Justin Valdez was born and raised in Tucson and works as a Realtor with Century 21 Centra Realty and as a resident-services specialist for the Pascua Yaqui Housing Department. Involved in the local music scene since the early 1990s, Valdez has played in several bands, but his main baby is the Last Call Brawlers (www.myspace.com/lastcallbrawlers), because he gets to indulge in all of his favorite musical styles: rockabilly, surf and punk.
What was the first concert you ever saw?
The Monkees with Weird Al Yankovic. I was in the third grade.
What are you listening to these days?
Sir Douglas Quintet; The Kinks.
What was the first album you owned?
Alice Cooper, Welcome to My Nightmare. I told my grandma it was what I wanted for my birthday (I was 8 or 9), and she got it for me. I don't think she really knew what she was buying.
What artist, genre or musical trend does everyone seem to love, but you just don't get?
The Top 40 junk they market as music. It makes my ears bleed.
What musical act, current or defunct, would you most like to see perform live?
Gene Vincent and the Blue Caps, in 1957!
Musically speaking, what is your favorite guilty pleasure?
Glam metal. The cheesier, the guiltier.
What song would you like to have played at your funeral?
Link Wray, "Rumble Mambo."
What band or artist changed your life, and how?
Marty Robbins. He came to my elementary school as part of the Young Audiences Arts (for Learning) program. When he played "El Paso," I remember hearing and feeling it. At that point, music replaced my G.I. Joes.
Figurative gun to your head, what is your favorite album of all time?
Trini Lopez, Live at PJ's. I love how you can hear the whole audience singing along with him and having a great time!
