BB Chung King & The Buddaheads  Interview with Pat Benny

Pat: We're visiting today with Alan Mirikitani, better known as BB Chung King. First question: do you prefer to be called Alan or BB?

BB: I've been called worse things in my life. BB or Alan is just fine. 

Pat: I first heard of BB Chung King in the early 90s. A friend of mine had seen you perform and told me how fantastic you were. When I remarked on the name, he said that you had to change the name to the Buddahheads because of a threatened lawsuit. When I asked why B.B. King would want to sue, he said it wasn't B.B. King; It was Chung King Foods! I've been repeating this story for years. Is there any truth at all to this story, or have I been perpetuating an urban myth?

BB: The food company and B.B. King's people said don't do it. RCA said that there are so many "screaming" bands right now, how about calling the band "Buddaheads?" We said O.K. The band is now called BB Chung King and the BUDDAHEADS. As long as my name is in small print, they can't come after us (so my lawer says).

Pat: Well, your name is certainly no secret anymore. How does it feel to be a member of the "One million club" on mp3?

BB: Isn't the internet a wonderful place? People world wide can hear our music, and it's just awesome!

Pat: As you know, everyone here at Southbound Beat just loves your new CD release, "REAL." How is it doing?

BB: It's doing great. We're actually making a little money with it, enough to finance the next CD.

Pat: I presume that REAL was recorded in your studio, known as the Dawghouse?

BB: Yes, the whole CD; everything in my little laboratory. (laughs)

Pat: When I reviewed REAL, I had some fun with the Pro Tools thing. Could you tell us what Pro Tools is and how it works?

BB: It is a computer based recording medium that allows you to have so much more artistic freedom. It's just a great musicians's tool!

Pat: Is this a cost effective recording device, and do think this will help undiscovered artists make a more competitive product. In other words, will Pro Tools help level the playing field?

BB: It already has. Pro Tools and devices like it are the wave of the future.

Pat: I have to admit that, while I love the sound on REAL, I turned down the assignment of reviewing The Regulators' European release, ABOVE THE LAW, because I preferred the U.S. version, entitled BAR AND GRILL. ABOVE THE LAW is a re-mastered version of BAR AND GRILL, using Pro Tools. Am I just a freak? I have to admit that I never cared for Dolby, either. I always preferred to hear the cymbals, despite the tape hiss!

BB: The only problem with Pro Tools is that some of the people using it either know what they're doing or they don't. There are so many options that a lot of people tend to use them all instead of using their ears!

Pat: Have you always played an active role in the technical aspects of your recordings?

BB: I have always heard things in my head that I wanted to hear, but couldn't explain them to the producer. So, I told myself that I'd better get my recording chops together! 

Pat: What other changes in the recording process has occurred since you began?

BB: Some things don't change, like the kind of mic pres and mics that I use. I use ant farm a lot (software plug in for Pro Tools). It makes life so much more artistic and easy. Also with Pro Tools, I start to mix the song as I am recording it. When I move on to another song, I don't lose the mix I have. Oh yeah, I don't have to lug around heavy reels of tape!

Pat: What do you predict for the recording industry?

BB: Mob boss Gatti quipped when asked if he wanted to get involved with the music business: "Hell no, they're all crooks!" True story! They'll find a way to rip everybody off again, but right now the internet is really messing with them.

Pat: What advice can you give to artists that are just finding out that mere talent is not enough to make it in the music business?

BB: Get good management, love what you do, because the guy with less talent but loves his work will always be better than you if you're just cruising.

Pat: Do you think that Southern California is a more competitive environment for blues entertainers than other parts of the country and, if so, how do you cope?

BB: Well, I don't compete; I just do what I do. I don't worry about what other musicians think about my music. If you do,it will put you in a corner. I just try to express myself within the format that I know best. I think there is room for all blues artists in SoCal. If you're real about what you do, you will do well anywhere in the world. This is the kind of music that you can't fake. You can fake the notes, but the listener knows when it ain't real.

Pat: Well, I can tell you firsthand that you are one of the most respected musicians in Southern California-- and probably all over the world, by now. I understand that you frequently tour in Japan. How did this come about?

Pat: Do you ever tour in Europe?

BB: I toured there as a guitar player for other artists. I'm going there this fall to promote the BUDDAHEADS ne release, MUMBO JUMBO and do some producing, as well.

Pat: I'm one of those guys that has played blues harmonica for so long that I've actually gotten pretty good, relatively speaking. I've never pestered a band to let me sit in because, as I've explained to family and friends, bands don't want to be bothered with guys like me. Then, one night at one of your shows, you let some cat come up and blow a tune. Does this occur often, and how do you handle it?

BB: Most of the time, they are guys that I know. As you know, some harp players think they know what to do but...Here's a clue: we play detuned to E flat. If a harp player has his flat harps with him, he is probably pretty good. You are welcome to sit in anytime.

Pat: Well, I appreciate the generous offer, but the boys down at the American Legion hall do a medium shuffle in E that is just my speed. (laughs) Who are your early influences in playing blues guitar?

BB: I picked a record off the discount bin when I was five years old. I didn't know what I had, I just grabbed one. When I got home and put it on, it was Jimmy Reed's BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY, the flip side was MR. LUCK. Man, it was music from another planet! When I got older, I gravitated to Cream, Hendrix, all the contemporary guitar players of the time, who then turned me on to the Three Kings--B.B., Freddie and Albert. The list of blues guitar players that influenced me is an interview all by itself!

Pat: Can you turn us on to any new guitarslingers on the horizon?

BB: I just produced an artist named CORBY YATES. His CD is called BACK FROM YESTERDAY on NTS records. This kid is unbelievable, I just want to break his hands! (laughs) Just kidding, of course. He is very talented and ever so humble. You'll be hearing more from this kid, he is the future! Also, the guy in the band THE BLACK KEYS reminds of old Fleetwood Mac before they had chicks in the band. They are my new favorite band!

Pat: Tell them both to contact Ray Carver, publisher, SBM. If they want to send Ray his pound of flesh (three copies of their CDs), we'll be happy to spend some ink on them. BB, why do some guitarists require as many as four or five different guitars when they perform live? Do you ever use more than one?

BB: Sometimes you play different licks when you use a different guitar. Sometimes it's for the obvious reasons, such as open tuning, slide, ext. For me, I switch to a single Les Paul for a couple of songs and it puts me in a whole other vibe. But usually, I stick to the strat because it's an easy guitar to handle when you're singing at the same time--all the knobs are easily at hand; you don't have to look at the guitar to make adjustments.

Pat: Do you prefer heavy strings or light?

BB: 11-48 when in E flat tuning, 10-46 when in regular tuning. I would use heavier strings, but my hands can't take it anymore!

Pat: What other kinds of music do you listen to besides the blues?

BB: Well, I have settled into what I do best, but the producing thing lets me be involved with all kinds of music and I love it! Everything from P.O.D. to straight jazz.

Pat: Is it too early for you to tell us what your next recording will be like?

BB: Just finished the new one, MUMBO JUMBO. It's an experiment in stretching the blues form--everything from full out jams to a cover of John Lee Hooker's tune, MOOD FOR LOVE, done as a blues, rap style with guest rapper hiphop king DEX and it rocks! The CD release will be out this fall on NTS records and through the website at: www.buddaheads.com. You can get the mp3 version of the CD at: www.mp3.com/buddaheads. Also, there will be a US release of the best of the buddaheads on GROOVEYARD records coming out this fall, as well. For more info, please go to www.grooveyardrecords.com.

Pat: BB, Alan, I want to thank you for spending this time with us. It certainly has been enlightening. You and your band are a shining example of how to survive, even thrive in the music business today. I hope that other artists will follow your example. It's time the record buying public understood that they don't have to restrict their listening pleasure to the music that has been spoon fed to them by the moguls of the industry. There is an alternative.

BB: Thanks so much for your time and support!

Pat: This has been Pat Benny with BB Chung King for Southbound Beat Magazine. You can visit & The Buddaheads on their website at: http://www.buddaheads.com




Interview by Pat Benny