San Diego Reader

Clifford M. Jomuad: Bass guitar, Electronics, Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric)

Genre: Acoustic, Blues & Soul, Pop

Sound description: Acoustic power-pop by way of Doctor Demento.

RIYL: Wesley Willis, Jefferson Jay, the Residents, Wild Man Fischer

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Related Links

• Clifford website

• Blurt · June 7, 2007

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 2005

Current Status: Playing around town.

Influences: Jefferson Jay, the Residents, John Entwistle, Hugh Gaskins & the Soul Man, Buckwheat Zydeco, the Monkees' <em>Head,</em> Manik Melodika, Wesley Willis, Captain Beefheart, Frank Zappa and the Mothers of Invention, the Partridge Family, Tiny Tim, Radical Molestors

Background:

“Not only am I banned from Winston’s in Ocean Beach, but recently I’ve been banned from playing Lestat’s,” says Clifford M. Jomuad, who -- performing solo as simply Clifford -- sometimes lights himself on fire. “Depending on my mood, I either light my guitar on fire, or my crotch, or my butt-area. For special occasions, such as a bar mitzvah, maybe all three.”

He says he’s flamed-on at Rebecca’s Coffeehouse, Dublin Square, the Tiki House, and elsewhere around town, with only a few complaints about the pyrotechnics he insists are “totally safe. I use the tiny flame from the Bic lighter to ignite flash material, a magician’s tool, propped up on either my guitar or somewhere on stage. No explosives are used, this ain’t no Great White show. No fuel, lighter fluid or any other accelerants are used at all. That could lead to arson.”

The Bic comes out for end-of-setlist numbers like "Burning Love" (Elvis Presley), "Light My Fire" (the Doors), and "(I Want to Incite a) Riot" by his old local '80s band Radical Molesters. Asked “Why?” the Philippine-born singer/songwriter says “I’m just into really elaborate finales. All great acts throughout rock and roll history have had some sort of neat finale.”