Arion Salazar

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Arion Salazar
Salazar performing circa 2000
Background information
Birth name	Arion Gabriel Salazar
Born	August 9, 1970 (1970-08-09) (age 37) Oakland,California, U.S.
Genre(s)	Alternative rock, funk
Occupation(s)	Musician, songwriter, producer
Instrument(s)	Bass, vocals
Years active	1988 - Present
Label(s)	Island, Elektra
Associated acts	Fungo Mungo Bullmark Third Eye Blind
Website	http://www.3eb.com

Arion Salazar (born Arion Gabriel Salazar, 9 August 1970, Oakland, California) was formerly the bassist for Third Eye Blind. Salazar was considered to be the most connected with the fans through the internet out of all the band members. He was previously in a Californian band called Fungo Mungo.

Salazar also played in a sessions band called Bullmark. While in Bullmark he composed the soundtrack for Activision's video game, Interstate '76. Vintage recording equipment and instruments were used to capture the original 1970s sound. Members of Bullmark included Bryan Mantia (Primus), Tom Coster (Santana), Jon Bendich, Les Harris and Dave Schul (Curveball).

At the KROQ "Weenie Roast" festival in 1997, he attempted to get on stage during Green Day's performance, and give bassist Mike Dirnt a hug. Dirnt refused, and after their performance a backstage fight ensued, ending with Dirnt being hit over the head with a bottle, fracturing his skull.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Recent absence

In early 2006, Salazar began missing some of the band's live shows.

A Third Eye Blind fan site, 3eb.co.uk - The Village Church Yard, encouraged fans of Salazar and the band to join in^[1] a letter writing campaign addressed to Salazar. The letters were sent to him in August 2006.

No official statement has been released by the band, but Salazar has been replaced by recent UC Berkeley graduate, bassist Leo Kremer.

Regardless of this fact, it is said that Salazar is still subject to an "open door" policy with his bandmates; meaning he would be welcomed back at any time if he so desired.

He is possibly battling a drug addiction.