Shortly after Blown Speaker Gospel formed in 2011, the band faced a nightmare: One of the band members passed away suddenly. However, the band decided to continue on—inspired to create a unique sound. The Riverside band plays shows throughout the Inland Empire and the Coachella Valley. For more information, visit blownspeakergospel.com or www.facebook.com/BlownSpeakerGospel. Frontman Armando Peredia recently tackled The Lucky 13.
What was the first concert you attended?
Incubus at the UC Riverside Barn. It was when they were all dread-heads. They had just released S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and were doing this heavy funk thing.
What was the first album you owned?
Digable Planets’ Reachin’ (A New Refutation of Time and Space). I’ve always liked the sound of ‘90s hip-hop, especially the drum samples. I saw the “Cool Like Dat” video, and I just had to hear where they were coming from.
What bands are you listening to right now?
Julian Casablancas + The Voidz, Funkadelic, Queens of the Stone Age and Timber Timbre.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone love, but you don’t get?
EDM or Drake. I just can’t make any sense of it.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Jimi Hendrix.
What’s your favorite musical guilty pleasure?
Lenny Kravitz’s “It Ain’t Over ’Til It’s Over.”
What’s your favorite music venue?
I like more intimate venues, but if I had to choose one, I’d say Pappy and Harriet’s Pioneertown Palace.
What’s the one song lyric you can’t get out of your head?
“Meat. Predators eat. Meat. Predators eat meat. Ceremony or a speech. In a church or on a beach. Predators eat,” from “Where No Eagles Fly,” Julian Casablancas + The Voidz. There are a lot of really interesting lyrical choices all over that record (Tyranny), but that one just echoes in my head right now.
What band or artist changed your life? How?
Radiohead. They opened my perspective on how music can feel when it hits you. It was different and refreshing. I remember seeing the video for “Just” off The Bends, and it set me off on a trail to find more of their music.
You have one question to ask one musician. What’s the question, and who are you asking?
I’d ask John Paul Jones, “Will you teach me your ways?” He’s like a musician Swiss Army knife, and he can do anything, or play anything on any instrument. Most people don’t know he’s a great lyricist.
What song would you like played at your funeral?
“Sleep Walk,” Santo and Johnny.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
OK Computer, Radiohead.
What song should everyone listen to right now?
Desert Sessions’ “Powdered Wig Machine.” PJ Harvey’s voice is amazing. (Scroll down to hear it.)
