GROUP 1 CREW /// Interview

[Interview as posted on KismetMag.]

To be honest, I had no idea who they were…

Dubbed the Black Eyed Peas of gospel this Floridian force is claiming the stage to “empower the next generation”. Artists of faith, Pablo Villatoro, Blanca Reyes and Jose Manwell Reyes (the latter two being a product of happenstance rather than relation) are living out their not so ordinary dreams – one turning in the blue vest at Wal-Mart, another escaping the destiny of running with the wrong crowd, and the other jumping over after hitting an American Idol wall. It was not long ago that the triumvirate’s track “Forgive Me”, from their self-titled debut album, was introduced to mainstream masses on the CW show One Tree Hill. Even with a well-played hand, the album lacked edge and luster, and in my estimation could have easily been the written ending to an “almost” success story.  But in 2008, follow-up album “Ordinary Dreamers” was released and G1C (Group 1 Crew) laid it all out on the table – preaching their urban-rap-pulpit vibes to eager congregations everywhere.  A mish-mash of urban pop, rap and even big band gospel sound, the three just might be able to beat the odds with their skittering faith-based lyricism. They’re now enjoying the simple joys of performing with great élan – Blanca at the helm of vocals and the guys, Manwell & Pablo, as the crusader-emcees.  Here are some highlights from our candid lemon-tossing-role-reversal interview.

Blanca, Manwell, Pablo… Off the bat, do you guys have any nicknames you want to share?

Manwell: Blanca’s got Bee, Blanket.

Blanca: Um…Chublanca.

Manwell: I’ve got… from Manny, Manwell, Manweezie.

Blanca: Pablo’s got nicknames, but everbody also calls him Pueblo…

Pablo: Pueblo, Pedro, Paco…

Ah, basically any Spanish name with a “P”.

Tell me the story of how you three got signed with Fervent Records.

M: Um…The short version of how.  Our manager found me on MySpace, hit me up, wanted to do some work, told me the label was looking for an urban group, and then told me if I can get a group together then we have a shot.  So I called them (pointing to Blanca and Pablo) when they were in Chicago.

B: We had prior been a group. So we weren’t like made into a group.

M: Yeah, and then we flew out to Nashville and did a showcase…

So you went out to the Mecca of music.

M: (chuckles) Yeah… but we choose not to worship there.

Who’s the most organized or neat-freak?

B: Manwell is, but not neat-freak. Just most organized.

Who’s the worrier?

Blanca raises her hand.

Who’s the daydreamer?

M: (pointing to Pablo) He’s lost.

P: All three of us are, but I probably am the most, but not spacey daydreamer.

Who’s the eater?

B: I love food.

Just curious – how old are you all?

M: I’m 29.

B: Thirty-six.

Wow, you don’t look it.

B: (chuckling) Nah, I’m 23.

P: Twenty-five.

What is your kryptonite?

M: Chocolate. I like dessert.

B: What is kryptonite?

M: It’s like what makes you weak.

B: (confidently) Food.

P: Um…shoes.

Ah, so you’re the Imelda Marcos of the group.

M: No, he can’t live without his phone.

P: (holding his cell in hand) Yeah, okay maybe.

M: Oh and I like romantic comedies.

Girls, the word is out. Bring the guy some chocolate and a girlie flick.

Crowning achievement as artists?

M: Dove awards, but you probably knew that.

What’s your sound? How would you describe it?

M: I never know what to say to this one.

B: It’s a mix of urban, pop, hip-hop…

Ah, so like it’s a sort-of vaudeville.

What’s ‘vaudeville’?

Almost like a variety of acts with song, dance, etc. – loosely different acts on a common bill.

Here’s where I realize I’m digging a hole for myself and so I turn to the photographer who came with me.

How would you describe ‘vaudeville’?

Photographer: It’s almost like a carnival?

P: (mockingly) So you think our music is a joke?

No way.  I just mean you guys mix it up.

Manwell thankfully steps in and saves me.

M: Segmental…

Yeah, that’s a better word.  Let’s go with segmental.

So moving on, your album is called “Ordinary Dreamers”.  When growing up, what did you dream of becoming – aside from a singer that is?

B: (beaming) A mommy.

P: (chortles) All Puerto Rican girls are trained to be good mommies.

Just say the first thing that comes to mind…

B: Oh we’re good at these!!!

When life gives you lemons, _________.

P: Have apple juice!

M: No, trade in the lemons for apples and make apple juice.

Stilettos or converse?

M/P: Stilettos!!!

B: Stilettos.

Sorry guys I like cons better.

B: I have to wear cons on stage ‘cause I can’t dance too long in stilettos.

Sunrise or twilight?

M: Sunrise.

B: (looking at me confound) Are we talking about the movie?

No, I mean the time of day.

I’ll spare everyone the details, but immediately erupts a heated discussion on the Twilight movie, the questionable looks of Robert Pattinson (if there could be any), and the lack of vampire fangs.

M: Wai-Wait.  Now, I admit McSteamy from Grey’s Anatomy is fly, but THAT guy?!

Wet socks or mosquito bites?

M: Wet socks because I can take them off.

P: I like itching…. (as he scratches at his forearm)

New Kids on the Block or Vanilla Ice?

P: (without hesitation) New Kids.

M/B: New Kids on the Block.

Mom & Pop Shop or the magic of Macy’s?

All three: Macy’s.

Really?

B: Well, what do you mean by Mom & Pop Shop?  I’m picturing some kind of thrift shop.

Anything random you’d like to share, trivial facts…

M: Blanca’s engaged.

Wow, that’s great.  Congratulations!

M: (snickers) Wait you don’t really know anything about us at all.

P: Her engagement is all over Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, you name it.

M: (jokingly) What do you know about us anyway?

Here’s where the tables literally turned.  Manweezie grabs the questions out of my hand and leans forward – moving in as the interviewer and I am now the interviewee. All in jest of course.

M: So… when was the first time you heard of us?

(shyly) This week.

What can I say?  I got the tip from someone to check them out. And I did. Better late than never.

M: Wow. Okay, and what is your favorite song?

I’m wracking my brain at this point trying to remember the name of the songs I liked when doing quick research on these guys, but alas I’ve never been the one being grilled before.  My mind is blank.

M/B: (smiling and laughing)

I’m probably going to see you guys perform tonight and then I’ll tell you.

M: So you’re going to stick around for the show then?

(hesitantly) Well, I hope to.  I have to also cover De La Soul tonight.

P: De La Soul?! They’re playing here tonight? I don’t want to go to my own show then – I want to go to De La Soul.

Somehow in the midst of their playful antics, I manage to smile myself back to “Interviewer”.

What’s a taboo subject in your group?

B: We don’t really have one, I think.

G1C Tour Manager: I have to step in – every group always has a taboo subject.

Yeah, right?!  I agree. There hands down has to be one.

B: (pause of silence) Okay, there is one… but I’m not going to say.

Alright at least there’s a consensus that one exists.

And most importantly, if Ben & Jerry were coming up with a new ice cream flavor, what should it be?

M: Seafood with fudge slathered on top…

B: Rocky road.

I’m pretty sure rocky road probably exists.

P: Okay so pina colada with chocolate and rum raisin.

Oh, rum raisin IS good.

M: Fudge Fish.

Fudge fish sticks. I’d never think of that one.

Tags: Blanca Reyes, G1C, gospel, Group 1 Crew, Jose Reyes, Ordinary Dreamers, Pablo Reyes Villatoro