Victor Rice

February 2008, Victor Rice, bass player, producer, pioneer of the early ska scene in NYC, he played with NYSJE, Stubborn All Stars and many others, currently he lives between San Paolo and NYC.

1- You have been involved in many great projects as producer or bass player since many years, how did you got into the music scene?
I started bass lessons at 13 - I was playing in bands by 15, and it was clear that I wanted to be a bassist from then. My big interest was to be a studio musician, so I would play on any recordings, anytime, anywhere. I started out listening to rock music, then studied orchestral Contrabass in conservatory, and I heard a lot of jazz as well. But ever since a little kid, I heard reggae from my older brother's records. So I always liked reggae because the bass is so important.

2- In the early 90's you have been one of the pioneer of the ska scene in NYC, tell us about your feeling in that period, how everything started?
While in conservatory, I heard a recording by Don Drummond, And it fascinated me- it reminded me of Eastern European folk music! So I decided to join the Scofflaws, that's how I entered the Ska scene in particular. The band style was totally influenced by the Skatalites, so we sounded unique, compared to other NYC bands like the Toasters and Urban Blight, the NY Citizens. For years I was just known as a bassist, but I was also the producer in the studio for the Scofflaws. This is only because I was the only one in the band who had studio experience and I knew what was required. Later, Bucket asked me to help produce records for Moon Ska - This is where I got my real start as a producer.
I didn't feel that I was doing anything important, or that it would be something I would do for the rest of my life - I still wanted to become a famous studio bass player and jazz musician, so my studies continued. But Jamaican riddims have always given me the most satisfaction!

3- You live between New York and San Paolo, how is the life and the music in Brazil? Tell us about Firebugs.
I moved to SP in 2002 for two reasons: I love SP and I no longer love NYC. NYC has changed so much since arriving there in 1985 - and SP is more like NYC was! So I'm much happier here in Brasil. Brasilian music is not a huge influence on me, but of course it does play a part. I studied Brasilian composers in conservatory, it is a very rich and sophisticated art. But mostly I just go to the Dub parties here ; ) And people's attitudes here make it easier for me to have a happy life.
I do go to NYC often, but only for work. for me, NYC is a great place for art, but a terrible place for artists.
Firebug is a project that is very dear to me, I care for it as if it were my music - and some of it is, of course. It started as a way to make some introduction to 'Vintage Jamaicana' for Brasil, but it will always be about Machado, the singer/songwriter. He is Firebug. We are now working on some new recordings that are more experimental and have more of a Brasilian influence. I think the next record will be very exciting!

4-You have also been an original member of the first NYSJE line up in 1994 as bass player sharing the stage with many great musicians, tell us about that experience.
This was also the Moon Ska connection. The horn players in the Toasters wanted to create a band that had a jazz focus. So they found members from other groups in NYC to create the NYSJE. It was a great time, for our first tour of Europe we had Vic Ruggiero on the guitar! But after making three records with them, it was obvious that the drummer and I would never understand each other. So I decided to leave the group and go back to my old musical life. Even though those times could get difficult (Bass player and Drummer MUST have a close connection), It was great to know people like Devon James(Skatalites), Laurel Aitken and Cary Brown, these friendships grew out of NYSJE.

5- Who is your hero in the history of dub?
Well, not the obvious answer which is Lee Scratch Perry - even though it is impossible to not be influenced by him! For me, the big studies were Duke Reid and King Tubby.
There is something very 'classical' about that style, and the conservatory aesthetic will always be a part of my work. More recently I check for Dennis Bovell. It is impossible to name just one!

6- In the last few years many great bands are born in Europe, what do you think about the european scene?
I love the European scene, it is not so influenced by television like in all of the Americas. The scene is consistent and not fickle. And bands have a higher quality of musicianship, in general. Education is better, so the results are more consistent. The American bands that are good, are GREAT! American bands like to experiment and invent, I think that happens as a positive result of the poor education. So, the results can be amazing sometimes, but it's not consistent from band to band.
One thing missing from the European Sound is the African sensibilities. In European bands you will hear Counterpoint, in American bands you will hear Call-and-Response.

7- What's your favorite things about touring in Europe?
In Europe, a musician is considered part of society. Most governments recognize artists as contributors to the public wealth. When a musician comes to a club to perform, they are respected, even if they are unknown. In the Americas, it is fame that is respected. This is also, in my opinion, because education is better in Europe.

8- Now you are touring with your new experiment, dubbing live on the reels...personaly i think it's awesone, tell us how did you get this idea.
I wanted to show the audience how Dub is really made, most people don't realize that it is performed live in the studio by the engineer. What I do onstage is exactly how I do it on the records! So for me, that is very exciting. Also, as a one-man show, I am able to play more kinds of venues and I can go to places that can be difficult for a whole band. So there is more freedom. Also there is more control, and I am a control freak ; )
I am really looking forward to returning to Itália.
Victor Rice myspace: http://www.myspace.com/victorrice

Victor Rice myspace: http://www.myspace.com/victorrice