Red Earth - Ira Wilson (voice/guitar) and Jeff Duneman (drums) responding to an e-mail interview.
1) Describe your sound.
It's "Tribal Stew." Imagine Fishbone, Metallica, Bob Marley, The Meters, Chico Science & Nacao Zumbi, Johnny Cash, Spook & the Guay, Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Reverend Horton Heat, XIT, James Brown and Sly Stone mashed together by some mutton-eating rez kid who became a world-traveler, speaking Portuguese and Indin' together in a strange but damn tasty jambalaya. Hajiilula!
2) How do you feel about the competition so far?
It has been very cool. The New Mexico Showcase is an amazing idea, and long overdue. It's really hard to get any press or hype or support for a local band here, which is why you pretty much have to leave to have a shot at playing music for a living. So it has been great to be involved and have people digging the new songs.
We're trying not to look at the "competition" as much as the fact that these have been great shows. In each round we've played, we've been real impressed with the other bands. There are some great musicians here, so we're not surprised by anyone in the finals. We're just excited to also be playing, 'cuz this has been quite a year for the band - a lot of ups and downs. But we've been able to come back from all of it and here we are.
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We're too old to be nervous! We're just psyched to have the chance to bust our new songs before we go back into the studio next month!
3) Who are your influences? Name a local band you would go see on a Friday night.
We're influenced by everything from pow-wow tunes to Brazilian jams to '80s metal to '70s funk to smooth jazz. (See question one).
We've been bros with Stoic Frame since way back in the day when we both played at the Wine Cellar. They're representing 'Burque great out in L.A.
Native Roots also represents for New Mexico all across the country.
4) What's the worst thing that ever happened during a performance?
Ira getting electrocuted by a bum mic, twice. And getting a Brazilian drum stolen after the Electric 49!
5) If you were stuck on a tour van for months, what items could you not do without?
Bud Light, Dapper Dan, a big stack of CDs and a phat sound system bumping the bass.
6) Finish the sentence: If my band were a type of food, it would be . . .
A big, greasy, honey-dripping FRYBREAD!
