GUEST BLOGGER: Paul Bahou (Bass Player, Inverse)

When you find out that Paul Bahou was named after his dad’s favourite Beatle, it’s not much of a surprise that he says he was “born into” music. He now plays with Southern California rock band Inverse (www.myspace.com/inverse), a band he started back in high school and is currently finishing up a new EP titled “Leave It All”, which Paul swears will “melt your face”. After that they’re playing a tour with hip hop artist Mickey Avalon and then heading out on their own for a West Coast tour.

Q: What’s the first CD you can remember buying?
A: The first CD I actually paid for was Soundgarden's “Superunknown”. Oh Chris Cornell, what happened? I think I listened to that CD daily for about a year. The first CD I ever really got into though was Led Zeppelin's IV. I got it as a birthday gift when I was in fifth or sixth grade. Before Zeppelin, I didn't really have favorite bands or favorite songs. I just liked music in general when I heard it. After Zeppelin, I was hooked. Not just on the band, but on being a genuine fan of Rock N Roll. I think its the same thing born again Christians go through, but with more distortion.

Q: What’s the most embarrassing CD in your collection?
A: I don't have any Creed, or Disturbed or Avril or any of the really bad musical offenders, but I did listen to a lot of Ska in high school...so we'll leave it at that.

Q: What’s your all-time favourite band or musician?
A: I usually just go with the always great, all encompassing "top 5", which is, in no particular order: Tool, Led Zeppelin, James Brown, Radiohead, and Pink Floyd.

Q: What songs are you really into right now?
A: Lately I’ve been listening to lots of James Brown. Seriously, this guy’s stuff is great for any occasion. Kegger? JAMES BROWN! Wedding? JAMES BROWN! Funeral? You can bet your ass, JAMES BROWN! I saw him three times before he died, and each time he blew me away. Even when he was getting towards his end he still killed. The first time I saw him was at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Everyone in the crowd was just standing there, like they were watching a history lesson (I was busy dancing, yelling "Woooo" and spilling beer on the couple next to me), not taking in one of the best performers of the century. By the end, everyone was dancing. It’s just how it was. You can only deny James Brown for so long. [NOTE: Check out Paul's favourite James Brown video below.] As for a list, some songs that I've been listening to off the top of my head are:

1) The Raconteurs - You Don't Understand me
2) Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Berlin
3) Justice – D.A.N.C.E.
4) The Mars Volta - Viscera Eyes
5) Gillian Welch - Elvis Presley Blues
6) Bob Dylan - Boots of Spanish Leather
7) Queens of the Stone Age - Make it Wit Chu
8) Del tha Funkee Homosapien - Corner Story
9) Peter Tosh - Legalize It
10) The Beatles - Don't Let Me Down
11) k-os - Flypaper
12) NIN - Ghosts I-IV