One summer day, back in the year 2001, I was walking down the boardwalk at Coney Island when I ran in to the great guitar player Keith Streng, from 'The Fleshtones'.
The Fleshtones and my band
Los Dudes had played some gigs on the same bill over the past few years, back when we were signed to the 'not so great' record label Republic Records.
The other members of Los Dudes and I always had much respect for the Fleshtones and appreciated the exposure their huge fan base offered. They were the best live act I had ever seen.
Keith asked me when Los Dudes would be playing again.
I told him that the Dudes were done. I explained that the boys in the band didn't see eye to eye anymore and that I was currently without a band.
Keith told me that he would be glad to play guitar in something new, I accepted and asked him if he knew of any bass players. He said he would ask Ken Fox, the renowned and seasoned bass player of The Fleshtones, if he would like to play.
The next thing you know, the three of us were at Coyote Studios, where the critically acclaimed Los Dudes C.D. had been recorded, by the genius producer, Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, learning songs from my just released Artmonkeyrecords solo C.D. 'Sadderdays', produced by the equally genius producer Paul "Ena" Kostabi.
Things were shaping up for the new band, but we still needed a drummer. Where would we find the magic drummer?
Ken Fox had a drummer friend, who he had always wanted to play with. He gave him a call and the phenomenal drummer Mark Brotter (from the bands Matt Keating and Hem) soon joined the band.
I borrowed the name from the movie La Bamba. It's from the scene in the movie where Richie Valenzuala's mother is driving around in an ice cream truck promoting her sons gig, saying ,"Come see 'Richie Valenzuala and his Flying Guitar' tonight at the V.F.W. lodge'".
We have one release, 'Jesse Bates and his Flying Guitars Live at the Lakeside Lounge' and will be releasing a studio C.D. April 20,2008.
Dave and I were talking the other day about how you share gastrointestinal issues. I guess when you're roommates for a long time, you become like brothers.
That was a great time at Lakeside on the 22nd. Just like old times....so much so that I almost shit myself after the show. Looking foward to the next one. Oh, and thanks for the tambourine.
Agreed. Reagan was Ghandi compared to the VP. At that time I felt songwiters (1986) should also be Historians, and I called it as I saw it. Families were seperated, and abuses at the border were widespread. They're were better leaders available to us, but we settled for him. And now we settle for these neo-cons, who are far worse.
We must! So glad ya found me this way, also so pleased to hear your playin agin w/keith n the others... howz Valentine's Day for you? (just kidding -- but perhaps sometime next week?) keep in touch, Jesse...
