Kill Butterfly

Fontana is famous for producing a wide array of talent, including both rock stars and professional athletes. Not to mention putting the city on the map with the birth of the Auto Club Speedway.

So why not keep the talent and fame coming? A group of individuals more phenomenal, fearless, and driven than the racing that takes place at the speedway are planning on doing just that.

Who are these individuals you ask? If you listen long enough, you might even be able to hear who they are without me saying so. For their sound is so inviting and fierce that people from all different walks of life can embrace them, maybe even enjoy them once given the opportunity.

I speak of no other than Fontana’s very own: Kill Butterfly.

These seven gentlemen are on the verge of taking over the music scene and upon going to show after show, it is easy to hear why.

Kill Butterfly (formerly known as Missing Pieces) was established in 1999 by two brothers: Gibbz Gavin Gonzales and Trust Sebastian Gonzales.

Gibbz was set with his vocals and Trust with his drums, but felt incomplete and enlisted childhood friend, Erik Arentz, who plays guitar.

Yet, that still wasn’t enough for the hard-hitting, “ghetto-rock” sound that the brothers wanted. So they asked their cousin Albert Gonzales to join them as their second guitarist. Albert’s metal background with former bands provided them with the edginess they were looking for.

The brothers, setting their expectations to yet a higher level, asked their cousin Daniel “D2” Cruz to join them. D2 brought with him his electrifying screams for back-up vocals and sampling skills to give the band a little extra something during performances.

By the time 2005 came around, another friend of the guys, Garrett

“G-Rock” Nelson, who plays bass, was added to the mix.

And finally, DJ Panic was asked to join the band to add clever mixes and intros to the songs, allowing D2 to focus solely on his vocals.

With all seven members intact, Kill Butterfly (whose members include Fontana High, Kaiser High, and Citrus High alums) works endlessly to perfect its sound in order to provide one of the most thrilling sets an audience will ever see.

These men are not just guys in a band; these men are entertainers, musicians, professionals, and top-notch performers that give 200 percent when they go on that stage.

Back-up vocalist and screamer, D2, describes a show as such: “Up in your face and out through your finger tips just like a shockwave. It is high volume and high energy!”

Ask anyone (really) who has been to any of the band’s shows, and they will tell you that Kill Butterfly is a good time.

Kill Butterfly has been performing for 10 years all over California and in parts of Nevada. They are even set to tour across the United States at the end of August and into September.

Locally, they have performed almost everywhere. In June, the band performed at two separate competitions at the Improv in Ontario Mills, both of which they won. The first competition was all hip-hop and rap artists, so Kill Butterfly was the only hard-rock band to perform that night, but yet the group left victorious. The band members were in shock that they were able to win over hip-hip/rap music fans with their performance. But their fans weren’t. Kill Butterfly has that affect on people.

Audience members Alex Cordova and Topher Keiningham both agreed that Kill Butterfly reminded them of Linkin Park.

Alex went on to say that “Linkin Park should want to sound like Kill Butterfly.”

At the second competition, Kill Butterfly competed against musical artists from various pathways, and as mentioned before, won again!

A fellow competitor, Victor Mena, from the singing group The Mena’s, had this to say about the band after the show: “These guys should be playing at Staples Center or any big amphitheater, not here [at the Improv]. They should be opening up for big name bands.”

Mena, who never heard the band before, said “with that kind of stage presence, they deserved to win.”

They truly put on a mind-blowing show, and that is because their musical backgrounds and extensive (and impressive) resume led them to this point.

For example, Kill Butterfly has played shows at the Whiskey A Go-Go, House of Blues, and at the Roxy in Hollywood. In fact, this past week, the band performed at the Key Club in Hollywood (a show which the band dedicated to the late Michael Jackson).

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In February 2008, they also headlined a show at the Grove Theatre in Upland.

They have also played with hip-hip historians Digital Underground. They have also shared the stage with rock bands such as Crazy Town, Otep, 3rd Strike, and Divide the Day.

Not to mention, some of their songs are featured on a motocross DVD entitled “Fleshwound Films Crusty Demon’s Crusty X.” They have even worked with actor, T.J. Cunningham, who starred on Pamela Anderson’s TV show “VIP” when it was on the air.

The band released its first CD entitled: “6-0-clock” in 2003. That same year, the group won a Battle of the Bands competition for local alternative radio station X103.9FM.

Kill Butterfly is set to release a self-titled EP this summer along with a DVD.

The band members are busy, to the say the least, but are still waiting for their chance to break out of the cocoon — hence where their name comes from. The band members see themselves as a caterpillar which at any point can emerge into a butterfly and fulfill its musical destiny. However, if the music industry does not allow the caterpillar to reach its potential, they kill the butterfly.

Kill Butterfly’s experiences have made the band members who they are today, and frankly they would just like to play their music to the whole world. With their upcoming tour at summer’s end, hopefully someone will break open the cocoon for them and allow them to fly above all expectations.

Lead singer, Gibbz Gavin has high hopes: “Kill Butterfly is Mainstream GhettoRock! We are the leaders of this musical revolution. Our mission is to wipe away the lines and let artists speak directly to their fans without pre-determined ‘in’ styles.”

If you cannot wait for the tour, go check them out on July 8 and Aug. 12 at Lake Alice in Riverside. Both shows start at 9 p.m.

For more information, including tour dates, upcoming shows, and/or if you just want to listen to their music, visit them at www.killbutterfly.com or at www.myspace.com/killbutterfly.

(Amanda Carlos writes a column on a regular basis for the Fontana Herald News.)




Copyright © 2009 - Fontana Herald News
- Fontana Herald News

Sean Healy Presents, Inc.
-. Phone: 323-651-1582
7095 Hollywood Blvd. #794 I I Fax: 323-651-2643 Hollywood, CA 90028 www.webookbands.com


To:

Trevor Carlson
Manager, Kill Butterfly
TC Management, Entertainment Management Services
8375 Vicara Drive
Alta Lorna, CA 91710

To Whom It May Concern:
This is in response to your recent request for a letter of recommendation for the band Kill Butterfly with whom I have had the pleasure of working with on several occasions.
Being a production manager for one of Los Angeles's largest booking agencies, I have had an opportunity to work with hundreds of bands of all genres. Based on my experiences with bands and management I am compelled to
say Kill Butterfly is one of the most professional groups I have ever worked with. They have consistently shown a strong work ethic, and the ability to follow through with all aspects of promotion and performance. On
numerous occasions they have proved that the spotlight belongs squarely on them. Performing under artists such as Digital Underground and Zack Hexum, they have proved not only that they belong on the stage with these artists, but they have also earned the right to consider themselves peers.
On the interpersonal side, they have always been courteous and respectful to both production and club staff. They have displayed a great sense of humor and positive attitudes even when faced with last minute schedule changes or issues with sound.
In closing, as detailed above, based on my experience working with them, I can unreservedly recommend Kill Butterfly to you for any tour or concert venue openings. If you would like further elaboration, feel free to call me at (323) 651-1582
Sincerely,
Steve Montez
Manager, Production

- Sean Healy Presents

Fontana Adult School


9453 Citrus Avenue. P.O. Box 5090 . Fontana. CA 92334-5090

(909) 367-6666


TO: Whom It May Concern
FROM: Pat Meagher, Principal
Fontana Adult School

RE: The band "Kill Butterfly"

~

I am pleased to write this letter of recommendation for the band, "Kill Butterfly". In my former position as Student Activities Director of Fontana High School, I booked the band to perform for several lunch-time assemblies.

The band performed a number of selections, and were
very well received by our students. Their attire was professional, they arrived and left exactly on time, and were very appropriate in their music and behaviors.

I booked a number of bands, and "Kill Butterfly" was one of the best for both showmanship and professionalism. I would highly recommend them for participation in any type of program.

- Fontana Adult School

The music industry has a very competetive atmosphere. All professional musicians are in the constant struggle to stay up in the game. Since there are hundreds of different genres of music out there, some might assume it is easy to make it in the music industry. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

With so many singers, musicians, bands and/or groups out there fighting for their place in the limelight, only a few make it. Despite the odds, many up-and-coming artists are staying true to themselves and sticking to their dreams. Competition is no reason to give up, it only makes them want to work harder. I think anyone can make it in the music business if they really want to. It's all about working hard, dedicating time and effort and never giving up hope or losing self confidence.

Coincidentally, these are characteristics of rap-rock band Kill Butterfly. The seven-man band from Fontana, California, just released their new music. The band has been working hard in the past year to produce their first official CD. They are also planning to go on tour.

These guys are not just your local band. They are actually working to get somewhere. They play shows all over Southern California and they produce their own merchandise. They promote themselves by any means necessary, whether it be on the radio, the Internet, through friends or family and with various companies. On a more clever note, they even bought a Chevy van that will seat 15 passengers, which they covered with their picture, logo and Internet website address so that everyone see who and what they are.

Instead of waiting around for record deals, Kill Butterfly is taking their destiny into their own hands. "Six O'Clock" is their own original work consisting of 11 very intriguing tracks filled with powerful lyrics and equally rocking instrumentals. As a result of its release, the band held a big CD-release party last month at the Civic Auditorium in Fontana. The party/concert was put together courtesy of none other than Kill Butterfly. They had 5 groups open for them that night. MOB Records artists Project III opened up the show. They are a rap group also out of Fontana. Next up was The Undergrads, a pop-punk band from Redlands. Following them was the rapcore group Silas out of the Claremont/Montclair area. Divide the Day from Colton was the last band before Kill Butterfly went on.

Kill Butterfly rocked the Civic Auditorium to its fullest. They put on an amazing show filled with heartwrenching vocals, strong drum beats, guitar solos and bass slaps that were overwhelmingly entertaining. The crowd was on their feet, a mosh pit was going and everyone, band included, was having the time of their lives. Concert-goer Melody Gonzales said,"Kill Butterfly was so good. They put on an incredible show. They looked like they belonged on stage, they were so professional in their performance."

The CD release/concert was a success. The band proved they have what it takes to make it in the music industry. They deserve lots of credit because they are doing it on their own. Their debut CD will be available in stores soon and they are planning to hit the road as soon as possible.

For more information on Kill Butterfly you can check out their website at www.killbutterfly.com. - Amanda Carlos, The Sun