UCLA alumni present debut album 4 years in the making
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 22, 2001 9:00 p.m.
Rubber Band Ball Records The rock band Ferdinand, started by
UCLA graduates, plays many local clubs and bars. Ferdinand recently
released its debut album, "Demoted to Greeter," available
online.
By Chris Moriates
Daily Bruin Contributor
Greg Franco could have gone into teaching, but all he really
wanted to do was make music. Over a decade after his graduation
from UCLA, he’s still hanging onto his dream of fronting a
rock band.
Joining fellow UCLA graduate Laura Smith, Franco formed the band
Ferdinand in 1994. Since then Ferdinand has been performing
throughout Southern California and has garnered a reputation as one
of the most resilient bands in Los Angeles.
Ferdinand recently released its record “Demoted To
Greeter” on its own label, Rubber Band Ball Records. The
album was recorded over the course of four years in everywhere from
the band’s own garage to various professional studios.
Even before the band started working on its debut album, when it
was still practicing in the basement of a catering company, it went
through many changes.
The band grew to include a second guitarist, Smith’s
husband, David Guerrero, who brings a different sound to the group.
Ferdinand has been through more drummers than the mock-rock group
Spinal Tap, and the band’s official drummer is still to be
determined.
Originally hesitant toward change, the members of Ferdinand now
look forward to the new opportunities that a second guitarist
provides.
“We were very afraid of bringing in a second guitarist for
a long time,” said Franco in a recent interview. “We
liked the power trio sound and we were afraid to change
it.”Â
Franco, Smith and Guerrero discussed their music, their
experiences and the Los Angeles bar scene after their show at Mr.
T’s Bowl Friday night, in Pasadena.
As a bar fight broke out behind Franco, the frontman explained,
“I’ve seen some crazy things over the years here.
It’s really gotten a lot better.”
Ferdinand likes to keep its performances low-key, opting to
perform in bars like Mr. T’s with its friends, as opposed to
what Franco describes as the “airport lounge” feel of
other trendy Hollywood spots. However, the band has performed on
countless stages throughout the years.
“We got to open up for Mike Watt and that was really cool.
I think that his crowd really (understood our music),” Smith
said. “But there are some nights when I think that (the
crowd) just doesn’t quite get it.”
The band draws its name from the classic tale of
“Ferdinand the Bull.” In the story Ferdinand is a
gentle bull that is content smelling flowers and doesn’t like
to fight.
“I really felt a connection with that story,”
explained Franco. “Being big, people just seem to expect you
to be tough or something.”
The band’s stage show is full of angst-driven melodies and
sincerity. Ferdinand’s sound is hard to pin down and cannot
be summed up in a simple genre such as “alternative,”
“punk,” or “guitar rock.” The band cites a
diverse mix of influences including the Pixies, John Coltrane and
Led Zeppelin.Â
Currently, the members of Ferdinand are content playing small
shows and working on a new record, hoping to one day be able to
sign other bands to Rubber Band Ball Records.
“We’re ready to record some more,” Franco
said. “I’m looking forward to working with (Guerrero)
this time around.”
The band hopes to finish recording its sophomore album much more
quickly than “Demoted to Greeter.”
Ferdinand will continue to make its unique brand of indie rock
as long as somebody will listen.
“We just want to make music,” Franco said.
MUSIC: To order Ferdinand’s debut album
“Demoted to Greeter,” and to find out when it will be
performing next, check out its Web site at http://listen.to/ferdinand.
