By : Ever aka Agent Emerson
Happy Friday! Why so happy you say? Well first off you are healthy enough to be on here reading this, right? Secondly, I have about 3 pints of booze in me… so that’s as far as my explanations are gonna go tonight.
This is going to be the first in a series of “getting to know you” interview posts with each Fatima member. Even if you’re familiar with our music… Even if you’ve seen us live… Even if you’ve partied with us… Even if you know us personally… Even if you if you know a member in the “biblical” sense… this will give you a little more insight as to how each band member ticks. Everyone loves to get behind the scenes on, well, pretty much anything you goddam gossips! We’re pretty far off from a Vh1 behind the music special, so this will have to do for now. Like I said this will be the first in a series, so if you guys have any questions that you would like answered in future posts please email us.
Now for your reading pleasure, here are some questions answered by a true gentleman, charlatan, cannabis connoisseur & founding member of the band… the illustrious Rudy aka El Rudo aka Agent Robin aka BombFu
What instrument(s) do you play?
Bass, Keyboards, Piano & Drums (when Victor let’s me at rehearsal)
How/when did you first start playing music?
I’ve always had a passion for music, but before I played all I did was skateboard. I never really thought of playing bass, let alone playing in a band. Cesar, who I have known since high school, brought up the idea of starting a band. I told him I had no experience with music, but he said that was fine and that he’d teach me. I said yes and we went to the store & bought a $14.95 teach me how to play bass book with cd. (laughs) He gave me an old bass that he would use when he played in local bands and I started practicing. I haven’t stopped since.
What kind of gear do you currently use?
I use a Fender/Squier P-Bass, Gallien Krueger head with 4×10 & 1×15 cabs, Korg DTR1 Rack Tuner, Shure PGX14 Wireless & Rotosound Strings.
How/when did you join Fatima?
Like I mentioned before, I’ve been in Fatima since the beginning. I couldn’t really tell you when it started, it’s been way to long. (laughs)
What was the first show you played with/as Fatima?
Wow, that was a long time ago. First show ever was at a place called Salon Corona. I don’t remember somewhere in LA county for sure. (laughs)
It was in North Hollywood.
That’s right!
Out of all the shows you have played, do you have a favorite or one that sticks out among all others?
It’s really hard to pick just one, but it would have to be our Hard Rock Cafe show in Guadalajara, Mexico. We had just barely made it there on time, after a 6-7 hour bus ride from Mexico City. We got off the bus, grabbed all of our gear, split in to a couple of cabs & drove about 80mph to the venue, only to get to there & find out we play in 15 minutes (laughs). We hauled all of our gear into the venue, which was in a mall, along with our luggage & bags and on our shoulders since we didn’t have time to go to the hotel. Everyone is tired, hasn’t showered & is feeling like crap right? But as soon as we hit the stage I felt like we just exploded. I couldn’t tell you where all that energy came from, but it was there. That was an awesome feeling. To do a show like that again would be awesome, but yes, just without the long bus ride (laughs).
What is the funniest tour story you can remember (and can discuss without getting in trouble)?
(laughing) Theres just so many. I don’t know where to begin, but here we go. There is one story that comes to mind right away. It’s when one of our drunk homies (who will remain unnamed) was in the tour van with us & decided it’d be funny to take his underwear off & toss it around the van. This was without taking off his pants by the way. (laughs) He just ripped them off completely and started throwing them at everyone in the car. I even think he put them on someone’s face…. oh yeah MY FACE THAT FUCKER!!
That’s right. We even had to pull over because I started throwing up!
That shit was hilarious.
What musicians/bands/artists have influenced you the most musically altogether?
Dude there’s so many. Off the top of my head I would have to say At The Drive In, Sparta, Emery, Bayside. But really all types of music. Genre’s from Los caminantes to Sade. I just love music!
What band(s) are you currently listening to?
Right now I am listening to the new Emery and Silverstein albums. Also a lot of oldies. Not gansta oldies, but like malt shop 50′s oldies. You know the good ones.
So no memories of El Monte or Art Laboe Oldies?
I’m down with those too. I am from east los. (laughs)
What was the last show/concert you went to?
The last show i went to was probably Bayside at the Henry Fonda theater.
Oh, you mean the one where you got hammered and spilled beer all over yourself?
(laughing) No comment.
Cesar & Rudy with Anthony Raneri (singer from Bayside)
Aside from playing music, what other activities/hobbies do you like to do?
Right now, I’ve been playing a lot of golf. I just started playing in a softball league on Fridays too.
Like a serious league, or one of those beer leagues where you have a cooler in the dugout?
(just smiles)
What do you want people to know about the new music Fatima is writing?
What can I really say. hmm. Well you will really hear the change in it, like the the maturity. But you will also feel the swift kick to the face when you hear the energy in the songs and emotion that is put into it.
Just for fun… answer with the first thing that comes to mind!
Without music I would be : single and probably at a bar trying to score.
Music is : emotion.
My music makes me feel : good.
I write/play music because : i love it.
You should support music because : it supports you.
