any disc from the set will do).....Zepp was one of the greatest studio bands ever, besides the Beatles...IMO. I could listen to that stuff over and over. A close second is the Thriller album....just because that was the soundtrack of my childhood.