Fantazzmo Timeline

Fantazzmo Timeline

In 2007, puchased a computer, right after Thanksgiving.  In December, I purchaed ProTools.

In 2008, I came up with the concept for Fantazzmo.  It began in 2007 with El Checo, then El Fantazzmo and finally became Fantazzmo.  I wanted a Marquee name, I loved the way Van Halen sounded, I also like the letter Z a lot.  I was thinking Fandango, which was ZZ Top's third album, but I did not want people to confuse the band with a movie listing service of the same name.  From those ideas, came Fantazzmo.  Once I came up with that name, I was beyond satisfied.  I was so happy that I came up with something so original, then I performed a google search of the name and it seems there is a candy manufacturer using the same name.  I thought, oh well, at least they are not music or entertainment oriented...the name is Mine!

On May 5, 2009, I reunited with Kinski & Rodax, my old bandmates from Anima, (1994-1999),which later became Idle, then Monte Negro and now Gallo.  A few weeks later, Kinski introduced me to Tone, who produced the first 3 Monte Negro records.  Then in a month later, I was in the studio with Tone recording the first 8 tracks for "Enter the Fantazz."  In December 2009, we were back in the studio recording the last 4 songs to complete the full length album:  "Souls On Ice," "I Want Somethng," "What You Doin To Me," and "Always Somthing."


We finished mixing and mastering in June 2010.  Then came three photo sessions; the first with Kinski, where the cover for the album was shot in the alleys of the Larchmont District in Los Angeles; a photoshoot with my friend, Pat Rogers in Anaheim, CA; then a photo shoot by Kinski with Brazilian model, Nathalia Santoro.

In August 2010, two videos were shotat Stagg St. Studios in Van Nuys, CA.  Which was also where both drum sessions were done for "Enter the Fantazz." We shot videos for "Superman," and "I Know You're Mine" with Kinski directing the videos.


In August 2010, I also started to put together a live band.  I first met bassist Allen Mehlhaff.  In early 2009, before I reconnected with my Anima bandmates, I tried to find a drummer, my original thoughts were to put the beand together first, then go into the studio to cut an album.  Over a two day period, I auditioned eight drummers and became very frustrated when that effort resulted in zero.

So back to August 2010, I put an ad on the internet for a bassist, and Allen Mehlhaff appeared.  Fortunately, when we were setting up drummer auditions, he recommended Matt Lesser, who was by far the best drummer I had heard in a really long time.  At the same session, only one guitarist qualified to audition and that was when Steve crane came aboard as well.  This cast of characters became the Fantazzmo lineup through April 2012.


In Oct. 2010, with very little promotion, we quietly released, "Fantazzmo I:  Enter the Fantazz" on my birthday, October 14, 2010.  As you can tell by the name of the CD, I am a big Bruce Lee fan.

The band started rehearsals in September 2010.  In Mid November, a few of the guys left the state for the holidays.

In December 2010, the video for "Superman" was released.  It has a good number of views to date.  A guy that does work for Pixar helped with some of the graphics as side income.  He thought I was on a major label because of the quality of the recording and went all out in his efforts; then, When he showed us the bill...we almost died. He had worked on a Kanye West video prioer to "Superman."  We told him we are independent artists with absolutely no backing and fortunately he realized that some money was better than no money.



In January 2011, Tone and I teamed up to do an album of "Remixes," which I have been releasing one by one on Youtube and Soundcloud, but have not officially released for physical or digital sale.

Fantazzmo played its first show at Crazy Girls in Hollywood, CA on February 22, 2011.  It was the perfect setting for us with songs like "Superman" and "Souls On Ice."  My mistake was not capturing the show on audio or video; a problem that is still not fully rectified.  We performed 24 more shows in 2011.


In January 2012, I was trying to plan Fantazzmo's next move.  The 25 shows in 2011 were nice, but I needed to take it up a notch and turn Fantazzmo into a National touring Act.  I was tring to figure out how we could perform in front of as many people as possible.  We had played the first Annual "Taft Bike Fest," in Taft, CA, and had a great time.  I thought, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is the biggest Motorcycle Rally in the USA and phoned and emailed every venue in Sturgis, SD;  Peter Gold, owner of One Eyed Jack's Saloon was the only person that responded.  Pete and I then proceeded to plan what became the Sturgis tour 2012.  Fantazzmo played 81 sets of music during an 18 straight day period.  We were fucking workhorses!  Fantazzmo had an alternate lineup which consisted of four very dedicated, and disciplined professional musicians.  Myself, Harley Duggan on bass, Cyamak Ashtiani on vocals and guitar, Ricardo Ramirez on drums and Slava working the board and as Tour Manager.  These guys were a blessing, they are all amazing musicians and people, but Cyamak Ashtiani really is a phenomenal talent who not only is an AMAZING guitarist, but also a GREAT vocalist as well.


The response on our Tour was phenomenal.  The Candle Club in Wichita, KS and Samuel Brewskies in Park City, KS were the highlights on the way up to Sturgis.  Kansas fuckin ROCKS!  We had a blast on Tour and met a lot of really kick ass people.  We had a blast at Sturgis and recieved a really great response.  We cannot wait to get back on the road for the next Tour and head right back to Wichita, Park City and Sturgis.

Here we are now in 2013.  What is in store for Fantazzmo?  We will be in the studio to record the follow up to our debut Cd and releasing a few videos... and of course we are doing the 2013 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally Tour which will cover CA, NM, TX, CO, UT, NV, KS, SD and more....get ready, Fantazzmo is coming to a town near you!

Fantazzmo

www.Fantazzmo rocks.com