The MotherHumbuckers

This Oakland band is called the MotherHumbuckers because their guitars have humbucker pickups on them and because, as they proclaim: "We are bad mother ... well, you get the idea." Their story starts in the early '90s, when Jose Marco and Rocky Reyes started "shredding" together in high school while in a band called Mutt. A few years after that band was put to sleep, Ollie Pabonan hooked up with Reyes and shared his silky, soulful vocals. The Pabonan-Reyes duo sharpened its sound with acoustic covers and originals. A few phone calls and a couple of bribes later, Marco made his way back behind the drum kit, bringing Martin Reyes (Rocky's brother) with him on bass. Before long, all electric hell broke loose.
[MP3: "Propaganda"]
Lineup: Jose Marco on drums; Martin Reyes on bass guitar; Ollie Pabonan and Rocky Reyes on guitars and vocals.
1. The MotherHumbuckers' music should be filed between:
Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lenny Kravitz. We all came from such different musical interests, ranging from Aaliyah to Zeppelin, A-ha, to ZZ Top. Our sound blends the blues, rock, funk and soul all into one. Some more subtle than others, of course.
2. The soundtrack to what movie would your music best match?
The next James Bond film. The ups and downs, drama and humor of Bond films seem like a good match to our set list. Plus, Bond girls.
3. If you could collaborate on a song with any person, living or dead, who would that be?
Prince. The underrated yet overstated guitarist makes his axes wail. He puts such emotion into his playing and his is truly a musical genius. Not to mention -- that scene with Apollonia in "Purple Rain."
4. If a junior high school asked you to play a cover song at the next talent show, what song and school would you choose?
"You May Be Right," by Billy Joel -- probably because of the lyrics. We do a rocked-out, intense version of the Red Hot Chili Peppers' "Otherside" that our adult fans enjoy. But for the students at Garnet J. Robertson Intermediate School or Fernando Rivera Intermediate School (both in Daly City), we'd have to go with something humorous, yet poignant.
5. What is the meaning of life?
Do what you have to do. Do what you love to do. Strive to make them one and the same.
Check them out: www.motherhumbuckers.com; myspace.com/motherhumbuckers
Next gig: 9 p.m. Friday. At Rockit Room. Part of the Emergenza Music Festival. $15, $10 advance. 406 Clement St., S.F. (415) 387-6343. www.rock-it-room.com - San Francisco Chronicle