Interview with Chewbacca's, a band from Valencia (Spain)
Instrogalactic surf
Sharawaji Records
What year was the band founded?
1997
How many members in the band and who are they?
There are three members in Chewbacca's
Rollin Ricardo - Guitar, Zakarias Splint - Bassand e-Genius - Drums
How did you meet each other?
We like to say that we met by chance in a lost star of the constellation Canis Minor although we actually met in high school.
What made you first want to be a musician?
For the 2 founding members of the band, Zakarias and Rollin, it was a late calling. We always liked music and we shared the same tastes and that's how the idea of creating a band was born.
Where did the idea to form a surf band come from?
We have always shared very varied tastes when it comes to music. We came to surf music through an unconventional path, not from the classics but from Man or Astro Man? From that point on we made a journey back to discover the classics of the genre without losing sight of the new variants that were emerging in instrumental music. We have always been attracted to science fiction, B movies and we always believed that this type of music was the ideal platform to string together all our paranoias.
What are the influences of the band?
I think our main (and obvious) influence is Man or Astro Man? . We could also talk about Sonic Youth, Pixies, Fender Four, Dick Dale and many many others.
How did you describe the band when it first started?
I think that like all beginnings a bit chaotic, looking for an own identity and fighting against the stigma of instrumental music. In those years in Spain there were hardly any instrumental bands and it was very difficult for people to connect or understand what we wanted to do. The truth is that we did not care since we were clear about the way forward. With the original line-up we had the first years of creative explosion, creating and exploiting our own language. They were very productive years where we grew as a band and we got to be able to play frequently around Spain. Right now is a different time. We are enjoying this stage of maturity a lot, working more on the sound we are looking for, on the arrangements and on nuances that previously did not concern us so much. The idea remains the same, 3 friends who share a very personal project and who enjoy creating new songs.
What is your purpose as musicians?
It may sound cliché but our intention is to enjoy rehearsing, playing and when it can be played live. That's all!
Tell us about some other great bands in your local scene?
In Valencia we would like to highlight Mamvt i Llobarros, two groups with a very personal vision of instrumental music and with whom we love to play. In Spain right now there is a great instrumental music scene with bands like Durango 14, Winston Lobo, Longboards and many more.
Tell us about music venues in your local area?
In Valencia we highlight 16 Toneladas above all. A great club in which to spend an incredible night!
When was your first gig?
In 1997 or 1998 in a pub we used to go to frequently. An absolute disaster even though we had a blast
What gear do you use?
Guitar: Fender Jazzmaster and Charvel Surfcaster, Fender Twin Reverb. Bass: Hagstrom H II
Tell us more about your reverb tank
Right now I'm using Catanlinbread Topanga as the main reverb, although I've also activated the amp's own. Of all the reverb pedals I have used, I find this to be the most versatile, and I have tried quite a few. It doesn't have a 100% purist sound but I love the options it offers. Even so, I am in the process of searching for a tank, although the truth is that every time I try to carry the minimum equipment possible.
What effects are used on the guitar?
Voodoo Lab Tremolo, Catalinbread Topanga, Catalinbread Echorec, and a valve booster designed and built by our trusted luthier, Bull Skull. Zakarias uses Bigg Muff for bass.
What type of strings do you use?
D'Addario 11-49
Which brand of instrument are you most passionate about:caption
Fender, fender and fender!
Recent gear purchased?
I just added Catalinbread Echorec to my collection. I have removed a delay and a fuzz from the pedal chain and replaced them with the Echorec which has many customization options to achieve a new type of sound that I have been looking for for a long time. Being a single pedal with echo, fuzz and modulation, it will make it easier for me to use it live. I love researching pedals before purchasing and this has been a long search.
What music is inspiring you at the moment?
On a personal level I would highlight: La Luz, The Blind Shake, Guantanamo Baywatch and some groups that have nothing to do with the music we make like Portugal The Man, Django Django, Alt-J ...
When did you make your first recording?
We recorded the first EP in 1999, Zenon
Describe the bands creative process
I think we have always been a very demanding group with the songs that we end up playing live. Many ideas end up in the bin and few ever see the light of day. We start from an initial idea (melody, chord progression) and look for the most coherent way (according to our criteria) to give it continuity. It is usually a long process and to put a song on a record you have to spend a lot of time testing to adjust different parts.
Tell us about some challenges surf bands face in the music industry
I think the music industry and surf bands are concepts that don't converge right now. As we have mentioned before, our goals are very modest and do not go beyond continuing to enjoy while we create songs and we can make noise while they pay us something!
How can people support you as a band?
Coming to our concerts, buying our music or just listening to it on Spotify or different platforms.
Where can we buy your music?
https://www.chewbaccas.net or https://chewbaccas.bandcamp.com/
How can people book you for an event?
Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Thanks for talking to us today, for more interview please visit https://dripfeed.net/surf-band-robo-interview/interviews.html