Entrevista a Uhh Random Bunch? - Diciembre 2019

Hi, who are you Uhh Random Bunch and what instruments do you play?

Hola Hector, We are a three piece band. George P.M. on lead guitar
and vocals. Alexis "Gordo" on standup bass. On drums we have Jesus
"Chuy".

A Random Bunch! 

What is the musical genre of the group?

We play our own version of Psychobilly. We incorporate rockabilly of
course along with western, jazz, novelty rock n' roll, and strange
breakdowns.

Why Uhh Random Bunch as a name?

We all wanted to have a unique name but nothing seemed to fit a description of us. Since we have strange interests we consider ourselves "random"- unorganized in the things we like and do. We are also a bunch because we are not an ordinary group. Sometimes we invite people to play along with us. The "Uhh" replaces the "A" for A/Uhh Random Bunch and it is what we say when we don't know the answer to something :)

Where are you from?

We are from Eagle Rock, North East Los Angeles, California, USA.

When did you start playing like Uhh Random Bunch?

We started jamming out to George's Psychobilly tunes in August 2012 and we started playing gigs in December that same year.

Ilustración del 2012

Do you have other parallel bands or do you play in other bands?   

I, George, play lead guitar and sing half the songs for Radarmen. Chuy plays drums in his own (Ska, Powerviolence, Reggae, Trucha Core, and Experimental) band called J.J. Suave. They are also from Eagle Rock. All of us including Julian from Radarmen and Peachy, Psychobilly lady from LA, jam out once in a while in a project called Rumpus Time. Chuy is starting to produce and write music for different artists and rappers.

Entrevista a Radarmen - Agosto 2019

Influences?

We were inspired by many of the obscure psychobilly bands -The Skrunch, Rockin' Bones, Es Feiv, Scared Stiff, The Meantraitors, and more. Overall we enjoy all other genres of music.
Other influences would be strange sounds, the supernatural, cognitive behavioral therapy, science fiction, the subject of God, Pizza, and the past lives/customs of older generations.We have listed a variety of films we enjoy and are inspired by-A Bronx Tale, Pan's Labyrinth, The Shining, The Godfather, Midsommar, The Exorcist, David Lynch's films, and the old Twilight Zone series.

Ilustración del 2013

Are they your favorite bands?

Some bands we mentioned above are. Other favorite bands of our's would
be early Mad Sin, Sade, Nervous Norvus, Molchat Doma, The Doors,
Jamiroquai, Bauhaus, Spazz, Infest, Marty Robbins, Los Alegres Del
Barranco, and Vicente Fernandez.

Do you have something recorded? Tell us what you have. Are you going to record something soon?

We have a 5 track demo out there somewhere called the "Voice Memo Demo" that we recorded ourselves in 2013. It sounded like shit. We are trying to release an EP by early 2020. We will be using better equipment this time. Chuy will be engineering and producing it.

Los chicos de Uhh Random Bunch? el pasado Halloween con unas copias de su demo

What do your songs talk about?

Our songs consist of fables, silly stories, strange stories, life lessons, and real life accounts.

With whom and where have you played? Upcoming events of Uhh Random Bunch?

We have played many small Psychobilly shows and very legendary backyard gigs in all of Los Angeles County. We barely came back this year from a 4 year break. We are playing many cool shows the rest of 2019 and 2020 thanks to promoters Randy of Diabolic Events, Roman of Uptown Psychos, Misa Third Eye Productions, El Checko Presents, and Slapaholic Bass Rentals.

Próximo evento de Uhh Random Bunch?

Are there good bands in your environment ?

The California, USA Pschobilly scene is always fluctuating. The bands that we see that are doing well and that sound good are The Quaranteds, Radarmen, The Vectors, Cursed Bastards, The Autopsies, and the brand new band THE DERANGED.

We are happy to have played with bands that had a different sound before or bands that are not around anymore-The Grims, The Spoofs, The Curs, The Vampz, Volcanik Rockers, The Daffys, The Dead Ricardos, Tres Muertos, Cigaratz, The Fossils, Thrillbillyz, Stoneage, The Ripper Roos, and more.

Thank you very much for trusting in Sesión de Plasma webzine, we can add what you want or what we have forgotten.

Gracias Hektor por hacernos hacer una entrevista por usted. Damos gracias a Dios, nuestras familias, y a las personas que disfrutan de nuestra musica.

Viva Psychobilly de todos los areas del mundo!

Y Viva Psychobilly Latino!

Uhh Random Bunch? 

L.A. Sound

L.A. Sound

Es difícil englobar el sonido de un lugar en concreto pero a veces surgen bandas que le dan a ciertos lugares, de dónde son, un sonido. En España lo fue el Xixon Sound por poner un ejemplo y en California lo está siendo desde hace años el L.A. Sound que se extiende por todo el sur de California. Este es un sonido que se distancia del sonido Punk Californiano, del que teníamos referencias muy evidentes, pero desde la segunda mitad de los años 00s hay una escuela que parece haber mamado de los registros de Komety o de Curtains!

Es ese sonido un carismático y alegre cántico a lo juvenil y despreocupado, con cierto tinte de melancolia, que ahora pega muy bien, y con un sonido Lo-Fi y especialmente de sonido envolvente, limpio y seco, lo que caracteriza a las nuevas bandas de este sonido. A mí me recuerda un poco a los Fresones Rebeldes pero sin tanta energía. Otra cosa que caracteriza a este sonido, es lo que en el Shoegaze es mirar al suelo e interpretar estar deprimido, en el L.A. Sound parece que los intérpretes esten cansados y agotados de una fiesta que no tenía fin. Me imagino a estos grupos tocando en House-Parties, en el Backyard o en medio del salon y decenas de parejas creándose durante el show de alguna de estas bandas y es que este sonido se asemeja mucho a la sensación de estar enamorado/a también y da mucho pie a sentirte positivo, guapo, rebelde e interesante.

Este sonido reinventa de nuevo el Rock'n'Roll tal y como se a ido reinventando durante todo este tiempo, pero sin la necesidad de hacerlo más duro sino con la contracorriente de hacerlo más soft y auténtico de esos sitios donde queda muy bien este sonido tan transgresor para los tiempos que corren. Así como lo introducen algunas bandas en el Psychobilly que sale de allá cómo; Radarmen, Uhh Random Bunch, The Kit Boys o Osteoblasts, por nombrar solo a algunos, otras bandas de SoCal como The Frights o The Potential Johns explotan este sonido al máximo y hacen que la corriente, por el momento, cambie de sentido.

Ahora solo debes dejarte llevar por lo que dice tu pareja y sentir que todo va bien, aunque vaya mal, escucha este sonido y déjate llevar por la frecuencia de L.A.

Entrevista a Radarmen:

https://sesiondeplasmawebzine.blogspot.com/2019/08/entrevista-radarmen-agosto-2019.html

Entrevista a Uhh Random Bunch:

https://sesiondeplasmawebzine.blogspot.com/2019/12/entrevista-uhh-random-bunch-diciembre.html

Entrevista a The Osteoblasts:

https://sesiondeplasmawebzine.blogspot.com/2020/04/interview-with-osteoblasts-april-2020.html

Entrevista a The Kit Boys muy pronto!

Plasma

Entrevista a The Vectors por Edgar Valencia - Diciembre 2019

Con motivo de celebración, hoy podemos decir que tenemos un nuevo colaborador en SdP.
Se trata del valedor Edgar Valencia, de el sur de California y estuvo platicando un ratito largo y tendido conmigo en Pineda de Mar, en la costa catalana de España, con motivo del Psychobilly Meeting, este mismo año.
Edgar por entonces me habló de su banda de Psychobilly que se llama Lost Boys y no dude en entrevistarlos cuando tuve tiempo y predisposición.

Ver entrevista a Lost Boys aqui 

Edgar, que antes de ocuparse de la parte mas ritmica de Lost Boys había tocado en The Southern Wolves, se caracterizó, desde hace años, por ser una fuente de Psychobilly de cualquier tipo de variación, demostrando que el gusto esta en la diversidad. En su canal de Youtube podréis encontrar muchas muestras de Old School Psychobilly, así como Neorockabilly, Modern Psychobilly o como dice el...

Fuckabilly

Con su ayuda vamos a tratar de llegar a todas las bandas de Psychobilly y derivados que podamos de los Estados Unidos de América, porque ya lo hicimos con la escena Psychobilly méxicana, con la ayuda de Kat, Kumo, Lluvia, Rod, Viry y Fiambre y el bueno del Pep Rdz, como no decirlo, esta vez también nos vamos a valer de ayuda para acercarnos a los Lobos que acechan en el lejano oeste.

Ver especial Psychobilly en México aqui

Acabamos de llegar a EEUU y que mejor manera que tras pasar por los Lost Boys, Radarmen y Uhh Random Bunch? cómo los grupos que han tendido este puente entre España y Estados Unidos, sigamos conociendo tan espectaculares como The Vectors y su Rockabilly castizo mal intencionado.

Ver entrevista a Radarmen aqui

Ver entrevista a Uhh Random Bunch? aqui

Hi, who is in “The Vectors” and what instrument do you each of you play?

Watts: My name is Watts and I play guitar.

Skum: I’m Skum, I play drums.

Zeke: Zeke, I do the vocals.

Gretch: I am Andres a.k.a. Gretch and I play the upright bass. 

What is the musical genre or sound of the group?

Zeke: Early-‘80s rockabilly…uh…style.

Watts: And more rockabilly.

Zeke: (Laughs) And more rockabilly.

New-wave-abilly?

Why “The Vectors” as a name?

Zeke: That name refers to vector line graphics video games from the early ‘80s, like Asteroids and Tempest. When we started the band, I told the other guys to come up with a name, but after a few weeks, they still had nothing, so I made a list of examples just to give them some ideas. “The Vectors” was the first or second name on the list and right away they said that they wanted to use it. I tried to read them the rest of the list, but they didn’t wanna hear it. I told them that there has been at least one punk band and one garage band with the name and they didn’t care. So here we are.

Where are you guys from?

Zeke: I’m from New York…I live here in L.A. and have lived here for four years.

Skum: I’m from the Valley…Van Nuys…Born and raised.

Watts: Born and raised in L.A.!

Gretch: Boyle Heights, east of the L.A. river.

Zeke: As opposed to IN the L.A. river. 

 

When did you start playing as “The Vectors”?

Skum: I’ve been playing a year now with The Vectors. I was their third drummer.

Watts: I joined the Vectors about a year ago, I took a leave of absence and I’m back now. I answered a Craigslist ad and here we are.

Zeke: I think each of these guys is underselling themselves. I think…Skum has been here almost two years- almost the whole time the band has been together. And you been here (points at Watts)…almost a year-and-a-half.

Watts: My memory’s foggy.

Zeke: Yeah, mine too. But…whatever…We’ll figure that out later. Skum replaced two previous drummers, neither of whom lasted more than a single practice, so he is, in effect, an original. I’m a founding member of the band, been doing this almost two years. Gretch was the first guy I asked about staring the band, so he’s a founder too. 

Are any of you in other groups or projects?

Skum: I also drum for two bands…uh…One called “Tres Muertos”; psychobilly, and another one called “The Devil Wrays”; psychobilly.

Watts: I’m in a rockabilly band called “The Vargas Brothers” and a rock’n’roll band called “The Rip ‘Em Ups”.

Zeke: I got a band called “Mania” with some local punks in East L.A. I’m sure they’re nice people. 
Zeke: They’re very nice boys.

Gretch: I also play upright bass in a band called “Spectre” which is more psychobilly-influenced, we have a self-titled EP on Killjoy records.

Spectre en Killjoy Records

What are your influences? (Musical, literary, film, etc.)

Skum: I mostly listen to jazz and swing for…uh, Vectors drumming.

Zeke: What are other influences you got?

Skum: You mean specific names? Vectors. (all laugh)

Gretch: Early rockabilly, ‘60s garage, and psychobilly.

Watts: As for me, uh…all roots music in general. For this particular project I really like early-eighties/mid-eighties neorockabilly like uh...Restless, Nitros, etcetera.

Zeke: Yeah all that- Polecats, early Stray Cats…We’re not trying to sound like any of them particularly, but that is definitely…where those guys were coming from is definitely…we’re coming from the same spot. With the same sort of influences, the stuff that was around at the same time, the stuff that influenced them- the stuff that they came out of and the stuff that was around at the time, even in the popular culture…All that stuff is stuff that we feel and that influences us. But also I read a lot, write a lot, collect toys and music and other things, and a there are aspects of each of those things that influence me, but we ain’t got time to mention them all here. 
 

For each of you, what are your top three bands?

Gretch: The Cramps, Kittyhawk Bomber Billies, Torment…

Watts: Oh. That’s too hard to answer. Mainly guitar players for me, I have too many favorite guitar players. I can’t possibly have…a favorite.

Zeke: Yeah, that question is a little silly. Like, who cares? It’s not the silliest question, but it’s silly.

Skum, what are your three favorite bands?

Skum: I don’t know. I…

Zeke: Yo, you like MF Doom.

Skum: But that’s not really a BAND…

Zeke: So what?

Skum: You want psychobilly? I guess The Krewmen. I got ‘em tattooed on me…

Zeke: You got Shark Bait tattooed on you too…

Watts: Ricochets, Ricochets, aaaaaaaand Ricochets.

Zeke: Mine? I want Sigue Sigue Sputnik in there somewhere….Three of my favorite bands wouldn’t even register as rockabilly bands. I like stuff like Rudimentary Peni and Septic Death and new wave and old hip hop and hardcore, power pop…You want three favorite rockabilly bands? Charlie Feathers is on there, Johnny Burnette… Carol Burnette. (All laugh)

Zeke: Yeah. That’s a hard one to answer. It changes all the time.

Do you have something recorded and are you guys going to record something new soon?

Zeke: Funny you should ask, because we just finished doing a bunch of recording today! In our man Bobby’s studio- Minor Chord Studio. So, all the people who read this, come to California and record with Bobby. Drop everything and come here now, you humps.

Gretch: Hopefully, we’ll release something ASAP. We have options open. What do your songs talk about?

Watts: Oh, wow. Love, travel..No, I don’t know.

Zeke: You guys can put your two cents in.

Watts: You! You write ‘em.

Zeke: What do our songs talk about? Anything from emotion to…uh…monsters. (Watts laughs)

Watts: Mythological creatures.

Zeke: It depends on what we feel at the time…We try to make them not about stuff so much on the silly side.

Skum: Mostly lyrics are the last thing that we do. The music is what we write first.

Zeke: Yeah.

Skum: Lyrics come later, so I guess it depends on the mood of the music.

Zeke: Absolutely. We definitely don’t just say ‘This is what we’re gonna write a song about’ and then just make it fit the next thing that Watts comes up with or what Gretch comes up with. We write lyrics to an existing piece. “Lost In the Storm” is about being emotionally battered in a relationship, and “Untamed” is about just going out at night and wilding out. But we don’t know what they’re gonna be until the music is written. Any notable bands you’ve shared the stage with?

Zeke: Fuck, that’s a gay question. 
Watts: We’ve played with a LOT of bands. I dunno… 
Zeke: Who cares? It don’t matter what bands we’ve played with, it matters what we do…What are we gonna say? That we played with such-and-such or so-and-so? So what? There are are a lot of shitty bands playing with a lot of good ones, so who cares who they’re playing with? If you’re a shitty band you’re a shitty band and who you open for does not make you a better band. I agree.

Do you have any upcoming shows?

Zeke: Upcoming shows?

Skum: Do we?

Zeke: Actually, this is the first time in a year or so that we DON’T have anything booked. We WERE doing back-to-back gigs for a while, but we haven’t taken any shows in a month or two because we knew that we had to record and write new stuff. We are back on track, though, so we are taking bookings again now.

Any new bands emerging out of your area? In your guys opinion what is unique about the Southern California Psychobilly Scene? What do you guys think the future holds for psychobilly in your area?

Zeke: That’s a good…

Gretch: As of recent, I would say there’s been less shows than in previous years, but that hasn’t stopped more bands from popping up randomly, each with a unique sound. As for the future of the scene and the music, I have no doubt it will continue strong. I never fail to see new faces and meet new people. It’s a genre that is constantly evolving.

Zeke: Listen to you.

Skum: I’m not saying anything because will pay for saying anything. Take it away, Zeke.

Zeke: There are a few guys who I have seen improve over the years here. The Sindicates are a 100% better band than they were when I first heard them four years ago. Those guys are dope. We like The Lost Boys…They are coming from a good place and they are probably going to a good place. Grims and Peabrains are dope. Daffys would be dope if they gave a shit. But newer bands are hit or miss.

Skum: Deranged is coming up. They just got a new drummer.

Zeke: I ain’t heard them, I don’t think.

Skum: I haven’t had a chance to hear… at least a full song yet, I’ve just seen videos on Instagram. I haven’t had a chance to catch them live

Zeke: But you like what you’ve heard.

Skum: Yeah.

Zeke: Okay, dope, dope. Our boy Ben’s band Jesse & the Rock’N’Roll Three are killer. And we just saw Watts’ other band The Rip ‘Em Ups play last night at the Cochran Club and they are mint. (Guys start talking about some unrelated stuff)

Zeke: Last thing is, uh, I’ll say this about…the Southern California psychobilly scene is very active, but you gotta separate the psychobilly bands who are good from the fucking haircuts. ‘Cause you got all the “haircut” bands who just think that an upright bass and a wedge all of a sudden makes you into a good psychobilly band. But 90% of those bands are shit, because they don’t know how to write songs and they’re just about image and they’re not about sound, or quality sound, at all. You gotta have both. You gotta have everything. If you have one and not the other, well, then you’re not gonna be successful. People wanna see crazy people making good music. If you’re not that crazy and you make good music, people are gonna be like…ehhh, maybe…But if if you’re crazy and make good music, people are gonna be all about you. A lot of people (bands) think you gotta just LOOK crazy and not BE crazy and not show and prove and be a shit band and it just doesn’t matter and I’m tired of seeing shit bands- I’ve been seeing these shit bands for decades in every genre and I’m sick to death of it. There’re good bands in Southern California, there’s good psychobilly bands, but too many people just, like, latch onto psychobilly like it’s a gimmick and not a workable genre.

Watts: I agree. I concur.

Zeke: Psychobilly is big, it’s not as big as it was, but that’s because there’s not as many posers out there. People who just jumped on it ‘cause it was a new thing, and now they’re fucking Soundcloud rappers.

(Skum laughs)

Zeke: It’s not as big as it was, but it’s got a lot of potential. That’s what I gotta say about that.

The Vectors en Facebook

Interview with Randy from Diabolic Events by Edgar Valencia & Hektor Plasma

1. What was going through your mind the first moments you heard Psychobilly and what caught your attention about it?

I thought it sounded badass! I listened to The Meteors & Batmobile! I really didn’t know there was a local psychobilly scene

2. What motivated you to throw your own shows? What did you find the most difficult about them?

Ink n iron 2014 gave me influence to throw shows it was such a badass lineup My first show was a backyard & I wanted people my age or younger to show up mostly because all the good shows were 21+ Most difficult part was to make sure the event was well promoted & making sure people showed up as well as finding venues

3. Why “Diabolic Events”? Anyone helping you out?

Before Diabolic Events it was Eskabronados but I wanted a more of professional name. Thanks Edgar from (The Autopsies & Lost Boys) for making my First logo I have a few buddies In which we all help each other out like Checko, Uptown Psychos & Slapaholic

4. What were some of the first Bands to work with you?

The Grims The Dead Ricardos Radarmen The Autopsies were the first psychobilly bands I booked

5. What do you think is unique about Southern California Psychobilly compared to the rest of the world?

That it was small but everyone goes to shows for one main reason to have a good time

6. Have you worked shows out of the state? work with other local promoters?

Not yet but I’m promoting a show for Degenerated & Retarded Rats December 8 in Las Vegas I’ve worked with ska promoters to Von Badsville Checko presents Uptown Psychos & Slapaholic

7. What are some of the bands you wish you could work with in the future?

I’ve always wanted to work with Damage Done By Worms Celtix The Frogs The Rusty Robots Gorilla

8. What are some of the most memorable bands you have hosted?

For sure The Grims Radarmen The Autopsies The Dead Ricardos The Radios The Spastiks Bad Luck Gamblers Degenerated Retarded Rats Devil Wrays & all the bands in Los Angeles that have played a small show

9. What do you think the future holds for Psychobilly?

The Future is The Kids that show up to All Ages Psychobilly shows And the newer bands coming up like The Deranged & Lost Boys In my opinion it’s a very underground genre in Los Angeles but I hope it stays constant.

10. You think Southern California is able to host a “Psychobilly Meeting” type event?

Anything is possible it may never be hard to try may be expensive but it’ll be worth seeing a lot of people having a good time.

I’m Randy Padron & I’m 22 years old.

I’ve been doing shows since March 2015

Corrections:

Answer for Question 5

It is everywhere in a sense. Some people find out about psychobilly in LA, either by friends, going to a show & finding a band they like. But Los Angeles is unique to me because there’s a lot of newer bands & bands who are coming back. As of newer bands Lost Boys & Deranged. Both have great sounds. Bands who have came back or planning to would be , Uptown Psychos, Zombillyz, Los Difuntos, The Riff Raffs, Uhh Random Bunch.

Answer to question 6

I haven’t had the chance to work with promoters in other states but I’d love to, so hopefully soon

Wednesday 18th of June:

Quick question the interview will be released today?

Randy Padron Diabolic

Diabolic Events

Diabolic Events 

Diabolic Stomp 2020 

Entrevista a Radarmen - Agosto 2019

 

Hi George, we met at the 27th Psychobilly Meeting in Pineda de Mar. You spoke in Spanish with me and you have accepted that this interview is in Spanish that is easier for me to ask the questions I want to develop.

You're from Los Angeles right? How is the Psychobilly scene in your city? Can you recommend some bands from your environment? How do you discover Psychobilly and why do you decide to create your Psychobilly band?

Yes, we are all mainly from Los Angeles, California. The Psychobilly scene here at home is a healthy and thriving genre for the most part. A majority of the people here in the scene are very enthusiastic about the music. Some bands from California that we can highly recommend are groups like The Quaranteds, Cigaratz, The Cursed Bastards, Spectre, The Rhythm Reactorz, and The Lost Boys whom we are all good friends with. We also recommend other bands who are not too far away from us and whom we are also friends with such as Intrepid Mutants, Quatro, Klax, and The Humanoids. Each of us discovered Psychobilly in our own way. George picked it up from his older cousin Sammy who is the guitarist and singer for his group Badluck Bandits, Jon picked it up from his older brother Ricky who is the drummer for Gamblers Mark, and Julian picked it up from a friend in high school that he would eventually start his first band with. Radarmen has always been a hobby and a sort of personal escape for each of us.

Who are the Radarmen and what instruments do you play? Do you come from other bands? Which ones?

Formed in 2011, Radarmen are Jon on double bass and vocals; George, our second guitarist and vocals, and Julian on drums. Radarmen is a Psychobilly band that was formed by first guitarist Danny, Julian, and Jon after Danny met Jon at a Meteors show. Danny left the band in 2013 due to discrepancies and George, a mutual friend of the band’s already, would become our new guitarist shortly after one rehearsal get-together. Each of us do have history with both past and current bands. Jon originally played double bass and sang in his first band called The Cosmix before starting Radarmen. George has recently started practicing again with his band Uhh Random Bunch and plans to play a few shows soon. He is the guitarist and singer in what he refers to his: Neo-psychobilly band. Julian comes from a few number of bands from over the years playing the music. He has been the original member of two other short-lived bands excluding Radarmen called The AniManiaX, his first band, and The Kit Boys. He has joined active bands over the years as well including a group called ThrillBillyz whom are no longer together and a band that he is also currently active in called Cannibal Mad Men.

What influences does Radarmen have? Only Psychobilly or other musical, movie, plastic or literal genres?

We are influenced by Psychobilly of all decades as well as both Rockabilly and Neo-rockabilly, but our influences also range from Post-punk, New Wave, Dark Wave, Electronic, Indie, Surf, some Spanish music, and good ‘ol classic rock and roll. Our brand of Psychobilly also incorporates heavy futuristic and Sci-fi influences that stems from various space nostalgia and fiction. Being different is something the three of us really admire and take heed to as well. We always aim to produce sounds with ambience, chorus, different drum combinations, and strong bass tones all while maintaining a hint of the classic Rockabilly style. We also enjoy many Action, Drama, and Horror movies of all the decades; both American and foreign films.

When did you start playing and where have you played since then? Is there a good response from the public in your concerts?

Radarmen have been playing in backyards and small venues all around California since 2011. As the years went by we have played at much larger and stapled venues within the California scene such as venues like the legendary Spike’s Bar & Billiards, The Vex, and The Airliner that are no longer standing. We have had the opportunity to travel to Phoenix, Arizona where we performed alongside The Quaranteds, The Cursed Bastards, and Cigaratz at a small, but great bar called Chopper John’s. We were also given an amazing invitation and opportunity to headline a Mexican Psychobilly festival in the heart of México City called México Psycho for their second year in 2018. We were invited by our good friends Quatro. Another amazing opportunity that we were given was when we were invited to play the Tijuanamaniac festival in Tijuana, México alongside Demented Are Go! for the first time also in 2018. Shows small or big, we benefit from all of them. It has taken some time for us to develop the fan base that we have now and we always appreciate the large number of people that come to watch us perform. The response from the public is very good. We also enjoy performing at shows of various genres that allow us to gain a broader variety of fans.

In January 2017, the German label Killjoy Records published an EP of four songs that sound great. Can you explain what these songs are about? How and when does Killjoy Records contact you?

Anna Killjoy of Killjoy Records had contacted us late 2015 inquiring about the EP we were planning to debut. She had explained everything Killjoy Records could do for us as far as printing the sleeves, pressing the records, and doing the distributing and it was an offer that we could not refuse. It took us the following year to complete the recording process for the EP and the response has been great. Our songs discuss certain Sci-fi movie subjects and life lessons. “Invasion of the Radarmen” is a song that is a statement of the intensity of our music. “Cosmic Kidnapping,” “Interstellar,” and “End of Line” are other originals that reference the stories from movies such as Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Interstellar, and Tron.

https://killjoyrecords.bandcamp.com/album/radarmen-radarmen-kill-019

Are you in a good moment of creation or live performances right now? Do you plan to release something new soon?

Our performances and musical creation is going well. We are very thankful for the many shows we are getting booked for near and far. The feedback and responses from both our live performances and current recorded material that is out are nothing short of excellent. The current plan is to begin recording a 10 or 12 track album of all original material and have it finished and released by the end of this year. We have been looking forward to this for sometime now.

Do you think you can play at the Psychobilly Meeting one day? Who would you like to play with?

It would be a privilege to play at the Psychobilly Meeting festival. We do hope our music and fan base will take us there someday. It would be great to share the stage with Batmobile again along with the Test Pilots, The Frögs, Sir Psyko and His Monsters, and The Spastiks. Other acts we hope to play with someday are The Twilighters, The Ricochets, Mad Sin, Scabrox, and bands that just recently made a comeback such as Cyclone and The Rattlers! If Radarmen had a chance to play with groups that are no longer active, The Krewmen (original lineup), The Rapids, The Falcons, The Skrunch, Torment, and Rockin’ Bones would be at the top of the list!

You traveled some members of your band to Pineda de Mar and surely you would meet people from other bands. Can we know with which other bands you have interacted in this festival or in others in which you have been?

Julian had the pleasure of meeting and making a new friend Panu who plays guitar and sings for the Finland group Graveyard Bashers. Other artists that George and Julian both caught up with and met for the first time at the Meeting included Marco, double bass player of The Frögs, Ray of Tasteless and The Zipheads, Curtis Lee, guitarist for The Rattlers, Strangey, former double bass player of the Klingonz and Numbskulls, and The Twilighters from the Ukraine.

What would you like to say that we have not commented and have to know?

We would like to say thank you, Hektor Plasma, for giving us an opportunity to talk about our band and our view on the Psychobilly community. We thank all of our supporters who listen to and push our music and all the promoters who give us the opportunity to play. It is important to follow your passion and to be original when working on your art. Stay tuned for our debut album coming by the end of this year, 2019, with all original content. The invasion has begun...

https://www.facebook.com/radarmenband/

 

Interview with Uptown Psychos - Enero 2020

Hi, who are you Uptown Psychos and what instruments do you play?

Hello, I’m Roman Gomez I am the vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the band. Amongst the group we have Jose Torres on Drums, Andrew Pulido on the contrabass, and Johnny Pineda on lead guitar. 

Uptown Psychos is a Los Angeles based Psychobilly band. We throw many events locally in Southern California and try to keep the scene thriving. 

What is the musical genre of the group?

 To be quite honest we don’t really fit the mold to be labeled as a 100% Psychobilly band, we all play and listen a lot of different music. Our roots are definitely strongly influenced by a lot of early Punk Rock and Psycho/Rockabilly for sure. But I guess If you took a listen to us you’d agree that we have a different style compared to most of the bands in the Psycho scene. 

Why Uptown Psychos as a name?

Hugo Martinez actually came up with the name, he is a close friend of the group. In high school we had a crew/social club whatever you want to call it, and it was called Uptown Psychos. The original singer Jonathan Pinkard and myself decided to start a band after having heard bands like Demented are go, Calavera, and Os Catalepticos. Since we weren’t clever enough to think of a name ourselves we decided that Uptown Psychos was a name good enough for our band. And here we are 13 years later 😂

Where are you from?

Originally from Whittier California. 

But we are all living in different parts of Southern California. Andrew is in Commerce, Jose in Corona, Johnny in Fontana, and I’m now in Riverside. It makes things difficult since we all live apart from each other but we all make it work. 

When did you start playing as Uptown Psychos? That would be September 2007.

Do you have other parallel bands or do you play in other bands?

Andrew: Uptown Psychos, Psycho Demons, Rhythm Reactorz, No Way Jose.

Johnny: Uptown Psychos, Badluck Aces, Rhythm Reactorz, Los Pakololos.

Jose: Uptown Psychos, Sin of the Innocent, She’s a Kreeper, Wrecking Dead, Los Chilaqz.

Roman: Uptown Psychos, Resist and Exist, Corrupted Youth, Hardstride, Rhythm Reactorz, Wrecking Dead, Los Difuntos, Calavera, The Slanderin, No Way Jose, Psycho Demons and The Howlers.  Many more I can’t even remember haha. This is an on going joke for everyone, because I play for everyone and anyone. 😂

Influences? (Musicals, literary, cinephiles, etc.)

My personal influences would have to be Torr Skoog from Kings of Nuthin’ for writing some of the best lyrics and music I have ever heard in my life.

And I would say I am personally influenced by people who seek discomfort, go against the grain. In my opinion say fuck the path of least resistance, nothing has been easy for us as a band. The little we have, we have shed blood, sweat, and tears for. At the age of 16 I was sneaking into bars with a high school identification card, just to play for a group of 8 people. 4 of them being the bartenders and security, the rest being our supportive friends who were there even if we sucked. 

We’ve accomplished a lot of cool things as a band, I believe we have played as direct support or as an opening band for every single psychobilly band I own a record of. And that means the most to me, we do this because we sincerely love the music. I never want to stop doing this because whenever I needed a helping hand, music was my therapy. 

PSA (We still suck.)

Do you have something recorded? Tell us what you have. Are you going to record something soon?

We have only a handful of demos released, but the latest recording we have was done with Raul Cuellar. One of my best friends and favorite engineers. 

You can find it on almost every streaming app Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, xHamster, and I believe Pandora. 

Just type in Uptown Psychos-Had Enough and you’ll run into our music. 

What do your songs talk about?

They used to be about zombies, hotrods with zombies driving, hair grease, spider webs and cemeteries. 😅 

But now after growing up 13 years and living the life I do, and to have seen as much as I possibly can around the world. I’ve decided to start writing more personal songs. I’m currently writing a song about our borders from United States and Mexico. And another song about a friend who’s passed away. Torr Skoog really influenced the way I write, because he made me feel like it’s ok to be personal and write sincere things. Not enough bands do this anymore, and it irks me. 

With whom and where have you played? 

Our first show was at the Slam Theatre in El Monte California. The Henchmen, Goddamn Galows, and Calavera played those events. This was the earlier years of psychobilly. Where everyone actually sounded pretty unique and not like some cookie cutter assorted Meteors sound. 

We have shared the stage with a lot of really amazing bands.

Astro Zombies, Total Chaos, The Quakes, Skitzo, Los Gatos Locos, Nekromantix, and so many more. 

Upcoming events of Uptown Psychos? 

The next show we have lined up will be direct support for Torment in Anaheim. And after that I believe we will be playing with The Psyclocks from Japan. 

To keep updated on those events find us on Instagram: UptownPsychosOfficial, and you can also follow Diabolic Events and Checko Presents for the updates on the Torment and Psyclocks show. 

https://www.instagram.com/uptownpsychos/ 

Are there good bands in your environment?

Yes there is! 

Take the time to look up Radarmen, Uhh Random Bunch, Deranged, Quaranteds, The Vectors, Patient Zero and Spectre. 

And we need your support to help rebuild it! So please help promote our bands and our events. Honestly if you just keep up with our social media pages we will post all of the bands sometime or another. The Los Angeles Psychobilly is on the verge of blowing up again.

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