Robbie Jalapeno & The Fabulous Band of Faceless Bureaucrats

A few words with Robbie Jalapeno (of Robbie Jalapeno & The Fabulous Band of Faceless Bureaucrats fame). Robbie is the songwriter, plays guitar and sings the songs.

Leicester Bangs: Tell us a little about yourself, and your band.
Robbie: I've been playing music many years now. There is a story doing the rounds that I had a misspent youth playing in drug-crazed Mariachi bands around less-respected establishments before having something of an epiphany and getting involved in some more, let's say, artistic endeavours.

There are some kernels of truth in this story, but for the most part, it's a complete fabrication!

The Fabulous Band of Faceless Bureaucrats evolved throughout 2010 through my quest to find the right platform for my lyrics.

The lineup features a band of professional musicians from all walks of life, whose busy schedules have meant that we have yet to appear twice with the same lineup!

Players have sprung from the classical realm, alternative independent bands, show bands and even musical theatre.

I'm amazed at the array and diversity of talent, which has condescended to play with me. I think it's needed because; I do have a penchant for continually changing the arrangements to songs, sometimes as we play them on stage!

LB: How did you start out making music?
Robbie: I have to say I was drawn to it. I played trumpet in the high school concert band, but things never took off until I picked up my brother's electric guitar. Songwriting followed almost the next day and, well... here we are...

LB: Who did you grow up listening to and how do they influence what you’re doing now?
Robbie:I grew up listening to independent bands from the post-punk era. The Triffids, The Saints, The Go-Betweens, The Birthday Party / Bad Seeds, The Smiths. On the more popular side, there was The Cure, early U2, Rolling Stones, Elvis.

When I got a bit older, I ventured down the blues road - back in time to Robert Johnson and later Elmore James, Muddy Waters, Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and so on. Like a musical history. I think as I matured I got more into songwriters like Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan and through them, rediscovered a lot of the stuff I'd liked earlier, like the Triffids and the Go-Betweens. Out of nowhere also came the Velvet Underground - I couldn't leave them out! I think all of this stuff spills out somewhere or other in my music - keep an ear out!

LB: Tell us about your latest release.
Robbie: The band have recently recorded and released two singles, 'Far Horizons' and 'Nosferatu'. The first of these is the initial release of our forthcoming album, ‘Songs About Nothing’, which we are recording throughout the early part of 2011.

Both are currently available on iTunes ...

LB: Do you get out and play your music live, and if so, what can an audience expect at one of your shows?
Robbie: Yes we play live. Like I said, we haven't played with same lineup twice, which means every gig is different. The main aim at a Bureaucrats' gig is not to perform to, but to connect with, an audience.  I see music as a medium of communication of ideas, feelings meanings. It's an art form. I guess we're 'arty' but not 'farty' - we've still got killer grooves and rampantly talented musicians!

LB: What aspects of playing and recording music do you most enjoy?
Robbie: Playing. Playing. And playing. Everything else serves the purpose of allowing us to do the above as often and as much as possible.

LB: Where can people find (and buy) your music?
Robbie: Here:

http://thebureaucratsmusic.com/
http://itunes.apple.com/au/artist/robbie-jalapeno-the-fabulous/id405309065?ign-mpt=uo%3D4
http://www.cdbaby.com/Artist/robbiejalapenothefabulousbando
http://twitter.com/ - !/robbiejalapeno
http://www.facebook.com/robbiejalapeno
http://www.sonicbids.com/epk/epk.aspx?epk_id=123146
http://www.myspace.com/robbiejalapeno

WANTED MAN