Meet the Band
Jay Opalia
My name is Jay Ryan P. Opalia, the drummer of titofelix, but you can call me “Baby Jay.”
Everyone else does (even though I’m not the youngest anymore!).
I was born in Chicago, Illinois, and lived there for about ten years. My musical training began there, starting with the violin. That ended pretty quickly or, at least, that’s what my parents tell me. Apparently, I was deeply afraid of my violin teacher and would burst into tears at the mere sight of her apartment building. Then, came the piano. I remember my first piano teacher being a stern Czechoslovakian woman, who later ended up giving us her cat. I don’t think there was a month that passed that I didn’t cry during my lessons with her. But it was a start.
For the longest time, the only thought classical piano songs, choir songs, and whatever my dad sang on the karaoke (“…at the Coca, Coca Cabana!”) were the only forms of music. It wasn’t until a couple of kids at the Christian school I attended introduced me to Nirvana. I know my parents bemoan that day. But, it made me want to pick up a guitar and rock out. Well, everyone I knew played guitar, so I thought to myself, “Play the drums and you can start a band!”
I met titofelix through a mutual friend dear to my heart, the Egyptian Magician.
E.M. told me about a band that needed a drummer. So, we set up a little tryout. The first thing I remember was seeing this blond Filipino guy in scrubs walk in with a bass guitar and thinking, “Oh, my God.” But, fifty verses of “La Bamba” and a fun cover of Sublime’s “Santeria” later, and I was sure that I wanted to play with these guys. I’ve jammed with a lot of other people, and I can’t say I’ve ever found anybody as talented and professional as these guys.
In my spare time…wait a minute, what spare time?
Right now, I’m in my second year of nursing school and it is kicking my ass. If I’m not playing with the guys, I’m out there sticking things into people’s orifices with no fear of retribution. Seriously? Oh, well, I still keep up with the piano, but now I only cry on Saturdays. I’ve recently taken an interest in photography, but I’m told that I go through a lot of “phases.” Someone should help me start the phase of “making money.” I think that would be a fun hobby.
What do I want people to know about me?
How about this…I’m not really thirteen!
Seriously. I’m not.
Thank you.