Good War Story: Ray draws a blank on harrowing accounts in his current gig, citing that "animation's war stories involve tape, inkless pens and late-night construction-paper trips to the store." But he digs back to his punk days in a long-lost local group called the Spooges, describing the groups first show at the long-lost Abyss -- when their guitarist ended up handcuffed in the back of a cop car:
"When they searched us, they found hundreds of condoms in our pockets -- we were going to toss them into the crowd during our set," he recounts. "In a redneck accent, the cop asked me, 'Whot tha Hell you gonna do with all these??? You gon' be busy tonight, boy?' I just wiggled my eyebrows at him until he finally let us go."
Music Scene Pet Peeve: "I love all genres of music, including country and rap, but I don't like it when people outside the Houston scene think that's primarily what we have to offer," Ray laments. "We're one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, and that diversity is reflected in our music scene, I think."
Five Desert Island Discs: From a practical perspective, Ray explains: first three are "music to jazz me up so I could smash coconuts and find myself some sustenance," followed by "a couple of reflective, beautiful albums to cool down with and reflect on the good times of my previous life."
- Empire of the Sun, Walking On a Dream
- Ween, The Mollusk
- Grizzly Bear, Veckatimest
- Willie Nelson, Red Headed Stranger
- Neutral Milk Hotel, In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
Best Concert You Ever Saw: "I'd either say Rainer Maria and the Promise Ring at Fitz in 1997, or Belle & Sebastian at the Backyard in Austin, 2002," Ray decides. "But if I'd ever gotten to see Alabama Shakes or Bon Iver live (which I haven't), my answer might be different."
First Song You Fell In Love With: "When I was like seven years old, I'd sit in front of the record player and listen to The Monkees' Greatest Hits album over and over again," he remembers. "I loved all those songs, but my favorite was probably 'I'm a Believer' with Mickey doing lead vocals."
See the rest of the Rocks Off 200, and the Rocks Off 100's 2013 alumni, on the next page.