Scrit: So most recently - the Fatso Jetson live vinyl. Any particular reason to release it on that format only?
Mario: We wanted to have something that was special, for the art of the format. The show was actually recorded without the intention to release it at all. I heard it and thought that it captured a bit of the energy we have live. The performance that night was a benefit for our dear friend and fellow musician Richie Hass (Zoogs Rift, Saccharine Trust, Free Head) who at that time was battling cancer. He has passed away now and we miss him. It is a memorial that we have that night documented.
Scrit: Are there any plans at this time to hit the studio at some point? Is there new material Fatso is playing around with?
Mario: In February Fatso Jetson will begin recording for a split album with Ten East. The idea is to trade-off track for track. It should be interesting... Gary Arce will collaborate with us on a couple ideas and I will contribute to some Ten East tracks as well. It will be so fun and confusing. We are looking forward to a lot more music this year.
Scrit: When did your saxophone player Vince Meghrouni come along?
Mario: I first met Vince when we used to promote shows in the desert back in the late 80`s. He was the “muey explosivo” drummer for Bazooka. They were label mates with us from SST. We played many shows together and brought them down to play many times. Vince jammed the harp with Fatso one night at our club in Indio, Rhythm and Brews, and we invited him to come and play on our record Power of Three (SST,1996). On that particular album he played harmonica and flute. He also came into the studio with us on Cruel and Delicious (Rekords Rekords). He played both sax and harp on that album. I guess it was when we moved up to the LA area in 2002 that we started to play live together regularly.
Scrit: He`s a full-time member now?
Mario: Absolutely…
Scrit: You had taken some time away from Yawning Man. The 2005 Rock Formations record release party was your last show if I recall. Can you tell us a bit about this one-off European show you played with them again last summer?
Mario: We were offered to perform at Azkena Festival in Vitoria, Spain. The timing of this opportunity worked out for us so we could not pass it up. We also booked a couple shows in Germany while we were there. It was a great short trip, the jamming was inspired and fresh... we had a great time.
Scrit: Are there any plans or desire to play or record with them again?
Mario: No immediate plans to record right now but we will at again soon. We will always be looking forward to the next time we will play and write some music together.
Scrit: The restaurant, Café 322, is largely your full-time endeavor then?
Mario: My cousin Larry and I own and operate the restaurant, We work six days a week , he`s the chef and I book the music, bartend, and manage the dining room and bar and do sound. Working all those nights does not leave a lot of time for gigs or touring but we play when ever we can (usually at 1am at some little rock and roll bar here in LA or at our place). We are proud of the place we`ve built and it’s full of music and it’s how we survive. But we are always wishing to play more music.
Scrit: Orquesta del Desierto. Was there a conscious end to that project or is there a possibility of more to come?
Mario: I was not able to commit to another record because of the distance and my responsibilities. I don’t know if Dandy Brown is planning another project. He would be the one to ask about that.
Scrit: So would you say guitar or bass?
Mario: I love them both and express myself differently with each, it’s like asking me "Tacos or BBQ." Let’s just say I wouldn’t want to be without one or the other for very long.
Scrit: I remember seeing QotSA in New York City, March 1999 (I believe it was), and you were playing with them. Got to hear "…Millionaire" for the first time then (Desert Sessions 5 would be released soon). How long were you on the road with them for?
Mario: We did a tour with The Smashing Pumpkins of smaller venues... I think it was called their "Resurrection Tour." I was filling the impossibly big boots of Dave Catching for a few weeks. It was an awesome time. Alfredo, Josh, Nick Oliveri - we had great fun. We played many cool, small theatres, and clubs.
Scrit: So that literally was a very short stint with QotSA. Wow. To say I caught that in New York City… how little the Coachella bands get out there, well that was obviously one rare day. I believe it was The Mercury Lounge and remember tier-two strippers and lots of broken glass on stage.
(Mario has been excessively busy of late, so Gary Arce was kind enough to answer these final few questions I had).
Scrit: Who was Randy Reantaso? I know he is credited on Yawning Man’s MySpace profile.
Gary: Randy Reantaso was my best friend. He was always with us, whether at the house jamming or at the generator parties or just hanging out. He played percussion from old drums and cans he found and restored them and then painted them with these crazy colors. Alfredo would work with him on parts and eventually he started playing with us live. Tragically, Randy was killed. Very cool person. We still miss him.
Scrit: There’s been the occasional murmuring of releasing some Across The River demos (maybe Scott Reeder has some, not certain). I can’t tell you how many people that excites. You have a feeling one way or another about the music you made in Across The River or folks being able to now finally (maybe) hear some of it?
Gary: I know Mario has mentioned that some music may be released one day. And he and Scott have talked about it, but that’s as far as it has gone… (so far)
Scrit: I have to say that I’m very glad (the later named) “Sand Whip” was resurrected from one of your live shows and may be put to tape (for the next Yawning Man album)
Gary: We have thought of re-doing that song in the studio. One of the better songs I feel we do live.
