Alberto Pena
A personal interview with “Berto”...
How long have you been playing?
I was in middle school in Guadalajara, Mexico when i heard two guys hanging around my neighborhood playing guitars. They were playing some CCR, Hollies, Queen, Rolling Stones, so i hung out with these guys until they finally decided to teach me how to play! One year later i discovered the bass guitar so i was invited to play with a classic rock band in Guadalajara when i was only 13, playing Foghat, Steve Miller Band and some Rolling Stones for fun.
What was your first concert?
1975 Three Dog Night in Mazatlan with my older brother. i can still remember the massive sound, "so loud, so cool "
What gear do you use?
Gallien-Kreuger 800rb with a 4, 10" and a 15" Hartke speakers. a 1984 BC Rich J Series Bass, a 5 string Yamaha, a Fender P Bass and a 1980's Kramer. My favorite is the BC Rich "for the memories".
Who was your biggest musical influence growing up?
John Paul Jones, Steve Porcaro, John Entwistle. and in the 80's Pino Palladino.
If you could jam with anyone, who would it be?
Keith Richards and Ronnie Wood, Jimi Hendrix, and Charlie Watts.
What's the biggest audience you ever performed to? What's the smallest?
Chicago's Rosemount Orizon for 6 thousand people, but my most memorable was playing with a four string guitar in the Pyrenees Mountains at a Basque party.
You're stuck on a desert island and only get to bring one album with you. What do you pick?
The Song Remains The Same by Zeppelin. When I was 13, I cut middle school to go see it as a matinee--a life-changing experience and shaped my perspective in music.