At one time, the Felonious Groove Foundation had nine members.
"We would go to a show, and it'd look like a clown posse getting out of the car," guitarist Cali Soberanes said. "The van door would open up, and it'd be a nonstop line of musicians getting out. It must have been pretty humorous to see."
Today, the Felonious Groove Foundation has four members. Their music is a blend of funk, salsa and rock 'n' roll.
"The essence of Felonious is we always mix our styles," Soberanes said. "Keeping it exciting to ourselves. It's not an easy task to make it all seamlessly flow together."
The band's lineup also includes Todd Lovato on vocals and bass, Colin Darby on vocals and saxophone, and rotating drummers Ragon Espinoza, Rick Moraga and Mike Jaramillo. At the band's core are Soberanes and co-singer and songwriter Lovato.
"Him and I met in high school in Santa Fe and then moved the project down here to Albuquerque," Soberanes said. "Well, we weren't a band then. We were just two UNM students playing music."
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As the story goes, Soberanes and Lovato were encouraged by a bar owner to start a band after playing at an open mic. Now, after three albums, the duo have managed to keep their music alive by playing live shows.
"Being a bar band is tiring," Soberanes said. "Playing all weekend. Staying up late and then getting up and going to work on Monday. You have to be self-sufficient most times. Bring your own P.A., etc."
Felonious Groove Foundation has traveled to California, Arizona and Colorado to perform. They've also played all over Albuquerque, opening up for the Dirty Dozen Brass Band at the Launchpad and the Backstreet Boys at The Journal Pavilion.
"By the way, the scariest sound in the world is 14,000 screaming girls for the Backstreet Boys," Soberanes said.
He said playing at Club Rhythm & Blues on Monday nights was memorable because the place was always packed.
For 10 years they've managed to keep it together, but Soberanes said the music is what has kept the Foundation going.
"There's been moments when it feels like everything's going to fall apart at the seams," he said. "I think we stayed together 'cause we found good friendships. (Lovato) is almost like the brother I never had. I mean, we're family. But even when we have our fights or disagreements, we know we have to do better than that. So, we rise to the occasion and make good music, 'cause that's what it's about."
Felonious Groove fans are apt to be seen out of their seats and dancing. Crowd participation is important to the band.
"It's kind of our pathos to keep the audience involved," Soberanes said. "We yell out 'Orale' a lot. We go to Denver and say it and we hear crickets chirping. Everyone just looks around. But we try to have the crowd say things back to us to keep them involved. And we usually make our set lists on the spot by feeling out the audience."
Felonious Groove puts their own spin on cover songs, but Lovato and Soberanes' original songs are the gems of their musical endeavors.
"I write mine - he writes his," he said. "Then we have a good skeleton, and then we come together and work out the kinks. Just him and I. Then we make a little recording and give it out to the band. Then we come together and knock it out. It's better if everybody knows it before we come together."
The Felonious Groove Foundation plays Sunday at WilLee's Blues Club in Santa Fe and June 6 at the Monte Vista Fire Station in Albuquerque. Though it's not a rich and famous rock band, the members still enjoy making a difference in people's lives, Soberanes said.
"I guess, as a musician, you would like to have your music out in the world," he said. "But having a local fan base is great. Having a show with people you know and enjoy the music - that's very rewarding in its own sense. There's definitely something that drives us to keep playing."
