Racerxband

[zkeys]

Oh, so I am visiting a drumming forum that I frequent and see this link

http://ghostnote.net/vbforum/showthread.php?t=18570

An then I get nosy and check out the racerxband website and Ken is pictured on the home page with the lead singer from Ugly Kid Joe, who I used to listen to a little back in the day. Then, looking around the site I see that Scott Travis is pictured on this site as well.

So, Ken, what is your connection with RacerX? Just kinda curious as the back story. Being a drummer myself, any connection with any major touring artist is kinda interesting.

Thanks,
Zack

[Ken]

Well...if you look at the Rider page..you'll see Scott there and in some of the trip photos. You'll also see Jeff Martin...

Racer X was my favorite band in the 80's. I play guitar...Paul Gilbert = God. I had delusions of being a metal head...then I saw Paul play in 87...and quit.

Years later, in 2000...I emailed them after releasing Technical Difficulties and asked if they needed help for a website. They said yes....Years of talking to them...Jeff and Scott are good friends...Scott bought a place out in Citrus Heights and a motorcycle to go riding. Jeff lives near the Rubicon exit in Tahoe. Paul lives in LA...and so does John Alderete from the Mars Volta.

[zkeys]

Cool man! Just curious.
Thanks,
Zack

[Ken]

No worries.

Here's the song they wrote using that prank call.


http://www.racerxband.com/audio/eviljoesh.mp3

[zkeys]

That is pretty good stuff. Being a Mid-Western boy I had never heard of RacerX. I am now going to have to pick up some of their stuff.
Thanks Ken,
Zack

[Ken]

Amazon is your best bet. I have links to them all, on the Music page. The order to get is Superheroes, Extreme Live Volume I & II, Second Heat and Technical Difficulties...and then the rest.

Yeah...they were an "LA" band...never got signed to a major label until 1999, when Universal Japan signed them...but that was only for Japan. Most guitar players find them, through Paul Gilbert. Their older 80's CD's...Second Heat and Live Extreme Volume are the gold standard for dueling guitar solos with Paul and one of his MIT(GIT) students, Bruce Bouillet...the only band that came close, was Cacophony.

When Racer X broke up (Paul left to Mr. Big with Billy Sheehan), Jeff had been friends with Rob Halford. When Dave Holland left....Jeff told Rob about Scott. Scott was a huge fan, and earlier had given Priest his tape at a concert in Virginia when he was 16 years old and had even thought about bringing his drumset and setting it up in the parking lot at the arena. So joining Priest for him, was a lifelong dream.

Check out the videos....There's a good one of Scott that I shot from behind his kit in 2004.

[zkeys]

Well, I have pretty much just popped a musical chubby. The vid with Scott behind his set is pretty sweet. You never get to see that view, especially behind Judas freaking Priest!! and especially not at Ozzfest. I also caught the pics of you guys at the The Atomic Punks, and the vids of Jeff singing with the Punks. I am of the opinion that the Punks might actually be better than the real Van Halen!! Except for Alex of course . I have a pretty cool vid of the Punks doing Hot for Teacher live on my Myspace page. http://www.myspace.com/zkeys29 Send me a friend request if any of you have a page. The last name is "keys" had to set it to private, I was getting to many requests from horny 18 year old girls.....and boys.
Zack