*Arion*

*3eb*

*Arion*

* page created by Amy Clausen summer 2001 *

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* He Said It*

"There's a downside to putting out a song like 'Semi-Charmed Life,' which has this pop
sheen on the outside, and then that's your first impression. A lot of people wrote us off
as a disposable pop band."

"When I was 5 years old My best friend was Japanese. He had the coolest toys, his mom made the best food and I had a crush on his older sister. I was at his house every day. Through them I began to appreciate the beauty of Japanese culture."

"Last time I came to Japan it was raining. I was stealing posters from train stations, eating Yaki-Imo on the streetside and getting crazy stares from departing commuters. It was a lonely, foreign feeling, but at the same time comforting and familiar."

"Now I have a band called Third Eye Blind. When we come, it will be different. I can't wait t walk the streets of Shimokitazawa or Asakusa with them and to come play for you. Keep in mind, we are a nocturnal bunch. So look closely and maybe you'll find us, laughing, late in the Tokyo night."

"For me, the audience is important in keeping it fresh because we're out there
playing the same songs, night after night."

"Music's like the only thing I really, really believe in and so I've always been totally
focused and just kind of sure that I was gonna, you know, that something was going
to happen with it. And it has."

[on the Spice Girls] "They have good songs, and they're soooo cute."

"I don't get depressed very often. I work really hard at being happy. Listening to and
playing music is a major force in keeping me happy every day."

"I think the album takes you to a place you might be wary of entering, but are curious about."

*Arion Grabriel Salazar*

*His name is pronounced "A-Ryan" or like the constellation "Orion" except with an "A" instead of an "O."*
*Birthday: August 9, 1972*
*He doesn't have his driver's license.*
*He is from Oakland, California.*
*He is the shortest member of Third Eye Blind at 5'10".*
*His musical idol is Paul McCartney.*
*He used to be a bassist in this band from the Bay Area called "Fungo Mungo." When people think of music in the Bay Area in the early 90's, Fungo Mungo comes to mind. Their music has been described as funk and they released one CD called "Humungous" in 1992. According to the Fungo Mungo CD, Arion's old nickname is "Thumpy Z" (from the "Humungous" CD booklet)--info from www.cwgca.com*
*Arion composed and performed the soundtrack to a video game called "Interstate '76." His music got a glowing review from the Gametrack site.*
*He's the only one in Third Eye Blind not to have attended U.C. Berkeley for college.*
*He got really sick in London with the flu and had to be hospitalized for three days. Third Eye Blind was unable to make one of their London performances.*
*Favorite song on the Third Eye Blind cd is "Background."*
*He plays the bass guitar, sings, and even plays the piano in one song ("Jumper") on the Third Eye Blind CD.*

*Biography from www.3eb.com*

Arion Salazar first picked up his first instrument around the age of three. "As soon as I was old enough to lift it," he explains. Salazar came from a musical family, and his dad played in bands throughout Arion's childhood. He got into playing bass after he'd been playing guitar for a couple of months. "It seemed like everyone was playing guitar, bass is like drums and guitar in one." He states, "I never really took bass lessons, I just learned the Rush album, Exit Stage Left." His friends were shocked at the speed with which he learned the entire album, but, "I've been listening to music more than anything else-watching T.V. playing outside, or anything since I was born," Salazar explains. "So it just kind of comes easy to me."

Salazar joined Third Eye Blind in 1993 after playing in various local bands since he was eighteen. Grateful for the experience he gained throughout those years, Salazar had the opportunity to "work with really talented musicians that pushed and inspired me to be better myself. I learned a whole lot." He continues to stay creative by drawing inspiration from simply playing music. "I'm always down to play for the song and that's my number one priority, but right there along with that I want to do something interesting; something beautiful, and something that makes a statement." Salazar looks to see the value and art in all kinds of music. "You get to the point where you just have to grow up and realize that there is great music all around you and it could be in any format." He also gets inspiration from watching films. "Watching great actors and filmmakers can be as inspirational as music," Salazar asserts.

Salazar is looking forward to kicking the tasty sides from the new album onstage with Third Eye Blind fans. "I just dig when other folks dig our scene, you dig," he explains. For Salazar, the band's new album is a step forward. He's proud and excited and "feeling nummy" about the bold new sounds and vibes, and the newer, deeper, wetter feel to the music. "It doesn't sound like more of the same. That keeps it fresh for me, the fact that this record is different from the last one." As for the near future, Salazar confides, " I don't see any obstacles for the new album. I just wanna go rock it live for our peoples."