About Val Mora

How long have you been playing?

Started age 5 w/ spoken word and percussion and witnessed a contra-bassist visiting my kindergarden. At 8, decided I would be a rock musician after watching the Beatles on Ed Sullivan (took note of Paul, of course). Age 12, got an Epiphone acoustic guitar from my uncle. At 13, took basic guitar lessons. At 14, bought a Hagstrom-necked (sweet action) on a F-jazz body bass for $50. At 15, started my first rock band out of my parent's garage w/ a 14 yr old friend (Dito G). He acquired a Gibson SG and a small Ampeg and we hooked up w/ his 8th grade classmate on drums (Homer G). Our first gig was for their 8th grade grad dance (I was in 9th) and it was there that our future lead singer (Mike G) offered to hold the mic (cuz I had no stand) and when I had turned around to adjust my borrowed Fender Bassman, he began to sing the Grand Funk RR tune we had began and we decided that was cool. That summer we met our future drummer (Gerardo R) and by my Junior year, we enticed a Senior student/guitar wizard from my high school (Dennis B) to join us.

We named the band HEYOKA after the legend of the Native American term for tribal outcasts, misfits and shaman-like rebels. Our notoriety led us to get noticed by SA's local rock DJ/promoter, Joe Anthony, who arranged for us to be the opening act for RUSH (Their defining American gig south of the Canadian border that brought them national attention as SA would soon be deemed the "heavy metal capital of the world") in October 1975. The gig was booked at a local renovated bowling alley by the name of Randy's Rodeo. A few years later, after many glorious road gigs and memories, I eventually passed on my position and the historical accuracy of my legacy, to good friend guitarist/bassist (Pat H). I realized a dream come true when Heyoka reunited with me in the 40th anniversary year of opening for Rush, headlining a three-act bill at the historic Aztec Theater, on the beautiful River Walk in downtown San Antonio on Saturday, July 18, 2015. Dreams DO come true!

During a needed 6 yr hiatus, I was introduced to the practice of Nichiren Buddhism at age 25 by a keyboard/singer/best friend (Bryan K) and its resulting self-empowering benefits allowed me to be an active father to my 5 children and still be a happy (albeit struggling) buddha bass rocker. Recently, I was approached by Rob K from the UK, the surviving lead-guitarist of Trapeze (post Glenn H.) to assist in a Trapeze re-boot. I'm still rocking with the power trio N'Somnia. And now I'm moving forward, co-writing original arena-style rock songs with Austin-based Forever Town! (forevertowntribe.com)

Thanks to everyone who has been a part of this long strange trip. I dedicate my remaining rock energies to my father Val G. Mora, Jr. and sister Belinda M. Marr, and especially my brave mother Rachel in her fight against the cancer industry and her victorious transition! I miss you. Also to my brothers of Heyoka, vocalist Michael Paul Grothues, sound engineer Oscar "Lenny" Garza, and keyboardist Rick Majni, and all those who have shuffled this mortal coil to finally harmonize with the eternal sacred song that is life- Nam Myoho Renge Kyo!!! I love you all. Keep rockin' it LIVE!!!

What was the first concert you ever went to?

I was raised w/ live music at my grandparents resataurant/bar/reception hall called the Patio Andeluz (Light of the Andes) which was located downtown SA (Martin St at Colorado St.) thru the '60's. It was here, at the ages of 7 thru 12, that I would spend summer nights listening to regional Conjunto and traditional Polkas, Rancheras and what would become Tejano music in my grandparents' outdoor venue. I heard Sonny Ozuna and the Sunliners, Randy Garibay, the beginnings of the West Side Horns, The Royal Jesters, etc. I had been aware of the local rock scene cuz of Augie Meyers and Doug Sahm. The late 60's was a time for the Teen Canteen in SA, a venue for minors to rock out to bands like The Moving Sidewalks (later to become ZZ Top!) and Flash which is the birth-band of Christopher Cross.

In '69, my father took us to the Astrodome and Astro World in Houston where I saw a 3 piece rock band in a small shell-shaped stage. I recall them playing "Get Together" by The Youngbloods. Around 1970, our family went on an over night excursion to Spring Branch, Tx. There was a band hired to play on Fri night and tho' I don't remember who they were, I remember they kicked ass! They were a cover rock band that was doing the early Zeppelin and Grand Funk and Who that I had missed. I had been denied going to the Woodstock festival the summer before which only served to stoke the fire of rock n roll in my passionate young heart.

I guess the first rock concert I went to see was Jethro Tull on their Aqualung tour and followed up by attending their Passion Play tour between '71 and '73 at the Municipal Auditorium and the Hemisfair Arena. I had gone w/ fellow Heyokans and friends and I'm certain we were all under the influence of trendy chemical amusement aid back then. I remember Aerosmith playing outdoors in Sayers, Tx back in '74. Later Heyoka would be opening up for Rush, Moxy, BOC, Judas Priest, Kansas, Trapeze, Budgie, Molly Hatchet, Navasota, Freddie King, got to know Eric Johnson w/ the Electromagnets, Iron Butterfly, Ted Nugent, Quick Silver Messenger Service, Mark Farner and Grand Funk Railroad and many others all thru the early Heyoka years. Those first Tull shows were very entertaining filled w/ lights, flames and explosions. I still go see Yes shows, Santana concerts and huge arena-filled concerts to this day when I can.

What gear do you use?

I been rockin' an Ibanez Sound Gear 5 string w/ Bartelini's and an Ampeg SVT-pro 3 w/ 410 HLF cab. I step on a Boss GT-6B Bass effects processor for live consumption. And even tho I tried getting away from moving heavy-ass equipment, I am currently using Forever Town's bass rig, a Peavey Nitrobass 2x10/1x15 double cab configuration! Argh! Can't wait to afford roadies! But, it sounds great!

I would like to get back into an upright 5 string electric bass one day soon. At one time, I accompanied the various flute players in my life w/ a recorder flute. For song writing ideas, I use both a Takamine acoustic/electric guitar and a Wurlitzer Upright piano at home. Also, various keyboards for live performance when required and too often, provide PA equipment and transportation for gigs that the band self promotes. (No local honest booking reps in the good ol' boy, right-to-work State of Texas which explains the reason there is an amazing population of blues musicians here). My current bass is my favorite instrument.

Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?

In this life, I would have to say first Paul McCartney and The Beatles. Their debut in '64 on the Ed Sullivan was so what the world needed after Kennedy's assassination. Even at 8 yrs old, I knew I was witnessing history. They were fun! Then they grew and developed and literally shaped the era. Next, I would have to say Chris Squire of Yes, John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin and Jaco Pastorius of fusion jazz lore all influenced me as did the bassist vocalists of the next 4 decades.

I am now the bassist for Forever Town.
Band mates are: Danny "Ram" Ramsay, guitarist, vocalist and tune-smith, brother Jayson "Bones" Ramsay on drums and vocals, and me, Valentin "Medicine Man" Mora on bass and vocals. The brothers have really made me feel welcome. Check us out at forevertowntribe.com. I'm really diggin' the new CD, "Players and Dealers." Please give a listen at reverbnation.com/forevertown and check us out on Facebook.

Have you been in bands?

Have I been in bands? I founded the iconic rock band HEYOKA ('71 - '77) w/ Dito Garcia, Mike Grothues, Gerardo Ramirez, Dennis Bonnet. Heyoka left an indelible mark forever on the history of Texas rock.

I've played in rock bands since then. Here are the bands, some bandmates, and performances I remember:

Mother West Wind ('69-'71), Heyoka ('71-'77)Eastern Fleet ('78-'79); Traces ('80-'81); Ivory Ryder ('81-'83) w/ Robert 'Redhouse' Jenkins, Roy Pace, Lloyd Roberts, Bryan Knight, Louis Parra, Arsenio Lopez; Road Fever ('81- '83) w/ Roy and Randy Ledesma, Arsenio Lopez, Lloyd Roberts; Second Wind ('83-'86) w/ Paula Thompson, Dito Garcia, Brian Goldberg; SGI-USA World Peace 4th of July show at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, HI ('85) and the sesquicentennial celebration of American Independence and renovation of Lady Liberty at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York ('86) w/ collectively over 50,000 fellow Buddhists; The Drifters of Victoria ('86-'87); Beth Williams and First Class ('87-'88); The View ('88-'89) w/ Clark Stevens, Bryan Knight, Jody Moore; Eddie and the All Nighters ('89-90); Arevalo ('90-'91); The Coates Twins ('91-'92) w/ John Arevalo, Lloyd Roberts; Shaman/Medicine Men ('92-'95) w/ Gerardo Ramirez, Rick Majni, Jeff Doyle, Joe Pulcini, Dave Alcocer; Bodhi Lingo ('96-'98) w/ Aldo Martinez, Jay Legeaux, Lloyd Roberts; Thrust ('98-'99) featuring Jartse Tuominen; Buster ('00-03) w/ John "Guido" Gonzalez, Curt Thompson, Joey Carr; Bamboo ('03-'05) w/ Casey Cortez, Gerard Trevino, Robin Lopez, Joey Carr; Mora, Brooks and Doyle ('05 - '06) w/ Jason Brooks, Jeff Doyle; N'Somnia ('06 to '14) w/ Jeff Doyle, Gerardo Ramirez, Jerry Doyle, Rick Majni, Lloyd Roberts, Dito Garcia, Bugs Garza, and Maria Bosquez (in various incarnations of the band over the years), and Forever Town (2014 to present) with Danny Ramsay and Jayson Ramsay.

In my memory are my brothers of Heyoka, vocalist Michael Paul Grothues, sound engineer Oscar "Lenny" Garza, and all those who have gone before us. Together, we all continue to sing in the Choir of Eternity!

Are you in a band?

Heyoka in 1974 (Val 2nd from right)

I have also worked as: Stage manager and sound and light engineer at Far West Rodeo now Cowboy Dance Hall ('98-'00); Contract labor for stage, sound and lighting for the Alamodome, Freeman Coliseum, AT&T Center ('94-present ).

Peace.

What's the biggest audience you ever performed to?

What's the smallest?

Most memorable: I was 19 when Joe Anthony of KISS FM asked Heyoka to open for Rush's most influential gig south of the Canadian border (Oct. 1975) at a renovated bowling alley / dance hall called Randy's Rodeo on Bandera Rd in NW San Antonio, Tx. The place was filled to capacity. I remember people sitting on the floor, side by side in front of us. I met Geddy, Neal and Alex afterwards (not that they would remember me) but during their last visit to the AT&T Center in Sept of '11, Geddy mentioned that gig and Randy's Rodeo by name!

The biggest audience I ever performed to was for 3 days at the Waikiki Shell in Honolulu, HI for Independence Day week '85 w/ over 35,000 in attendance. The following summer of '86 for 2 days during 4th of July celebrations for the renovation of Lady Liberty in NY at the Madison Square Gardens arena; to about 35,000 people again. The smallest audiences: Any last minute bookings at local clubs, etc.