by Ron Gonzales
Daily Lobo
OK, let's get this straight: Ozomatli is definitely not a local band.
Even so, Ozomatli has already logged four performances since December 2001 in New Mexico - three in Santa Fe and one in Albuquerque - that might prompt some to mistakenly consider them local.
This time around, though, the pot's been sweetened.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
Opening for the Grammy-winning Ozomatli is the world-renowned Fishbone, which, for a good part of the 90's, ruled the alternative ranks with its ska, funk and hard rock stylings before member defections gutted the band.
Still, Ozomatli percussionist Jiro Yamaguchi said he remembered when the two bands' roles were reversed.
"I don't really see it as us being the bigger band," Yamaguchi said in a phone interview from his Los Angeles home. "There's a lot of mutual respect there and I guess right now we're more out there than they are. But props to them for still being out there and doing it."
Yamaguchi said Ozomatli has kept busy touring and readying material for a new release, slated to hit the stands next summer.
Also, members of the band recently made their acting debut in the PBS series "American Family," which traces the lives of a Latino family living in east Los Angelos.
"Acting is like any other art form," Yamaguchi said. "It takes a lot of practice and study and knowing what you're doing. It's not what we usually do but it was fun."
And Ozomatli is still celebrating its February Grammy Award in the Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album category for "Embrace the Chaos," the band's sophomore release.
"We were definitely glad that it happened," Yamaguchi said. "We don't do this in order to get the awards and the recognition, although getting recognition is always nice."
Sunday's all-ages show begins at 8 p.m. at the Sunshine Theatre, 120 Central Ave. Tickets are $15 and are available through Ticketmaster, 883-7800 or at www.ticketmaster.com.
