Back in 1992, Rudi Protrudi had approached Eric if he would like to join the Fuzztones and move to LA - but, as is documented elsewhere on these pages, a fire sabotaged those plans. In '94 Eric joined Link Protrudi and the Jaymen for a European tour, but playing in the Fuzztones seemed far away - although Eric (and drummer Rob) then joined Link Wray, one of Rudi's heroes.
Years later though, in 2006, Rudi approached Eric once more - "we need a bassplayer, hopefully you can do it this time, and is Rob still playing too?"

Eric couldn't do it at first - day job at te rehearsal studio, his own current bands, wife, cats - but Rob could join the Fuzztones and did.
What followed was a tour with Rob on drums, seeing the Fuzztones with a full horn section (!), only to be followed by a handful of shows bringing in 'Mad' Mike Czekaj on drums after all these years.

For the final gig (ever...?) of the Fuzztones, to be taking place at the Beat Epoque festival in Verona, Rudi insisted on Eric and Rob being in the band. This time, Eric could make himself free, so he and Rob flew to Berlin vor rehearsal (!) and the 2007 edition of the Beat Epoque festival saw a headlining Fuzztones as a fourpiece with Rudi taking all guitar parts (and Eric using the bass to make up for the missing guitar as well - the sound split to a regular bass amp and a fuzzed-out guitar amp).

Photos of this historic event will surface, I'm sure, and if I get my hands on them I'll post them here.

After the show, Eric aked Rudi: "Why did you want me to do this gig? You could have given so many bassplayers a call."
The reply was priceless: "No - very few get it right."

Rocking out to a blissful crowd (fans from Sweden had travelled 4000 kilometres to watch the Fuzztones!!), it seemed like this line-up had been together for quite some time. Well... who knows what will happen.

Thanks Mischa for the Phantom!