note this The one common ground that kept these four young men rooted on the same stage was their passion for music. M & W talks to Rueben Thomas, one of the co-founder and ex-member of the group Naked Breed on how it all started and his future plans. LIFE AFTER BREEDING THE BEAT T heir self-titled album received mixed reviews and sold over 13,000 copies (up until September 2001). From then, the band has been doing gigs at corporate functions and parties. They were also fortunate to enough to open the Deep Purple concert March Although they did not get the opportunity to meet the band at the concert, they were still thrilled and excited by the opportunity, as it was the biggest crowd they’d ever played for. And since its M & W first edition, we had an opportunity to have an interview with one of the co-founder and ex-member of the local band Naked Breed, Rueben Thomas. M & W: How did it all begin? Rueben Thomas: Justin, the lead vocalist and me were in the same college, Help Institute and were in the same class SR 13 year 95. He was wearing Nine Inch Nails t-shirt and I was wearing Megadeth. Justin came up to me and said “ You listen to hem” and I said “Hell yea”. That’s how it all begun. Justin invited me to jam at his place and after awhile we planned to start a two piece band. But it didn’t work out. We couldn’t make the kind of music we had in mind. That’s how the drummer, Sara and bassist Jai came in the picture. M: Who writes the songs? R: Justin and me. M: What inspires you to write songs. Is there any message you like to send out through the song? R: Nothing really. Usually when I have nothing much to do or when I am really bored, ideas just pours out. There are no hidden message or meaning to any of the songs. The accompanying melodies are tunes that we felt in our souls. M: Which is your favorite song and video? R: It has to be Tribute for both. It was the song that got us to where we were. M: When was the first time you heard your song being played on air? R : It was year 2000, I was with my mum and sister in the car and Hitz.fm played the demo version of Tribute. My mum and sis didn’t believe me at first. They said that our song would not be played on air. I started calling the other members and told them to listen to Hitz. It was a very shocking but yet an exciting moment for all of us. M: Why did you leave the band? R: Well…Time and financial constrains. But I am planning to have a solo project after I am settled with a job. M: How many years have you been playing guitar. R: Hmm…about 16 years plus. M: Where did you learn to play the guitar? R: No formal training. Self thought. Learned to play from friends. Well actually my brother use to go for classes. He didn’t have much interest in playing because he was forced into it. Then one day, I took his guitar that was lying in one corner with only two strings and started playing it. I liked the sound of it and ever since then couldn’t keep my hands of them. M: Besides the guitar, do you play any other instruments? R: I use to go for organ classes. Was forced into it by my parents. I wasn’t really keen in it. M: Did you ever expect to make it in a band? R: Never did expect. Playing the guitar was actually a hobby. Never thought I would go this far. “Well…time and financial constrains. But I am planning to have a solo project after I am settled with a job”  Rueben Thomas 36

note this M: Do you still keep in touch with the other band members? R: Just the drummer, Sara. I call Justin once in a while. Still friends with them. No grudges. M: Are you happy with your accomplishments? R: Not really. Not rich yet. Hahaha M: What are your future goals or accomplishment you hope to achieve? R: Music is my passion. I want to write and make a song that will make it internationally and of course be RICH. M: Let’s get more personal. What do you look for in a girl? R: Cute, Sexy, Horny, Big Tits. Hahaha…..A girl who can take care of herself and with good personality will do the trick as well. M: How many serious relationships had u been in? R: Hmmmmmmm……One….For eight months. M: Are you looking for a serious relationship? R: At the moment NO… I want to accomplish more. M: Do you want to give any advice on relationship to the readers? R: Don’t get married young. M: How about on music? Do you have any advice for music lovers that would want to make it one day? R: It is all about hard work and determination. Don’t try to copy others. Be genuine, be yourself. Your music has to be fresh and different. Keep trying your BEST!! “ Its all about hard work and determination”  Rueben Thomas BIODATA Name: Rueben Thomas Sex: Male Age: 28 Status: Single Date Of Birth: December 13 th 1976 Horoscope: Sagittarius Education:- Help Institute/ ADP - Boston Training for IT - SISCO Networking - Barkly Scholl of Music “Music is my passion, I want to write and make a song that will make it internationally” Rueben Thomas 37