Roddy Bottum

Roddy Bottum was a keyboardist for the San Francisco rock group Faith No More, and is currently frontman for Imperial Teen, sharing vocals, guitarwork and occasionally drums.

Related Topics:
Faith No More - Imperial Teen

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Born November 1, 1963, in Los Angeles, he learnt classical piano from an early age until moving to San Francisco when he was 18.

Related Topics:
November 1 - 1963 - Los Angeles

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Joining Faith No More in 1982 (replacing Wade Worthington), Roddy remained in the band until its demise in 1998. However, after 1992's Angel Dust and its ensuing tour, Roddy's input into Faith No More was reduced significantly. A number of hypotheses have been speculated as to why this occurred - involved with his other band, Imperial Teen; a heroin problem that was getting somewhat out of hand; or differences with Mike Patton, who by that stage had the image of unofficial 'band leader'.

Related Topics:
Faith No More - Angel - Heroin - Mike Patton

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In 1994/1995, Roddy formed Imperial Teen with Lynn Perko, another Bay Area music veteren.

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Roddy Bottum is also recognised as being a pioneering gay rock/metal musician, and admired as a rolemodel for contemporary gay youth who may not be comfortable with typical gay stereotypes. Bottum came out in 1993. One of his contributions to Faith No More was "Be Aggressive", a song about oral sex.

Related Topics:
Gay - Gay stereotypes - Oral sex

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According to Bottum, Imperial Teen is not a 'gay band', although two of its members are openly gay. Apparently Roddy is pleased if gay youth 'look up to him', but he is not comfortable with being called a rolemodel.

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1993 was also the height of Bottum's heroin addiction. Few details of this are known, except that Roddy has been long standing friends with Courtney Love.

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