Eric Bobo

LaUnion1910 : Everyone knows that Eric Bobo is a member of Cypress Hill, but what could you tell us about Eric Bobo; is there anything that is ever over looked when people talk or media brings up your name that you would like to us to know?

Eric Bobo : Well, my musical background is Latin-Jazz and salsa music. I've been playing professionally since I've been 5 years old. I've played with many people and groups from Jazz, Salsa, Rock, Hip Hop and more. I don't know if there is more to tell.

LaUnion1910 : Where did you grow up and how was it that you got involved with music?

Eric Bobo : I was born in New York, but I was raised in Los Angeles. Me being involved in music is really due to my father. It's in the blood.

LaUnion1910 : You know I met and have become a friend of Tito Puente JR like some 5 years ago now, he always speaks very highly of you and your late Father Willie Bobo, I just had the chance to take a few minutes from his time and Interviewed him. What is the relationship between your family and his?

Eric Bobo : Well, my dad started playing with Tito when he was 20 years old and was in his band for 5 years. Tito, Mongo Santamaria and my dad was the greatest percussion section ever. All of Tito's early hits, my dad played on. They would do timbale duels and everything. They remained very good friends. When my father passed, Tito took me under his wing and became my mentor. It was great to have someone who was very influential in my father's live to be the same in mine. My only regret that I have is to not have recorded with him. My family and his were always close.

LaUnion1910 : Why is it that the sons of to legands, who look up and respect each other have not had a song together?

Eric Bobo : It will happen, if not on T.P. Jr's album, it will be on mine. It's inevitable that it will happen. When ever you're ready Tito.

LaUnion1910 : Now, before Cypress Hill you were a member of the Beastie Boys, tell me about that. Where and how did you meet them and how was it that you became apart of the group?

Eric Bobo : I met the Beasties in 1992. I intially did Ad-Rock's wedding. I was the "entertainment". I even did the wedding march. Anyway, afterwards both me and Adam(Ad- Rock) talked about me and him jamming when they got back from their Japan tour.† A couple of months later, I got a call from Mike D. to audition for the percussion slot on their "Check Your Head" tour. I then went to their studio and did it. I knew every single Beasties song so I was ready for anything. At the end of it, I had the gig. For the next 3 years, we toured the world several times over and made some great music. It was on that 1992 tour that I met Cypress Hill because they were the openingact. We still remain good friends to this day.

LaUnion1910 : If you can mention a single moment as your most memorable with The Beastie Boys which would it be and why?

Eric Bobo : It probably was the very first show in Phoenix, Arizona. I was tripping out that I was on the road with one of my all time favorite hip hop groups. I was so nervous, I threw up on the side of the stage during the show.

LaUnion1910 : Why did you leave The Beastie Boys for Cypress Hill?

Eric Bobo : Well, I really wouldn't call it "leaving" as much as it was that the Beasties took alot of time in between tours. I was juggling between both groups for 2 or so years. The last tour I did with the Beasties was in 1995. They didn't tour again until 1998. They did ask me to do that tour but I was already doing a tour with the Hill and I couldn't reschedule. If I could've done it, I would've because I enjoyed touring w/ the Beasties. It was during this time that CH brought me in as an official member, which is something that wouldn't have happened with the Beasties, even though I would be known as a member of the touring group. The opportunities with CH and being a member would give me more of a spring board to do other stuff. I have no doubt that me and the Beasties will play together again in some capacity.

LaUnion1910 : What has been your experience with working with B-Real, Muggs, and the whole Cypress Hill / Soul Assassins camp?

Eric Bobo : It's been a crazy experience. I've been playing with them for 13 years now, so it's like being part of a family. B is one of my best friends and we all support each other in each others projects. I could write a book on just my experiences with the Hill.

LaUnion1910 : Besides working on either Rap or Rock with The Beastie Boys and Cypress, have you worked on anything else, maybe something non Hip Hop or Rock and what could you tell us about it?

Eric Bobo : I have worked with lots of artists from different genres of music. Like I said, my musical background has enabled me to perform with different groups. For example, I've had the pleasure of performing with groups like The Black Crowes, Soulfly to Tito Puente,Ella Fitzgerald and many more.

LaUnion1910 : Right now it seems that everyone from the group is doing side projects, Muggs with his new label and albums, B Real his mixtapes and solo album, Sen Dog a solo album and the long awaited Reyes Brothers project, what is Eric Bobo working on, is there anything you would like to share with Launion1910.com?

Eric Bobo : I am close to completing my compilation album called "Meeting Of The Minds Vol. 1" which will be me playing with different groups and different genres of music. My official solo album will come soon after that. I also will be releasing some unreleased music from my dad which has been 10 years in the making. I've been working on that album with Mario Caldato Jr., who has produced The Beastie Boys, Jack Johnson, Beck, and many more. I also have an internet radio station called PlowRadio and an online video stream called PlowVision. There are also other upcoming projects that will be surfacing later this year as well.

LaUnion1910 : soon you will start podcasting a radio show here on LaUnion1910, what can you tell us as about the music format and what made you wanna do a Show?

Eric Bobo : The podcast will feature different types of music but it will be more streamlined since every show will be different. It will feature latin artists, underground artists, and more. I'm really excited about it.

LaUnion1910 : Now you all ready have a radio show on 365live right? How different is that from the podcasting now that your planning on?

Eric Bobo : Well, my radio show is just a continuous amount of music. You will definitely hear some of the music from PlowRadio on the podcast but there will be differences like artist spotlights, some interviews, on the road stuff, and exclusive music. plus the fact of being able to have the show in your ipod or mp3 player is great. The podcast is definitely an extension of what PlowRadio is, but like I said before, it will be more of a show than just a radio station.

LaUnion1910 : what's in Bobo's iPod right now?

Eric Bobo : You name it, it's in there. I think I need to get another one.

LaUnion1910 : Do you think the Latinos in the U.S. should have their own colleges?

Eric Bobo : I'm not so much into segregating education like that, but if more Latinos were heads of some colleges and had more control, that would be great.

LaUnion1910 : Is it hard to a musician always on the road to keep up with politics, and how important to you is Voting and did you vote?

Eric Bobo : I did vote even though who I voted for didn't win, but voting is very important because it gives people a chance to voice their opinions. There are alot of politics within politics, so even though one may think that their voice or opinions aren't valid, they are. People have fought long and hard to get the opportunity to vote, so we should make use of that.

LaUnion1910 : Eric, thank you every much for you time and and support and welcome to LaUnión1910 fam, do you have anything else you would like to add for the people reading this?

Eric Bobo : For people who haven't yet, be sure to check out my website @ www.ericbobo.com, be on the lookout for "Meeting Of The Minds Vol.1", check out PlowRadio and PlowVision which you can link onto through my site, and get ready for the podcast which will be right here on Launion1910.com. Thank you all for your support to me and also to Cypress Hill. Peace!!!