Rob Ruiz, formerly of DIM fires back - By N.L. Belardes

Every so often I write an entertaining article that ruffles a few feathers. My DIM reunion article was no exception. I knew it would be controversial as soon as I wrote it. Former drummer of DIM took great offense to what I had to write, though he didn’t deny what I wrote about him. I should note here that anyone in the public eye is just that: a public figure. History pays special attention to those who chose to live such lifestyles. I myself don’t mind that I take heat as a novelist. I get criticized all the time. My novels will get criticized too. It’s just the life of being in the eye of the masses. Here’s what Ruiz had to say in his first email:

Hey Nick, a friend sent me the blog you mention me in. I am at a loss for words at the moment.Thanks for making me look like some pathetic bitter drunk jobless loser to all of bakersfield. If that's the only way to you make yourself feel better by making other people on your website look bad, then more power to you (i guess). Just to let you know,I DO have a job now. I am a carpenter on a construction site with a fat bank account to prove it. I hope that I never ever see or hear about my name mentioned on your website or in any book from now on EVER! My friend will let my know for sure (as did he with the rest of Jumping Trains sending them the link also) This is just bullshit plain and simple! Robert Ruiz


Let me just say that I don’t make myself feel good or bad by having written such an article. History is a Descartian pursuit of the truth. So, as a writer I pursue it. Perhaps Ruiz could have countered by telling us his own rendition of events… He didn't. Here is my response:

Are you trying to deny you were fired from DIM? Do you
have other reasons for your termination from the band
that you would like to express? I was very critical of
DIM in my article. Feel free to let me know and I will
post. At least I didn't print all the gossip I heard
about drug abuse and such. I thought that was over the
top. I captured part of a history of a band. I believe
it was true you were bitter, didn't have a job, and
did drink a lot. I witnessed such. You were a great
musician. And, I didn't make fun of Jumping Trains at
all...


I’m not sure I should have responded at all as his mental capacity for debate quickly broke down even further. Read on. Mr Ruiz seems to think I have some strange magical powers and influence over all of Bakersfield:

i don't deny it but you don't have to be a d*** and tell the whole town about it do you? And to use my own name?!?!Ypu could have made up a name. Tell me,is that their business? That's a part of my life i'd like to forget and you basically threw it back on my face just so you could have something to talk about in your little blog.That's really uncool. Nobody is perfect. I have flaws just like everybody else. I would appreciate to keep them out of the public eye and to myself. As any other human being would like. Show some f****** respect!


My final response makes a clear point about recording the history of the music scene. You know, I’m sure President Bush would like history to forget why his administration saw fit to invade Iraq, but history isn’t going to ignore the past just because a few individuals are embarrassed about it. Here's my final message to Mr. Ruiz:

The Bakersfield music scene and the history of DIM is the business of all involved interested in the music scene here. If a musician choses to be in a band that performs regularly in a public setting, then that history deserves to be written about: good, bad, and ugly.

You should be glad I wrote about what a great musician you were.

Thanks for responding.

Best Regards,
Nick

This entry was posted by N.L. Belardes, on Monday, September 19, 2005. You can leave your response.