Science Fiction Theater

Science Fiction Theater's frontman Mike Jimenez might look familiar to you. He used to sit behind the drum kit for local punkers Rufio. Mike Jimenez, his brother Matt and Artie Marchain used an old 8-track to start recording about two years ago. When the trio liked what they heard, Mike stayed behind as Rufio embarked on a tour with Alkaline Trio. (However, he did make it to Rufio's first tour stop).
Since then, Rufio disbanded and Mike has turned his time to Science Fiction Theater, which has solidified its lineup with drummer Brian Marquez.
Mike Jimenez said the transition from playing the drums to the guitar in the studio hasn't been that bad, but being a frontman on stage is a bit surreal.
"I'm used to being able to hide behind the drum set," he said.
The band's vibe also is more conducive to making the live transition.
"Luckily the music we've been playing is head-bobbing and not so much jumping around," he said.
The band released its debut EP, "City Saints," digitally. It's available on the bands myspace page.
Science Fiction Theater is working on a full-length album and is previewing it on a West Coast tour, which will be at the Glass House in Pomona on Sep. 1.

BY VANESSA FRANKO
- The Press-Enterprise

"More people need to listen to this band. So good!"
-Absolutepunk.net

"BAND OF THE WEEK"
-Inland Empire Weekly


- various

CITY OF ORIGIN: Rancho Cucamonga

MEMBERS AND INSTRUMENTS: Matt Jimenez (guitar, vocals, keys); Artie Marchain (bass); Mike Jimenez (lead vocals, guitar, drums).
RECENT RELEASE: The City Saints EP (self-released, 2006)
KINDRED SPIRITS: What would happen if Jim Adkins, Ryan Adams, Ken Andrews and Matthew Sweet got trapped in an elevator together, for 12 hours, with nothing but water, a guitar and (obviously) a lot of time on their hands? This would happen.

WEBSITE: www.myspace.com/sftrock



It doesn’t really come as much of a surprise to us that Science Fiction Theater is probably the best rock band we’ve ever heard come out of Rancho Cucamonga. And it’s not at all astonishing that their mature, melodic rock tracks have been aired on the nation’s most influential rock radio station, L.A.’s KROQ. In fact, when we learned that SFT is actually lead vocalist/guitarist/drummer Mike Jimenez’s latest band—he most notably hails from nationally-recognized pop-punksters Rufio—our expectations were already high.



That’s because Rufio is probably the other best rock band we’ve ever heard come out of Rancho. Though they’re often lumped into the Bleed Hope Kill Sky Fall Dream-type of bands (use any three of those words interchangeably and you’ve got a new screamo band performing at an all-ages venue), the act’s always been several rungs higher up the ladder than their contemporaries. And so, it was fitting that the bar was already lofty when Jimenez, along with brother Matt and bassist Artie Marchain, opted to exit Rufio and permanently open the doors of the Science Fiction Theater a few years ago.



The act played its first show in February 2006 and embarked on a regional tour up and down the western U.S. with Hopefield last year, though they’ve spent most of this year off the road, working on a forthcoming full-length that’s yet untitled. (“The name of our upcoming album is most likely going to be called either Coma Dream or Mono in Stereo,” he divulges. “Which do you find more interesting?”)



“Our vision for [Science Fiction Theater] is to make music that doesn't compromise,” says Jimenez. “We enjoy making honest music that doesn't add things like screamers, dance beats, vocoders, etcetera, just for the sake of fitting into the scene—no offense. We hope that our albums will not age in five, ten, or even 20 years from now.”



And with the type of terrific, timeless tunes we’ve heard thus far, we’re apt to wager a few chips that such won’t be the case.

–Waleed Rashidi - IE WEEKLY

By Erika Sorocco - For The Californian | Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ghouls, goblins, ghosts, and �- Science Fiction Theater.

Halloween may seem like the perfect time for trick or treating, dressing up, and finding yourself in the midst of all sorts of mischief. But for Rancho Cucamonga's Science Fiction Theater, the festivities will begin a day early, when they perform at a pre-Halloween bash at The Wire Music and Art Venue in Upland, where the quartet, who have had to overcome numerous obstacles since forming, will showcase their sound.

"We were picked apart mostly because people that liked or disliked my old band had pre-conceived notions of the new band before they even heard us play," Mike Jimenez said. "I really wanted to keep our first year or so on the down-low because I knew we had to get through playing a bunch of really bad shows before we could get fully comfortable on stage. I think we're just now starting to find our niche on the stage; so if you came out to see us anytime from 2006-2007, in the words of The Jackson 5 'Ooh baby give me (us) one more chance.'"

While Rancho Cucamonga's Mike and Matt Jimenez, Fontana's Artie Marchain, and Hacienda Heights' Brian Marquez spent much of their childhood jamming together, it wasn't until the summer of 2005 that it occurred to them to form a true band.

Swiping the name Science Fiction Theater from an obscure scene in "Back to the Future," the quartet recorded a few songs, but didn't continue creating any others. At the time, Jimenez was busy with his constantly-touring band Rufio, when he decided to book a little studio time, and record a few more songs with his pals.

"While recording those three songs is when we started thinking 'let's do this for real,'" Jimenez said. "It came to a point where I was on tour with Rufio, but couldn't wait to get home and write songs with my brother and Artie. In 2006 Rufio did their final tour of the U.S., and then called it a day. Since then Science Fiction Theater has been our main focus musically."

Science Fiction Theater plays Oct. 30 at The Wire Music and Art Venue in Upland, along with Runner Runner, Like Lepers, Fiasco!, and Jeff Moon. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the show is open to all ages.

"I think we all agree, we write what we want to write, and we're not trying to fit into any scene," Jimenez said. "We're not going to add a screamer, dance beats, or a vocoder. I think in some odd way that will set us apart."

For now, Science Fiction Theater, who relies heavily on '80s and '90s rock such as The Pixies, The Smiths, Superdrag, Failure, and The Cure, want attendants to know exactly what they can expect at tonight's show.

"To win a million dollars �- so come," Jimenez joked. "Maybe a dueling drum solo, as well."

Science Fiction Theater with Runner Runner, Like Lepers, Fiasco! and Jeff Moon

When: 7 p.m. Oct. 30

Where: The Wire Music & Art Venue, 247 N. 2nd Avenue, Upland

Tickets: $10

Info: (909) 985-9466

Listen: myspace.com/sftrock - The Californian