Robert Mathre

Robert “Bobby Blades” Mathre – Early Life and
Background
Robert E. Mathre (born c.1983), known professionally as Bobby Blades, is a multi‑instrumentalist and
music producer based in Concord, California. He is legally blind, and credits his “visual impairment” with
sharpening his hearing and driving his musical passion . Mathre began performing in school bands in
junior high, inspired by 1980s–1990s thrash and classic rock drummers like Neil Peart and Billy Cobham .
He writes that from age 12 into his 40s he has played in “hundreds of bands and musical projects,” building
extensive experience as a session musician and audio producer . Mathre later studied music production
(at Diablo Valley College as of 2025) and holds an associate’s degree in that field .
Bay Area Music Career
Mathre (as Bobby Blades) has been active in the San Francisco Bay Area music scene, both as a performer
and producer. He fronts an acoustic duo called Mama Foxxy with singer Ashley Velez. GigSalad describes
this Concord‑based act as a “humble and raw” acoustic blues/folk duo, with Blades “reveling on the guitar
with his rich blends of Blues/folk/Americana sounds” and Velez on retro‑styled vocals . Image: Ashley
Velez and Bobby Blades of acoustic duo Mama Foxxy, Concord CA . Blades also performs regularly at local
venues (e.g. the Red Hat Sports Bar) in variety acts such as “Joey & Stephanie & Bobby Blades” and other
acoustic collaborations. In addition to performing, he runs his own music production company, “Bobby
Blades Incorporated,” through which he produces, records, and mixes music since 2008 .

Other Projects and Collaborations
Back in California, Mathre continues to record and perform widely. In addition to Mama Foxxy, he plays
guitar or drums in various local ensembles. (For example, he joined a Concord‐area tribute act “Sabertooth
Unicorn” and gigs with singer Joey Arreola and others.) He is also noted as a sound designer and stage
technician (a member of IATSE Local 16 in the Bay Area) and works in audio production for film and events.

Mathre’s career bridges rock and acoustic genres, combining blues/folk guitar work with metal drumming.
He maintains a home studio for writing and mixing, embodying the role of both performer and audio
producer . In interviews and profiles he emphasizes that music is a “personal” pursuit driven by
passion and shaped by his unique perspective on sound .