Otafuku Rex

Ever met a guitar player with a microphone for a head? Neither have most people in LA—until recently. Meet Word, one of seven recent imports to the Los Angeles music scene that make up the new band Otafuku Rex. As the latest thing to bubble to the surface of the murky pond of MySpace and YouTube that is our new way of finding the bands we love, Otafuku Rex is mashing together so many facets of music that they’re sound has been referred to as Mash Pop.

BUCK-TEN is the ringmaster of this circus; embodying the unlikely marriage of old school hip hop and high energy dance moves. Kazinka adds some salsa to this nacho platter, incorporating a Latin flavor from her native Argentina. Word (guitar) brings the dirty riffs and loud amps from the seedier end of Silver Lake, where you can often find him guesting on a set or plugging the next noisiest band from Echo Park. Stank (bass) may be in his early 70s, but has moshed his way through every punk scene imaginable and somehow manages to stay firmly rooted in teen angst, with the advantage of having several degrees from Ivy League universities. He is the Professor of Punk. Duke and Skull round out the rhythm section on keys and bass respectively, while CameraHead (DJ) Scratches in unusual Brit flavors and beats that do not suck.

A breakthrough came for the band by way of a chance encounter between their own keyboardist Duke and keyboardist Brian Lebarton from Beck’s band. They were both combing through the dark and dusty rows of vintage synths one day at Future Music on Sunset Blvd., when they began arguing over who was the first to spot a rare Moog keyboard that they both aimed to purchase. Brian and Duke were fast friends, and Brian signed on to co-produce Otafuku-Rex’s debut EP, starting with their first single, "Do Me, I’m the Best."

Brian also introduced them to Ray Cooper, former president of Virgin Records. Mr. Cooper was intrigued with the unique sounds and look of Otafuku Rex, and soon after formed Xowville Music and signed Otafuku Rex to the new label. The overwhelming response to the bands first single and the release of their amazing music video for "Do Me I’m The Best" has convinced the burgeoning label to dump more money and attention into the band, and you should be hearing more from them very soon. In the meantime you can experience them for yourself at otafukurex.com.