Leather Boots

Xavier is new to the Humboldt scene, having arrived from Southern California in 2006. He’s excited to soak in the local music at Arts Alive, the Folklife Festival, Arcata Farmer’s Market, the summer concert series on the Boardwalk, and the Jazz and Blues Festivals. His wife and three kids happily tag along, toting the snack bag.

Xavier describes his lifelong interest in music: “Born in the 60’s, raised in the 70’s, schooled in the 80’s and rocked in the 90’s. Music was just part of us, our family. When we were kids, my dad played guitar – the same two damn songs forever. I guess I subconsciously liked it because through the years, I played piano, clarinet, guitar, drums and bass guitar. My sister played piano for a time. My older brother played guitar and sang, and still does as a hobby. My younger brother also still plays guitar as a hobby.”

“In the late 80’s and early 90’s, my brothers and I played the Sunset strip, Lake Havasu and SoCal in the rock band, Piper. Later in the 90’s, I wrote some songs and gathered some friends in Long Beach and Ventura to create Jester X, a funk/rock band. Currently, I write music, sing and play bass, both solo and as part of Woven Tone, a psychedelic folk rock band here in Eureka.”

You can catch Leather Boots Wednesdays from 5-7 pm. Listen for special features like Make Me Laugh and Compare, Contrast and Inspiration. Xavier will play alternative, punk, ska, and rock from the 80’s to the mid-90’s. You’ll hear a diverse selection from bands such as Alice in Chains, Ministry, U2, Bjork, Smashing Pumpkins and Beastie Boys. You’ll also have the opportunity to be part of the show by emailing in a joke for Make Me Laugh (e-mail: blueoxpunk@live.com).

Xavier hopes you can identify with or learn from his show: “So why am I here at Blue Ox? I’m stuck in the 80’s and 90’s (some of you are too) and no other station plays this kind of music. So Leather Boots goes out to all the alterna/punk/ska/rockers who keep the love and to all the young people who want to learn about their rock roots.”