Band Members

2Fifths is :

Scott Ruiz (Vocals)

I was born in a hollow tree somewhere between 1968 -1971at the Los Alamitos race track in Cypress where I began an early career as a jockey and horse trotter. I left the track at age 16 when it became apparent that I was 3 feet taller than the rest of the jockeys, so I became a minstrel singer in travelling troupe of dwarves, roaming the land until I met these guys who were known as the Fifths.

Yes, I was nearly twice the height of the shortest band member, Stephen, so I recommended a name change of 2-times-the-Fifths, which was quickly shortened to 2/5ths in a move to make it shorter, less redundant, less annoying, and otherwise more melodious than 2-times-the-Fifths which didn't roll off the tongue easily. My gear consists of a guitar and harp conveniently lifted from dwarf Medici who is undoubtedly missing a harp, a guitar and a travelling companion.
Sorry, Medi.

Other equipment includes:
wireless microphone with Ray-o-Vac batteries from 1978;
Christmas scarf for leading singer around boat;
crab bib;
more hair than rest of band members combined;
acoustic guitar with extended strings for defense against fans jumping on stage;
one-use harmonica;
Bono sunglasses;
and a K-Fed top hat that the original owner still doesn't realize is gone.

Martin Lozano (Lead Guitar / Vocals)

History: I was born in Downey, CA in 1960 and was raised in a very musical environment by my parents. My dad played boogie-woogie 50's style piano and my mom sang all the time around the house. I started playing the piano around 1969 and considered it my primary instrument through high school and college. I always had an interest in guitar but never played one until 1984 when I bought an Applause acoustic round-back as a college graduation gift to myself. My roommate laughed because I couldn't play it, but I was determined to learn. Those first attempts were quite productive and soon I had the basic open chords down. At the time my meager list of songs consisted of 60's and 70's pop tunes and I quickly progressed to finger picking and bar chords. I bought my first electric guitar, a Gibson Les Paul, in 1986, but didn't really get into it till I met Brian at work '95 or' 96. We tried jamming but it was apparent that stepping up to electric guitar was going to require a lot more practice on my part. He'd already been in a college band and I had a lot of catching up to do at age 35. Who says you can't teach an old dude to play guitar? It's possible if he already plays the piano!

Early Influences:
I was raised during the British Invasion, so obviously the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, the Kinks, the Animals, the Who, and Cream. Also, Donavan, CCR, Crosby-Stills-Nash-Young, Buffalo Springfield, Janis Joplin, Hendrix, Arlo Guthrie (hey, my neighbors were hippies). 70's influences: early Bowie, Emerson-Lake-Palmer, Queen, Super Tramp, Jethro Tull (I liked the piano bits in all this). 80's influences: REM, U2, Pretenders, Elvis Costello, Tom Petty (This style is what I wanted to learn in the mid-80's). At present, I like the blues style of Eric Clapton and the minimalist guitar syle of Mike Campbell of the Heart Breakers and John Frusciante of the Chili Peppers. I never considered myself a shredder; just a piano player who happened across a guitar in the 80's.

Current Equipment:
1) 1985 Gibson Les Paul Studio, maple-burst with cream-colored binding. I modified it with Shaller tuning pegs in 1986 and replaced the original PAF humbuckers with Seymour-Duncan's JB (bridge) and Jazz (neck) pickups in 2008. The original PAFs were muddy compared to the new pups. It weighs a ton and I love it.

2) ca. 1996 Paul Reed Smith Artist II, tiger-striped deep maroon red with abalone bird inlays and decorative trim all around. It's stunningly beautiful and a dream to play. Thanks Jimi!

3) 1990 Carvin DC127 Custom Shop, swamp ash body with maple neck and natural finish. I modified it with Seymour-Duncan JB (bridge) and Jazz (neck) humbucker pickups in 2008. Love the tone, but the long scale neck can be tiring.

4) 2006 Mesa Engineering Lone Star Classic 2x12 combo. What awesome power and tone! I modified it in 2009 to include the infamous Reeder Mod. This sucker weighs 98 lbs!

5) 2005 Martin Acoustic DX-1.

6) Pedals on my board: Boss TU-15 tuner, Dunlop Jimi Hendrix Wah, Visual Sound Route 66, Visual Sound Jekyl, Metal Muff, Boss Giga Delay, Boss Chorus.

Brian Vaniman (Bass / Vocals)

Hometown: Camarillo, California.
A once small town in Ventura county, has grown tremendously in Brian's lifetime.

History:
Brian first picked up the bass as a college freshman in 1988, teaching himself how to play. However, his musical background began much earlier, starting with playing in his mother's elementary school band. Brian's pre- rock'n'roll instrumental history includes baritone horn, trombone, bells, and piano. Brian's musical interests are varied, including blues, jazz, rock, heavy metal, funk, & hip-hop. Brian's other interests include DJing and sound production, working on and driving fast cars, and home improvement. And he recently married his love Zoriana.

Steve Cole (Drums / Noises)

Hometown: West Covina, California

History:
Steve first began playing drums in junior high. Even though his parents would have liked a quieter instrument, they have always been supportive. In high school, Steve played in marching and jazz band. Since then he has kept drums a constant hobby. In the past ten years Steve has met some great players and feels blessed at being a part of 2fifths.

Performance Milestones: Steve has played with various groups during the past few years. He has played at Griffith Park, the Home Depot Center, company parties, private parties and multiple church carnivals including his own parish where he headed up entertainment for 10 years. During the Home Depot center show (for the Los Angeles Heart Walk) Steve got to play in front of a crowd of over a thousand people.

Instrument:
The human heart keeps your body going, so drums keeps the soul grooving.
Steve uses Pearl drums, Zildjian cymbals and an assortment of
hardware of whatever he can fit into his budget.