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Interview with Fernando, Formerly Bassist "J.D. Malo" for Smashed Gladys

How would you describe Smashed Gladys?

"I would describe SG as a sleazy, slutty celebration of what rock n' roll is supposed to be about: Freedom, good times, and of course, 'to get laid' (to quote the song 'Sermonette' on Social Intercourse)."

What  were some of the band's influences?

"Rolling Stones, Faces, AC/DC, Kiss, Aerosmith, Nazareth, T-Rex, New York Dolls, etc ... just to name a few."

What did you like best about playing with Smashed Gladys?

"Touring the U.S., recording in Wales and playing for all the great fans."

What were some of the more memorable Smashed Gladys concerts?

"Here's five very memorable shows:

1) 3/29/86 -- West Point Military Academy, NY with Cheap Trick (meeting and opening for one of my all-time faves, Cheap Trick)

2) 4/19/86 -- A club called 'The World' in Alphabet City (lower east side of NYC. We were supposed to go on at 1 a.m. but a little known band called the Beastie Boys bum rushed the stage and did an impromptu 20-minute set. They tore shit up lovely; it was great. Our set was pretty rappin' also.

3) 9/24/86 -- The Cat Club in NYC - Ace Frehley and Anton Fig (drummer for Late Night with David Letterman) were the guest DJs for this very special gig. This gig was very special to me because we (SG) invited Ace and Anton to jam with us and they actually did! We did Ace's 'Rip it Out' and Kiss' 'Cold Gin'. Ace's guitar pal Ritchie Scarlet also joined in the fracas! By the end of the night, a good time was surely had by all. Plus it was an extreme thrill for me because I grew up worshipping Kiss as the true gods of rock they are. I was 20 years old at the time.

4) 7/19/87 -- A club called 'Obsessions' in Randolph, NJ. We opened for Nazareth, probably Sally's all-time favorite band. They were so cool and truly awesome to watch and listen to, a legendary night indeed.

5) 7/31/88 -- A venue called Bogart's in Cincinnati, OH. We opened for the Killer Dwarfs (They were cool dudes). Duff and Izzy from G n' R came to see us but they missed us because they thought the Killer Dwarfs were opening for us. No matter because we party'd on our tour bus anyway ... truly a 'debaucherous sleazefest' is the only way to describe that night. It was the last night of our only U.S. tour and one of my last shows with the band.

Were you involved with the song arrangements in Smashed Gladys?

"A major sour subject for me. I wrote one song for SG in four and a half years. Sally and Bart were very reluctant to collaborate. In retrospect, I guess it was meant to be. I've shed my hard feelings in time."

In the group you are in now, Higher Octane, you are known as Fernando instead of J.D. Which one is your real name?

"My real name is Fernando Rosario, Jr. J.D. Malo is a name I made up when I was 17 (Goin' On Crazy!) I was heavily into Motley Crue at the time. I thought Nikki Sixx was such a cool name. So I had to make up a cool name also. J.D. (Jack Daniels), Malo (Bad in Spanish)."

Fernando, 2nd from left, also bassist for the Michael Monroe band.

Also, in Higher Octane, you have switched to playing guitar from bass ... what was the reason for the switch. Did you play both guitar and bass in the SG days?

"I've been playing bass since I was 11-years-old and guitar since 12-years-old. As far as switching, to me it makes no difference. I write most of my riffs on the guitar lately so I figured 'what the hey, guitar I shall play'."

Fernando, though not pictured here, played bass on the self-titled The Cycle Sluts from Hell album which is still in print. Bobby Gustafson of Overkill  played guitar on this album too. According to a review by AMG which gave this band four stars, The Cycle Sluts from Hell "take Joan Jett's trashy, aggressive persona to an extreme both musically and attitude-wise."

I dare ask how did you get the nickname 'Tonto'?

"No major story there - just a shortlived nickname given to me by a dear friend of mine. Sally liked it so she 'surprised' me by putting it on the record. I was not thrilled but it's no bog deal."

Does SG represent the 80s or is the appeal more timeless? How do you think SG fits in with current music trends?

"All good music stands the test of time. The fans are the proof. If you're a fan of any type of music, chances are you will be a fan forever. 80s 'Hair Metal' bands seem to be making somewhat of a comeback. So I guess SG fits right in with 'today's music trends'. SG represented the fans' attitudes and lifestyles more than SG represented any particular time period so I guess that makes SG 'timeless'.

What SG song is your favorite?

"Play Dirty" on Social Intercourse. It just seemed to really kick ass live.

Fernando has remained an active player since the Smashed Gladys days. In 1997, Fernando played with the heavy metal, punk band Yellow Scab. JD's most recent band was Higher Octane.

There has been some confusion about whether it was Roger or you who went on to join the Michael Monroe band and the Throbs. Can you set the record straight? Also, were you in any other bands?

"I left the group (SG) in March '89. In August '89, I (Not Roger!) became the bass dude in the Mike Monroe band. I was in the Monroe band form 8/89 to 4/90. Roger Lane, though indeed, joined the Throbs. I also joined the Cycle Sluts from Hell after Mike Monroe disbanded the group. I played bass on C-S-F-H's only album still available through Sony distribution."

Do you know of any SG trivia fans might not know?

"Yes! Did you know?

A) Matt, Bart and I were the back-up band in the Aerosmith/RunDMC video 'Walk this Way'. I shit you not.

B) Ozzy Osbourne sang back-up vocals on the song 'Cast of Nasties' on the Social Intercourse album."

Any last words?

"I would like to say that it was a long, hard, fun, miserable, exciting, painful, heartbreaking, ultimately positive learning experience that I will cherish forever. I only regret that we don't keep in touch. I take partial blame for this but as everyone grows older you learn to forgive, forget, appreciate and miss the times and friendships you once had. God bless all of my former band members from every band I was ever in .(Jon Rae Sierra, lead guitar, Mike Monroe Band -- may you rest in peace my brother. See ya' on the other side."

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