RS2/Ray Stevens II-really mellow vocals,acoustic/electric guitar,KLI-beautiful voice, Djangold-acoustic/electric guitar, Brian Vega-acoustic/electric bass, Randy Fard-hand drums/drum kit, (auxillary members:Josh Hanoka-12 string/6 string electric guitar,Mike Crabtree-nylon acoustic/electric guitar, Ray Yeh-violin/mandolin,Dirtbag Dan- powerful voice, Ras Pablo Atzlan-silky voice, Waychill Saffire-beautiful voice,)
Influences
any music with real soul in it:
Soul, Punk, Classic Rock, Drum'n'Bass, Jazz, Metal, Jungle, Dub, Funky House, Underground Hip Hop, Funk, Trip Hop,Bebop,Jump up,Roots, etc. DJ HEROES: Grey V, Cutso, LTJ Bukem, Worldwise, the Turk, Katrina, RS1, Spinna, Mace (De La Soul), Krush, More Rockers, Smith and Mighty, Grooverider + Fabio, Roni Size,Patife,Jazzie B, Die, Krust, Bailey, Kemistry and Storm, Randall, Calibre, Marky,Drumagick, Doc Scott, Ease,Jazzy Joos, Harry Who?, Spun, Rhythm Kid, Robert Rankin, Spliff Skankin, Pascal, Hype,Peshay, Hen Boogie,Sweet Beets,Mr.D, etc. GUITAR HEROES: Mike Fox, Charlie Hunter, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Tom Price, George Benson,Grant Green, Tim Kerr, Ron Emory, Jonny Manak,Django,John Old BASS DUDES: Jaco Pastorius,Paul Mc Cartney,Robbie Shakespeare, John Entwistle, Charles Mingus, James Jamerson, Peter Hook, Mike Roche, Rick James, Larry Graham, Stanley Clarke, Jonathon Maron, Ron Carter, Mike Crabtree, DRUMMERS: Eric Powers, Matt Etheridge, Mark Gonzalez, Keith Moon, John Bonham, Zak Najor,Sly Dunbar, Randy Burk, Tony Allen, Keith 'Kizzy' Rendon,Clem Burke, SOUL REBELS:Thin Lizzy, 999, The Sonics, Mudhoney,Djavan,Bill Withers, Beach Boys, Stevie Wonder, Undertones, Motorhead, Fu Manchu,The Gits, Nebula, DEVO, Van Halen, old TSOL, Gories, Adolescents, Miles Davis, Pucho and the Latin Soul dudes, Soul II Soul, Roy Ayers, Chet Baker, Blacktop, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Big Boys, Los Lonely Boys,Dobie, KLF, Turbonegro, Hightower,Broun Fellinis, Misfits, Barrington Levy, Gregory Issacs, Toronado Rider, Lou Donaldson,Nightmares on Wax, Vybz Kartel,Gyptian,Army,The Damned, Dee Lite, Elvis Costello, Radio Birdman,Thievery Corporation, The Now Time Delegation, Plastic Bertrand, Parliament, The Fallouts, Warsaw/Joy Division, Prince, Freddie Mcgregor, Easterhouse, Smiths, Billy Bragg, Montrose, Led Zep, Pistols, Professionals, Slide 5, Stereolab, Slum Village, Jonathan Richman, GnR, Detroit Cobras, Greyboy Allstars, Neil Young, Kneel Olde, Gas Huffer, Shugie Otis, WHO, Chuck Fender, I-Wayne, QOTSA, Diesel Queens, The Monkeywrench, Augustus Pablo, Mad Professor, Scientist, Blondie,Kool and the Gang, Simon Townsend, Paul Weller, The Mumlers, Japan, Steve Hackett, Jason Moran, Brand New Heavies, Steve Miller,Hellacopters, King Tubby, Funkadelic, Madhouse, Charlie Parker, U-Roy, Thelonius Monk, The Odd Numbers, old Metallica, The Jam, Bow Wow Wow, The Surfaris, Ventures, The JB's, Fastbacks, Jack 'O' Fire, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye, Tony Kalife, Strunz and Farah, D'Angelo, Sam Cooke, Supersuckers, Supergrass, Creedence,Earthless, Sleep,Lowrider, etc. HOTNESSA'S:Waychill Saffire,Patrina Morris, Ella May,Debbie Harry, Aretha Franklin, Mia Zapata (forevs), Norah Jones, Kimbell St. James, Joni Mitchell, Marcia Griffith, Rita Marley, Mama T, Rosie Ganes, Charo!!! MY BANDS: Los Olvidados, Drunk Injuns, The Faction, Odd Man Out, Denny's Combo, Clay Wheels, RS2 SOLID SOUND,
Sounds Like
RS2 Solid Sound
The contemporary culmination of a lifetime of music enjoyment, Ray Stevens II’s Solid Sound echoes his life as a musician, skateboarder, producer, world traveler, and friend. With reggae beats, overtones of folk, and tons of soulful energy, RS2 Solid Sound is the perfect backdrop for skateboarding.
Ray Stevens II/RS2 has played music all his life, well, pretty much. Starting on trumpet in 6th grade, he quickly moved to electric bass. He moved through his school years playing both instruments in different bands,symphonies,stage groups and pit orchestra's and appreciating all styles of music. He always loved original music and could not hack playing in cover bands, although when he needed the work he would play in jazz combo's in fancy restaurants. In high school, his first original band, LOS OLVIDADOS took the bay area punk rock stages and basements by storm with raw suburban power. The sound was hardcore with a real base in raw and dirty rock'n'roll with an undeniable source of inspiration coming from skateboarding. The next band he would play electric bass in was The DRUNK INJUNS from North Dakota. A dark and powerful five piece that wore hand crafted skull masks and sang of darkness,despair and the end of the world. After that, the popular skate rock band, THE FACTION asked for his skills as a bass player and songwriter, working on the album 'Dark Room' the band breathed harder with fire fueled energy. Being a skateboarder since grade school, RS2 naturally took the gig and toured the country, skating and rocking. When the Faction ceased to exist, RS2 and ex Faction guitarist Steve Caballero, started a modern rock band, called ODD MAN OUT, influenced heavily by British rock. They wrote memorable songs, toured a little and broke up. After working with other groups, RS2 decided to try his hand at producing, working with Philadelphia's MC RAD producing a punk/reggae album, 'Absence of Sanity' with the legendary skate rock hit, 'Weakness' that appeared on many skateboard videos. RS2 shifted gears again, producing a mod band, THE ODD NUMBERS then starting a record label, doing road managing,booking, promoting,sound engineering and babysitting. After nine years of that RS2 put his time and work into his own skaterock band, CLAY WHEELS. With critical success the band strides forward with hot positive energy that lights up the dark venues they play in.
During all of these years RS2 has always worked on his own material that did not fit into any of these outlets. Having been blessed with intuitive musical knowledge and a touch for the delicate side of notes, he has crossed paths with independent film makers that appreciate solid sound. Having been influenced by The Beach Boys, D'Angelo, Steve Miller, Marvin Gaye, oldies and roots reggae, RS2 built a tune behind skater Ben Krahn in the documentary, 'Northwest'. The song was named 'L.I.F.E.' and showcased the maze-like Aumsville, Oregon skatepark and Ben's fluid style. The film makers, Rick Charnoski and Coan Nichols have commented frequently that the music and skating compliment each other perfectly.
RS2 recently finished the reggae tinged number, 'Keep It Hot!' adding sax and trombone to give it a real organic soulful feel. The song features a wee bit of dub styles as well, and RS2 has also worked on a 'version' with San Diego reggae artist, Ras Pablo Atzlan.
'Passion plus Action equals Anything' is one of his newest songs, that will be featured in a skateboard video that beholds the lost beauty of the legendary Vagabond Pool in Fresno. The title was discovered while reading a plaque at Orcas Island skatepark put there by Nprthwest skatepark builders who are some of his personal heroes and have the attitude that any amount of good can be obtained if you don't care who gets the credit. To be rad, just to be rad and not worry about any back patting recognition.
RS2 SOLID SOUND has also been chosen and honored to do the soundtrack music for the documentary of Tim 'BEANS' Brauch, legendary San Jose skateboarder with a super positive attitude and amazing person who passed on at 25. The world will now know who he is as the film SUPERCHARGED has made it's world premiere in San Jose in late September of 2009. timbrauch.blogspot.com
Nor Cal's sweetest voice, Waychill Saffire is featured in a few songs in the film as well, the movies theme-SUPERCHARGED and 2:22. She also sang Brazilian Hotness in a duet with RS2. Yumiko Miyagawa plays a beautiful piano instrumental of 2:22 that is also featured in the film. San Jose's powerful voice in the Fresh Coast Hip Hop community, Dirtbag Dan has also put his style on a version of Keep It Hot!' along with DJ Ishy that can also be heard in SUPERCHARGED and will be available soon. The song L.I.F.E. gets a new life as it is used to great effect in the film as well.
RS2's solo album, 'Healing Music' is still in production, but you may enjoy these compositions now.
"Olaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!! You are forever ruling styles and keepin' it soooooooooooo hot!!!! Still listen a lot to your CD ..... Muito Fantasticoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Maybe I will make it to San Jose this year ...... we can play and drink cervejas! How cool would that be! Much Loooooooooooove and big Beijoooooooooooos ..... Later sweet Skater!!!! Px
The new issue of Juice Magazine - Issue 66 - featuring ANDY KESSLER (R.I.P.) skating the streets of NYC on the cover (Photo by Ivory Serra) is available now. www.juicemagazine.com.
JUICE MAGAZINE ISSUE 66 features:
ANDY KESSLER interview by STEVE OLSON BEBE BUELL interview by STEVE OLSON BOOTSY COLLINS interview by STEVE OLSON CRAIG JOHNSON interview by JIM MURPHY FRITZ MEAD interview by JIM MURPHY KALANI DAVID interview by JAY ADAMS MIKE WEED interview by STEVE OLSON NATAS KAUPAS interview by STEVE OLSON OMAR SALAZAR interview by STEVE OLSON PAUL SCHMITT interview by STEVE OLSON PETER GUNN interview by MARK "RED" SCOTT and THE CONFESSOR ROB PALMER interview by JIM MURPHY SCOTT CAAN interview by STEVE OLSON JACK GRISHAM of T.S.O.L. interview by STEVE OLSON TIM JACKSON interview by AARON MURRAY WADE SPEYER interview by JIM MURPHY YANIV EVAN interview by STEVE OLSON VENICE SK8 WALL OF FAME features interviews with AARON “FINGERS” MURRAY, BART SARIC, BOB "THE BULLET" BINIAK, C.R. STEYCK III, CESARIO “BLOCK” MONTANO, CHRISTIAN HOSOI, CHUCK KATZ, CRIS DAWSON, DANNY BEARER, DOUG SMITH, ERIC “TUMA” BRITTON, ERIC DRESSEN, GEORGE WILSON, GER-I LEWIS, JAMES "RED DOG" MUIR, JEFF HO, JOEY TRAN, JOSH “BAGEL” KLASSMAN, LANCE LEMOND, MARK MUNSKI, JAY ADAMS, JEF HARTSEL, JESSE MARTINEZ, KELLY JACKSON, PAT BAREIS, PAUL CONSTANTINEAU, PAUL HOFFMAN, PEGGY OKI, RAY FLORES, SKIP ENGBLOM, SUSANNE MELANIE BERRY, TIM JACKSON, WENTZLE RUML IV, WES HUMPSTON.
"Olaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Raddest of the Rad!!!!!! So pleased to hear you are rockin' out hard..... Wish I was there Much Love and Bejinhooooooooos Always Love your musica! Later skater!!!!!!! Px
"Olaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" Buzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!! Sending Big LOOOOOOOOOOOOVE to you and your Mom ... Oneday would love to come play with you and your SUPER RAD Band!!!! Forever LOVIN' your style!!!!! Bejinhoooooooooooooooooos Px
"Olaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa" my fav skater!!!!!! Muito Obrigado....So pleased to hear you play lots of shows and skating sounds wonderful wish I was there ..... Rad, Awsomeeeeeeeeeee and HOT!!!!!! Lovin' your Vibezzzzzzzzzzzzz Mucho Love and Beijooooooooooooooos Px
