Elmo Custodia, Bass
Biography
Elmo arrived in San Francisco in 1968 at the age of 10. A long ways from his native Phillipines, he grew up in the heart of the hippy area or Haight and Ashbury. Shortly thereafter, joining the Boy Scouts led to meeting other aspiring musicians at many jam sessions during their Friday Night Rallies. The band they created, Cordial Coterie Band, later simply became known as Cordial. Elmo played 2nd Guitar, while his cousin Danny played lead. This prompted Elmo to make the switch to Bass. Elmo stayed active with Cordial for over 12 years, ending with his preliminary musical stint on New Year's Eve of 1989 with the Mel Leanio Band.
In those discovery days, Elmo attended many concerts, hung outside of night clubs by Broadway and Columbus, and also Fillmore West Hall, and enjoyed street fairs and park concerts. He watched performers such as The Eshabarrs, Rojos, Revelos, Escavedos, and the Santanas of Mission High School. Elmo liked Rock, but couldn't resist the strong influence of Motown, R & B and Soul Power, through the likes of Mr. James Jamerson, David Brown, Larry Graham, Jaco and Pops Popswell, who all expanded his bass foundation.
Elmo's musical career took a hiatus as he prepared for day-to-day life, leaving for Honolulu, and landing a job as assistant Therapeutic and Medical EQ Tech, which he quickly blossomed into as a Bio-Medical Tech. He dabbled in local Hawaiian kine garage and luaus, Kanakapilo style, while listening regularly to kine yah and Jawaiian which was dominating the radio at the time. In his spare time, Elmo hung out at the Waiks and choke kine, fishing and surfing. Elmo made another life move as he returned home to San Francisco during the Summer of 1992 to marry his wife, Brenda. Two weeks later, he was back in Honolulu with Plenty/Choke Stuff. There he met Cliff of Aura (house band of the Ol' Point After Club), and other island musicians such as Uncle Tony and Uncle Bert, Founding Members of Society of Seven, Glenn and Jonathan Guys of Honolulu, and other Ilocano Kine bands, and also Salsa and Mambo musicians, Rolando Sanches, Eddie Ortiz, Salsa Hawaii and Cajunto Cache.
Elmo was approached by Uncle Richard Natto to be the bassist of The Krush, and performed at the Waikiki Sheraton Espirit Lounge. His most memorable gig was on the 4th of July, playing for the military, and New Year's Eve, Ho'olaulea. Coming back to the Bay Area in the Winter of 2003, Elmo hooked up with some local kine Hawaiian bradahs and plenty kine Halau, helping out at Henry's Restaurant in Daly City and making contact with his best friend Cyrian T (bassist for Kickback band) who helped him with the use of the EQ. Then Don from Rendezvous asked Elmo to become their bassist and the rest is history! In his own words, Elmo said, "Tanks, Eh! Hardly no one will ever give a 50-something manong a chance, but I get more..."
Rendezvous Members:
