LA.CityZine brings you LA band, Regime Noir, as a part of our “Get to know your LA Bands” series, and trust me these guys are a great representation of a real Los Angeles band. I would like to try a describe them but I think they do it best when they say “Regime Noir is reflective of the city of Angels. No, not Hollywood, or the Westside, but true Los Angeles. They are born from the dystopia found in the streets of downtown and East LA, where a sound is formed in the garages, backyards, and living rooms outside of the glitz and glamour.”
The band is made up of Israel Ramirez (vox, guitar, percussions), Chris Conde (bass, percussion, keyboards), and a rotating drummer, and they describe their music as fierce, loud, rhythmic Latin flamenco punk and have a lot of interesting things to say about their music and Los Angeles. LA.CityZine was lucky enough to get to talk with the two main members of the band, Ramirez and Conde about their music, Los Angeles history and politics, and a whole lot more.
The band will be playing in Irvine, July 3rd at Hellfish Warehouse and you can purchase their album “Native Stranger” from their MySpace page. Keep reading for their interview and video of them playing live!
Do you feel that history and/or politics have an affect on your music?
Chris Conde - Well, I think history has a focal point in our music. Not only does the sound reflect sonic styles of the past, the lyrics are deeply tied into awareness of where we’ve come and what we hope to learn from, in order to progress in the present and future. Politically, we’re not trying to be overtly sensational or reactionary through our music. I wouldn’t say that we have a particular political ideology or agenda to push, but I think we attempt to stress awareness if nothing else; awareness of the world outside of myspace, or Los Angeles, or California, or even this country as a whole. We’re certainly not trying to condemn anyone for having particular beliefs per se; we just want people to approach their ideas and beliefs from a completely holistic point of view, where every sentiment and viewpoint is considered.
Do you hope to have any effect on the current political situation with your music? If so, how?
Chris Conde - I’m not particularly sure how we can have a direct notable effect on the current political climate of our country, but we can definitely speak for change in a pragmatic way. We’re not going to go out and stress radical revolution or widespread social upheaval. We’re just going to speak to what we know and what we believe, while commending action and cognizance over intention and passiveness. People are certainly free to listen, and conversely they’re free to ignore as well.
What is your favorite era to look back on? Why?
Chris Conde - I would say that the 1980’s is my favorite era to look back on, because it’s was the era of my youth. It’s was a time of simplicity and freshness, where the ideas and thoughts of the world around me hadn’t quite hit me yet. I didn’t have to worry about the implications of the Cold War, the growing industries of consumerism and self-absorption, and what would happen to me ten years from now. All I had to worry about was Legos, BMX bikes, and Transformers. I’m not saying that I hate being an adult or that the world around me is a soul crushing place, but for some reason, things just made more sense to me back then.
Also, how does the History of LA play into your songs?
Chris Conde - So far, we haven’t thoroughly explored the specific history of our city in our songs (i.e., water politics, ethnic enclaves, civil protest, LAPD, etc.). However, we’re working on new stuff that definitely touches on certain topics that have recently interested us (i.e., the gentrification of the Echo Park area). Mostly we’ve just used our personal histories, culture, and experiences as natives of this city to influence how and what we write about.
What/where/who do you think is the real heart of LA?
Chris Conde - I’m not sure that the real heart of LA can specifically be pinpointed to one quality or aspect, or location. I would like to believe that the heart of this city comes from the good that people do in the streets everyday, from Downtown, to Boyle Heights, to Westwood, Santa Monica, Glendale, and beyond. I think the real heart exists in those who have a great passion for Los Angeles, native or not; people who know the difference between Los Angeles and Hollywood. If there is one thing that Israel and I try our hardest to express, it to get people to understand that Los Angeles is NOT Hollywood, and vice-versa. I think too many people pass judgment on this city, given what they see on TV and in film. I don’t know where that LA exists, but I don’t want to be a part of it. Ultimately, I think if you can drive from South Gate to a Dodger game, eat in Little Tokyo once in a while, and read a book in Pasadena (and love every minute of it), then you’ve tapped into the real heart of Los Angeles, at least a little bit
How did you come up with the name for your band? How many names did you have to go through before deciding on this one? What were come of the other contenders?
Israel Ramirez - Being a big military history buff I had to reference that. Also all this talks about bad regimes in the world (Korea, Iraq) made for a good name that tells people we are aware of world issues. Some runner ups were Black Market and Beat Renegade.
Chris Conde - I think we were just running through different possibilities, and that seemed to work best. It kind of made the most sense to us. I think some other possibilities were ‘Beat Renegade,’ and ‘Noiregime,’ but we didn’t think anyone would understand the latter. Some people still don’t understand our name now.
How do you get ready for a live show?
Israel Ramirez - Panic, hyperventilate, and go into the bathroom and scream at the top of my lungs.
Chris Conde - Play Rock Band, and watch Metalocalypse or Flight of the Conchords.
What’s your favorite song to play live?
Israel Ramirez - “Struts and Blades” because of all the hand percussion and crowd interaction we do.
Chris Conde - “Struts and Blades.” It’s probably the song that best incorporates the essence of who we are as a band. Plus, I get to play claves and timbales on that one.
If you could rid the world of one song, what would it be?
Israel Ramirez - Good Charlotte’s “Lifestyles of the rich and the Famous”
Chris Conde - Wonderful Christmastime,” by Paul McCartney. I don’t want to get into it. I have my reasons.
What’s your most memorable experience on the road story?
Chris Conde - Probably coming back from a show in Eugene, Oregon to play a show Downtown in Little Tokyo. We drove 16 hours straight or something like that. Pretty fun, but pretty surreal at the same time.
Quick Fire Non-Music Round:
What’s the best piece of advice someone has ever given you and did you take notice?
Israel Ramirez - My senior year of high school, I dropped my music classes thinking I had to focus on math and science courses to get into a good college. Being upset by this, my music teacher took me aside and said, “Your’e a musician. Don’t waste away your time trying to pursuing something that is not your calling.” I didn’t take her advice but to this day I regret it. I probably could have gone to music school but chose the safe conventional path.
Chris Conde - “Beautiful women make horrible lovers” (I wouldn’t know anything about that though. I’m still trying to do research on that one).
What would be your perfect LA day?
Israel Ramirez - A 70 degree Spring day meeting up with at my brother in laws cafe/bakery for a lunch and a strawberry shortcake milk shake with any of my five sisters, stroll over to Amvets thrift store and look for cool paintings and furniture, meet up at my mom’s for any of her amazing mexican cooking, then get ready for our show at the Wiltern.
Chris Conde - Watching the Dodgers beat the Padres at Dodger Stadium, then eating a Grilled Cheese and a Strawberry Shortcake Shake at Milk, then shopping at Amoeba, then chillin’ at Marmot Manor, then Chiles Rellenos at La Serenata De Garibaldi, then food coma.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
Israel Ramirez - Playing Call of Duty 4 until the early hours of the morning.
Chris Conde - Karaoke or Jamba Juice (Does that make me a horrible person?)
Who would win in a fight, a Ninja or a Pirate and why?
Israel Ramirez - A ninja of course. Some of the best people toys/cartoon characters where ninjas (snake eyes from GI Joe, foot soldiers from Ninja Turtles) and they did their job with such calm and ease never questioning their orders. Best fighters under pressure for sure!
Chris Conde - A ninja, no contest! Do you really think Johnny Depp would stand a chance against Michael Dudikoff?
What three things could you not live without?
Israel Ramirez - My family, my mom’s chicken pozole, Clash’s “London Calling” Album
Chris Conde - Fender Jazz Bass, My Mom’s Cheese Enchiladas, “To Kill a Mockingbird” by Harper Lee.
Tell us a fact about yourself we probably don’t already know.
Israel Ramirez - The hand I use for fret board fingering has a damaged finger. I almost cut it off when I was five and it made learning guitar a bit challenging.
Chris Conde - I have a crippling addiction to Craigslist. I just can’t pass up a bargain.
Who would play you in a film based upon your life?
Israel Ramirez - Gael Garcia Bernal
Chris Conde - John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats or Joey Burns of Calexico.
What’s your favorite Drink?
Israel Ramirez - Vodka Tonic
Chris Conde - Dr. Pepper/Del Taco Strawberry Shake
What’s the obsession with strawberry shake? Where is it from? What is so great about it?
Subscribe to our RSS Feed And checkout our coffee competition to win a $30 gift voucher to your favourite coffee shop : click hereChris Conde - You don’t understand, that is seriously the best Strawberry shake I’ve ever had, period. It’s from Israel’s brother-in-law’s restaurant, Milk. Fresh made Ice Cream and Strawberry Sorbet holy crap. This isn’t a shameless plug; it’s just that damn good! It’s things like that shake that keep me from being a Vegan.
(1 votes, average: 5 out of 5)
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1 response so far ↓
1 Seraphina // May 21, 2008 at 10:33 pm
I am in love with this interview.
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