¡sTonE!'s Page

Name

Jeffrey

About Me

I always get stuck here and it is not original anymore to just say "to know me is to love me." I admire those who can describe themselves succinctly with accuracy and wit. My goal here is to give a snapshot of myself that is not as big as a billboard, but also not infinitesimal so one can see who I am with a naked eye.
I have been a musician since the age of 10. Have been involved in bands since the age of 15. I am part of the Los Angeles Ska scene that bred acts such as Hepcat and Ocean 11 among others. The band I was part of was named Mobtown. We were signed to L.A.'s Steady Beat Records and our 2nd album was on New York City's Moon Records. I have had the great opportunity to share the stage with many Ska/Reggae/Rocksteady legends from both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific: Fishbone, The Skatalites, The Selecter, Bad Manners, Laurel Aitken, Desmond Dekker, The Beat (both w/ Ranking Roger and without), The Untouchables, Hepcat, Ozomatli, Jump with Joey, Let's Go Bowling (the list goes on and on I will update sometime) After Mobtown, I branched out and played with a Colombian cumbia band called Cumbeley that won the 2002 L.A. Weekly Music award for best Latin Artist. I was invited to play bass with the Aggrolites in September 2007 for their tour of Europe. After the tour I had to make a hard decision; to continue to follow a long-life dream to rock across the world musically or to follow another life dream to pursue a Doctoral degree and become a professor. In 2008 I graduated with a Bachelor's of Arts in English Literature and the decision to pursue my academic interests.
I was fortunate to be accepted to my top choice program at the University of Southern California as a PhD student in the American Studies and Ethnicity Department where I am currently.
I can never stop playing and performing music. My present band is called Police & Thieves. We are a Northern Soul/Motown group that plays a little Ska & Rocksteady and have 3-part female vocals and a good groove.
I am a good listener and enjoy sharing with people who appreciate it. I like to laugh (as most people I guess) and try to stay positive, though things have been really tough for me lately in a few key aspects of life. Stop in, say hi, share that funny line or just ask...maybe I will have an answer.

You can be my friend if...

You read all of the above and are still awake. lol

Occupation:

PhD Student, Bassist (upright, 4/5 string electric)

Favorite bands:

O.k.

Smiths, Echo and the Bunnymen, The Jesus and Mary Chain, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, The Damned, XTC (and their alter-ego The Dukes of Stratosphere), Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, Culture Club, Bauhaus, Tones on Tail, Love & Rockets (Kundalini Express...whoot whoot), Suicidal, Angry Samoans, Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, The Pogues, The Pixies, Belle & Sebastian, CUMBIA! Lucho Bermudez, Pastor Lopez, Vallenato of all types, Bachata, Samba, Most all original Jamaican Ska, Most all L.A. Traditional Ska Revival groups, Dub, a lot of Northern Soul. Donny Hathaway, Lou Rawls, Gladys Knight & the Pips, Curtis Mayfield & the Impressions, Motown, (this list has to end now...tune in later for more)

Favorite books:

The White Boy Shuffle, Invisible Man, Sula, Beloved, The Bluest Eye, The Toughest Indian in the World, The Tempest (Shakespeare), Leaves of Grass, The Many-Headed Hydra, Steppenwolf,
(there are too many to list, or to think about)

Favorite TV shows:

Antiques Roadshow (go ahead laugh) and Discover Channel stuff although I don't have cable and can only see this at someone's house who does!

Relationship status:

I was crippled and then I was the crippler to someone else...now I am learning to crawl before I walk

Orientation:

Straight

Zodiac Sign

Taurus in the west (4/29) , Ox in the east (73)

Kids?:

2 Beautiful Girls ages 12 & 5

Smoke/Drink?

yes/no

Band Question - Genre:

Northern Soul/Motown

Band Question -Band Members:

Wally C - Guitar
Alex V - Skins
Jeffrey G (Me) - Low End
Mimi - Keys
Cyn- Vox
Elisha - Vox

Band Question - Record label:

Indie