The Sons of Sancho

THE BAND: The Sons of Sancho

THE MEMBERS: Matthew Garcia (lead vocals, percussion); Freddy Moreno (lead guitar, backup vocals); Chuck Garcia (bass guitar, backup vocals); Daniel Asgari (drums, percussion, backup vocals)

THE SOUND: A blend of rock, funk and dub-style reggae. “People like how it changes from rock to reggae to progressive rock. It keeps their attention,” Asgari said. “Just come with an open mind. Matt always says we’re a lot like Texas weather. If you don’t like it, just wait, and it’ll change.”

Matthew Garcia writes the lyrics, but all the guys collaborate on the music. The songs on the Sons of Sancho’s first EP were largely about substance abuse, while the band’s new EP includes more sociopolitical commentary.

“Duopoly” attacks America’s democratic system and rampant materialism; “Re-Evaluation” emphasizes the need to take care of the Earth’s resources. “Damien” is about a young boy from Matthew Garcia’s neighborhood who was neglected by his parents.

“Basically, I want to challenge the status quo,” Matthew Garcia said.

THE BACKGROUND: The Garcia brothers were always musical, but Chuck played in mariachi bands while Matthew was involved in the punk scene. In 2004, they finally formed a band that fit both of them.

The present lineup has been in place since 2006, after Matthew Garcia brought in Asgari. The two had played percussion together in the John Jay High School band.

The band was originally called El Sancho but the guys had to change it when they found out another Texas band had claimed the name first. “Sancho” is slang for the man a woman is seeing behind her husband’s back.

“.‘The Sons of Sancho’ suggests you’re a bastard, and that describes our sound, since it’s sort of bastardized,” Matthew Garcia said. “But in a good sense, in the sense of borrowing from different styles.”

THE ALBUMS: The Sons of Sancho (2006); The Guide to Radically Moderate Social Change (2008)

THE WEB SITES: myspace.com/elsanchomusic; thesonsofsancho.com

CHECK THEM OUT: Saturday, May 17, at the Mix, 2423 N. St. Mary’s St., and May 30 at Beethoven Maennerchor Halle und Garten, 422 Pereida St.

Jessica Belasco | 210SA contributor - 210SA PUBLICATION

BY ZACH MARCOTTE
JANUARY 2008 ISSUE 111
Bass guitarist Chuck shows up on time and much before the rest of the band, The Sons of Sancho, and apologizes. “The other guys are running a little late, but they’re on their way...typical band huh,” he says with a polite smile. The Sons of Sancho are anything but typical, which I already know from catching one of their latest unique and catchy performances at the friendly neighborhood bar, Jiggers; yet I’m about to find out just how different and forward thinking these guys are. With a wide range of influences, interests, and personalities, and still a strong fellowship, friendship, and brotherhood, The Sons of Sancho are comprised of Matt on vocals and percussion, Fred on guitar, Chuck on bass, and Daniel on drums and percussion. With this unity, The Sons of Sancho are giving us their hearts and souls with the music they create and love to play.

After a few changes in name and line-up, The Sons of Sancho have been playing together with the current line-u for over a year now, but have been playing music in other bands for several years contributing to their experience and obvious talent. They are very focused on what they do and what they plant to do for the future; having successfully recorded an EP with Bobby at Looney Bin Studios, with motions already taken to fulfill their aspirations to further educate themselves on recording techniques through the acquisition of their own studio equipment for not only the recording of future music, but to familiarize and prepare themselves for the next big recording.

Staying positive while understanding the over-saturation of the music industry, and the new technologies that present many pros and cons to bands, The Sons of Sancho stick to creating and playing music they love and believe in. “It’s as easy as click, click, and boom...there it is on the internet for hundreds of people to hear, but at the same time there’s so much of it that it makes it harder to find the good stuff. We’re a really small fish in a big pond of music, so we have to find ways to differentiate ourselves and really get ourselves out there.”

The Sons of Sancho are still developing where they truly “fit” in the San Antonio and regional music community. Because of their unique style and sound, The Sons of Sancho, have played with all different types of bands at many different venues, with upcoming shows with Rock en Espanol groups, to past shows at Rock Bottom with Sintense.

“We’re not heavy metal or hardcore...we’re not punk...we’re not reggae, we’re kind of a little bit of all three...and that’s the funny thing, because of the cliché. Many bands say, ‘oh, we don’t sound like this....or we sound like this.’ The only way is for people to come out and see for themselves, and two different people might hear two different things. We really don’t write music to say we’re going to write a pop song or a punk song...instead everybody throws their little piece in to make it what it is. It almost should be in this day and age, where lines are being blurred and grey areas are being entered. If you look at any sort of art there’s always a mixing. ‘Rock’ in general has always been a bastard...the categories have tailed if you want to stick yourself in it. It is good to hear that a lot of bands are saying they’re hard to peg, because it is a progression of the art form.”

The Sons of Sancho have, “sort of latched onto the idea of bastard rock. In the Latino culture, Sancho is referring to ‘the other guy.’ His kids would be the bastard kids...,” which goes back to the whole concept and foundation of rock ‘n’ roll, and the blurring and blending of genres that The Sons of Sancho truly and passionately represent.

With a unique history of the now permanent line-up, the shortened version of what actually took 2 years to solidify is that after some thought, older brother, Chuck decided that he would jam with his younger brother Matt. Fred found them via the EDGE Magazine musician referral ads, and Matt ran into his old high school buddy Daniel making The Sons of Sancho complete. The more detailed version includes hiatus’, trips to the United Kingdom, previous band experiences with several local bands such as Jackie on Acid, opening for nationals like Goldfinger, guitar lessons from the guitarist for Pariah, and education in theater arts.

Focusing on the long term and not instant gratification, The Sons of Sancho are keepin’ it real. They are compassionate musicians with pure hearts. Their music comes naturally. There was a conversation during the interview reflecting on when DJ’s had the power to play music mattered over image. The Sons of Sancho highly recommend checking out the documentary called “Before the Music Dies,” (www.beforethemusicdies.com) “there’s an interview with Branford Marsalis in which he talked about the music industry and how it’s changing and how things are coming out so fast, that people accept it for what it is and not really absorb it anymore. When Coltrane came out, nobody like it; it took years for people to get it.”

Daniel reflects on how when he first joined the band and how his eyes were really opened to music, and the he wants to share the heart and feeling he puts into the music with others so they will hopefully hear and feel the same experience. “Listen to music and when you look around and understand that music is art, and there’s no right or wrong to it...it’s just that feeling that I want to put into it.”

The interview session actually turned into more of a bunch of friends hanging out drinking a few beers. There were near philosophical conversations regarding the term “indie,” gender roles in America, the over-categorization of society and music, and an overall good time. The educated gentlemen of The Sons of Sancho are definitely a band to check out and keep an eye on. For more information check out their new website at www.thesonsofsancho.com which is complete with eye opening lyrics. Here are some rapid fire questions and answers The Sons of Sancho answered via Myspace where you can find them at www.myspace.com/elsanchomusic.

1)What would you like the readers of the EDGE to know about The Sons of Sancho?
We’d want them to know that as a band, the most important thing to us is to re-create the ‘real’ music fan. That we’re playing what we feel, not what we think people want to hear.

2)Your sound and songs are very unique, it is very original and different...how do you do it? What is the writing process like? is it more of collaboration or is there one primary song writer...?
There is no formula. That’s what keeps it unique. It’s definitely a collaboration. We write together to give each member of the band exactly what they need to make our creation the best we can.

3)Lyrically, there is an approach to some social issues reflected with some great intensity...what would you say your main message is?
To question the status quo. We are not trying to offer answers yet we would like for people to think about social issues and ask questions of the status quo. It changes often yet still it is always accepted at that time.

4)When people see or hear The Sons of Sancho, what do you want them to experience?
Entertainment and mind opening.

5)If The Sons of Sancho were an entree, what would you be?
Whatever your favorite meal is. We’d hate to say a nice steak and find out you’re a vegetarian.

6)What are the plans for the future?
a)We’re about to start recording our own music and do everything we can to get it out there. b)Play a lot more shows!

7)When and where are the next shows? (This was touched on during the actual interview) To create more involvement and an independent identity The Sons of Sancho will be performing and organizing events on the last Friday of January and the next several upcoming months at Beethoven’s. You can expect slam poets, 10 minute plays, artisan’s selling their works, and of course the music of The Sons of Sancho. They also have a show on February 8 at Limelight in San Antonio. The Sons of Sancho have also been playing surprise guerrilla shows over at Hot Shots on Marbach and 410 on open mic night.

8)If The Sons of Sancho could open for anyone from anytime period, who would it be and where?
Chuck-Led Zeppelin Madison Square Garden/ Fred-The Clash 1980 when they played 15 consecutive nights at NYC Madison Square Garden/ Matt-The Sex Pistols Jan 8, 1978/ Daniel-Bob Marley and The Wailers Kingston, Jamaica.

- The Edge Magazine

Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Also playing that night were The Sons of Sancho, a highly energetic alternative funk rock combo whose attitude and ideas started with the some of the members' former band, El Sancho. Since the name change, they have been working hard to gain back any lost momentum; The Sons of Sancho are now playing shows, selling their first CD, and are available by request at KSYM 90.1FM (Monday through Friday, from 7pm to 1am).

The singer for The Sons of Sancho introduced the third or fourth song of their set by calling it "very dig-able" which I think speaks volumes about the accessibility of their unique sound. Equal parts funk, punk, with a touch of Latin here and a dash of reggae here, The Sons of Sancho toss in the proverbial kitchen sink when it comes to styles and influences. Not that these guys are rudderless and without direction. What you get is a high-energy rock show with the band ebbing and flowing between the reggae-tinged "Crazy" to the Chili Peppers-influenced funk rock of "Television." The singer was the one to watch as he certainly had a stage presence that multiplied his stature. He was very friendly and talkative with the crowd and even invited a friend who was celebrating a birthday to the stage so everyone could sing "Happy Birthday." However, once the band would kick in and the music was playing, he would just explode with energy, prowling the stage this way and that and would expressively use his arms and eyes to help get the point of his lyrics across.

- SA Rocks Blog