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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 6, 1994)
Stevie Wonder gives band a break By David Scott Farr fw tQngon Dt&iy f n>«*akl After four years of selling Stevie Wonder albums. Ricardo Ojeda may have the favor returned. Ojeda learned about the music industry from working behind a record store cash register while performing for a Portland funk hand, Rubberneck The band, which performs n Latin and funk hybrid it has named "L.unk," has attracted alien tion from some industry veterans. Wonder was impressed enough to produce and bankroll the band's debut album. Ojeda and his younger brother Pablo ( rented a primitive species of Rubberneck four years ago. after ()jeda coin meed Pablo to trade ins guitar for a bass and some lessons Rubberneck started booking paid performances two years ago, surviving canceled gigs and early lineup changes. The time the band served eventu ally paid off. The Mount Tabor Theater, Key Largo and the X-Ray Cafe served as early territory for Rubber neck. gaining it a small following and the chance to improve its material. The eight-member band desperately needed larger stages at bigger venues. With the addition of a percussionist and a four-piece horn section. Rub berneck crowded smaller stages. The hand found needed space on its frequent.trips to Seattle, usu ally performing at the Phoenix Underground. This year. Rubberneck landed at Portland's I .a Luna for the first time, opening for Eugene's The Daddies The band released a demo cassette, titled Sun pie, and appeared on the compilation Northwest Ungmnged last summer. Ojeda and the band decided they needed to record again soon after He reserved dates at a Portland recording studio despite the band's lack of funds. In oarly April. Ojeda invited a friend to a Rub berneck performance at Mark's Hawthorne Pub Ojeda knew Uw Garrett, a veteran songwriter, from ‘We’ve don’t have to dream anymore because it’s here. We’re here. Now what do we doT Ricardo Ojeda, Rubberneck member his regular v isits to the record store where Ojeda works Garrett told Wonder about Kuhlmmn k after attending the i.om eri ' It s perfet t, almost too perfect All the inusu we grew up to, and it just happens that he wrote most of it,' Ojeda said about Garrett, who wrote Signed. Sealed. Delivered, I'm Yours" and n num ber of other songs with Wonder Kubbemei k awaits Wonder's production of the \2 original songs it finished recording this week Garrett planned on finam ing the hand's ns ordings and having Wonder produi e the album However, Wonder offered to produce and pnv for the recordings after talking witfi < iarrett, ()|e da said It was really weird how easv it was to tell the studio. Bill it to Stev ie,' " Ojeda said of n day of recording Ojeda and Pablo hope their date with Wonder next weekend will not l>e canceled Production has been delayed twice but has lieen resi heduled for May 14 Rubberneck departs for its European tour May 11. regardless of the production outcome Mem bers of the bond are quitting their day jobs and planning to return in August Rubberneck contin ues to perform three to four gigs a week, including a stop at the KMU Beer Gardens on Friday "We've spent our whole life dreaming about it, and here's the opportunity," Ojeda said We don't have to dream anymore because it's here We're here Now what do we do?" Komitsm t &scANmsi SU Cinco de Mayo Fiesta All Weekend Longsp'i • Prizes • Dancing • Full Bar • Food • Specials • Chinese Food Home Delivery • Lunch & Dinner Delivery • Saturday Night is Live Comedy Night from 9:00-10:45 • Karaoke & Dancing every Friday & Saturday ADMISSION | No cover charge with j presentation of this coupon. j Valid Fridays 9-10:30 only ■ One coupon per person. ^Expires 5/20/94. I Admission on Saturdays I 11p.m. to close j Valid Saturdays only ■ One coupon per person. ■ Expires 5/21/94. 2222 Centennial Blvd. • 343-4734 WOW HALL All Ages Welcome 8th & Lincoln • 687-2746 Fred Small_^ T. R. Kelley t,’ Mhwn. W «•.<■»• Dm ■ -IMwIUta • 4 ^ ’ »v *>. !U uah ! .4 \krr*i %%jL >*.» ,tm r «j ^?n_- ** v* ■•Ai, 2nd Annual U10ID Hall J-Shirt. Memorabilia and Rummaqe Sate ttMl • 4Hm • tilt! iy. 11 • «uc«4 lloodoo Glow Skulls. Artless Hotiues. The Hinimals BKIMMr - Ooon IKII • lw»i Ilia DC II All. roc ONI roil AD. A1PHA rAU OMEGA. cut ruRAl fORUM AM) MOA PRESt N! THE FIRST ANNUAL UIIIAU PAKiy TO BENEFIT THE MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION HOW TO IK) IT ALL: I Come to the E MU Beer (tauten on May 6th, 1994 at 6 00, or you van buy a ticket from any member of AIT) Iralcrnit) * I ntcr to win a trip lor two lo Reno lor one dollar, enter as many i tones as yiwi like ' Kick back, listen to Rubber Neck and drink beer 4 Win and you go to Reno for two days .onI two nights You do mu need to be present to w in ' All proceeds go to MDA DC IT A1X ON MAT 6Ul! TtCim A*AJlA*U AT THf WAT CIMTIA *01 OfTICI. 00 CM AMI IT MtOM SOM*7 MOO • III GBAM AM FBI II MIS Designated Drivers Are The LIFE Of The Piirtvt Every 23 minutes a person in the United States dies as a result of an alcohol related crash. Join us to make our community safer by always designating a driver before you celebrate. Several bars and restaurants offer special incentives for designated drivers. Ask your server for details. Be the LIFE of your party. lie A Designated Driver! PHOJin I.l 01 \l A Clmi n Ux V a OlUJIKIN by (tm tvned bermen -wn Jntuien and whdeutitf * 220 Yah lllh, S«itf 38 • Kafr*. OR *7401 . ($83) 343407*
