I'm just a guy who has always liked music, especially live music. I'm a mid-fifties guy so I approach music a little differently than many music fans. I analyze the bands music with my senses. I listen to the bands vocals, all the instruments and sound system. I observe the band members individually and collectively, their energy, connection to audience and rapport. I'll also sense the crowd's energy and the venue's ambiance. I just don't go to see a band.
Este Vato, those "Bad Asses of Latin Fusion in Austin, Texas debuted a new song to their ever growing play list and added a horn section to the band.
Este Vato always strives for new and original songs, one of the things that I like about the band. They debuted "Palabra" last week at Trophy's Bar and Grill in Austin, Texas on February 5, 2011. They stayed true to their sound by remaining bilingual, maintaining the Latin Fusion sound , using an MC and DJ and most of all staying "edgy." Este Vato is not your run of the mill Latin band. They want to be and are different from other bands, Latin or not. They also strive to improve and expand their sound. The addition of a horn section does just that. They added a trombone and a trumpet player which gives the band a larger sound, more depth and more versatility. I like it all and look forward to more developments.
The band members are:
Rocky Reyna: Bass/Backing Vocals Oscar Reyna: Lead Guitar/Backing Vocals Ricardo Lara: Vocal/Acoustic Guitar Feliciano "Chano" Lopez: Vocals/Percussion Rey Treviño: Turntables/Samples Frank "FAAR" Ramirez: Drums/Percussion David Martinez: Trumpet Roy Pulido: Trombone
Check out the videos of the Trophy's performance:
Stay in touch with Este Vato and to catch their performances, check the links below:
The Beauty Bar is presenting a fantastic show for Friday of Free Week in Austin, Texas. No Charge to get into most venues and clubs during January 1-9, 2011. What a deal! and it is a big deal when you've got the premier bands in Austin on a Friday night.
The music for this event will cover several genres. Este Vato will bring the Latin Fusion element, Roxy Roca brings the Soul sound, Maneja Beto brings the "Indie en Español" mix and Brownout drives the Funk sound home.
This show is one of if not the best show of Free Week.
Venue: Beauty Bar located on 617 E. 7th Street Austin, Texas 78701.
Other Details: No Cover All Week. 21 years old and up. More details at do512.
I went to Trophy's Bar and Grill, one of my favorite Austin music venues because of it's comfortable neighborhood bar atmosphere, on September 18, 2010. I specifically went to see three bands on the line-up that night. The first was my favorite Austin Latin Fusion band, Este Vato. The second band was The Raspas, a Reggae band I first saw about a year ago at The Amsterdam. Lastly, Stars Collide, a rock band I hadn't seen but has been on my "must see list." Frank "FAAR" Ramirez, drummer for Este Vato is also the drummer for Stars Collide.
It was a great night for music. There was a festive crowd, it's always friendly and there's a feel or a bond among the crowd because they all know and follow the same bands. They feel comfortable yelling, screaming encouragement at the bands and definitely like dancing to their music.
Check out Trophy's, it' on South Congress Ave., Este Vato, The Raspas and Star Collide soon. I promise you won't be disappointed.
Este Vato introduced two new songs. The first "Levántate," which they have worked on for about a month. The second song, with no title as of yet, they wrote the night before. I really like both songs because they have a strong solid sound and beat. The two songs are definitely Este Vato trademark songs.
The Raspas "Poor Man Style" a great Reggae song that has become a favorite.
Stars Collide has a strong Rock sound and singer. They perform the song, "Better."
After looking at my social calender, I realized that it had been three months since I last sawEste Vato perform. It wasn't that I didn't want to see Este Vato. My schedule just didn't seem to coincide with their performance dates. It got to the point where I needed an Este Vato "fix."
It's no secret that Este Vato is my favorite band. I like their unique Latin Fusion sound created with a DJ and an Mecee. I first saw Este Vato back in October 2008 at Flamingo Cantina. We definitely have a history and I've lost count of how many times I've seen them perform. We are friends and I support them as often as I can. On September 1, 2010 I finally got to see Este Vato perform at the Beauty Bar in Austin, Texas. Every time I see them perform, I swear they sound better than the previous time I saw them.
Bemba Entertainment and Este Vato, Austin's best Latin Fusion band, is having a CD Release Party to promote and celebrate their music. This CD Release Party will be the "Mother" of all CD release parties and keep in mind "What happens in Mi Casa, stays in Mi Casa."
Venue: Mi Casa Cantina located at 503 E. 6th Street in Austin, Texas
Musical Line-up: Este Vato, Piñata Protest and Mexican Stepgrandfather Date: June 5, 2010
Time: 10:00 PM till they kick us out
Cost: Free - over 21 and $5 - under 21 years of age
Este Vato is officially debuting their self titled CD, "Este Vato," this Saturday and performing the songs from the CD plus new material. Este Vato specializes in Latin fusion, Mexican Cumbia and Rock with a skilled Emcee and a DJ to give their music more depth and uniqueness. I can honestly say there is no other band like Este Vato or comes close. They have already established themselves as a premier band in the Austin music scene and this new CD gives Este Vato the complete promotional package every band strives for. Este Vato is a must see musical experience.
Piñata Protest is another favorite band. I came across the band at In The Flesh Tattoo Studio loft a couple of years ago. When I heard they were a Punk/Rock/Conjunto band, I needed to see them. They are amazing and I catch them whenever they're in Austin. Piñata Protest is another unique band. I can't say I've ever heard a band like Piñata Protest before and was glad to see them again at Pachanga Latino Music Festival 2010 on May 22, 2010. Piñata Protest also has a new CD, "Plethora," out at this time and put them in the must category as well.
I first saw rapper Marco Cervantes, aka Mexican Stepgrandfather a couple of years ago at the Flamingo Cantina with Este Vato. I really liked MSG's lyrics, music and style. MSG was different. He was not a young teen or a twenty something, he is a mature brother, he is originally from Houston but lives in San Antonio, Texas and more interesting is the fact that Marco Cervantes is Assistant Professor of Mexican American Studies at University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA). MSG combines all these factors in his music and tells a story of the immigrant struggle and personal life experiences. You have to see MSG. Also, a must see performer.
The last time I saw Rocky Reyna of Este Vato, I told him I'd like to see an Este Vato show with Mexican Stepgrandfather. Thanks to Rocky for fulfilling my request and with such a special event.
I like a lot of bands and I have a lot of favorites. I especially like out of the ordinary bands. This event has three unique and exceptional bands that will provide a night of extraordinary entertainment, dancing and fun you'll remember for a long time. You will also become avid fans of these groups as I have. Hope to see you there.
If Manny Go Crazy were to put together a showcase, I would have picked the exact same bands. These four bands are on my "Top Favorite List" of Austin bands. I have seen these bands multiple times and look forward to seeing them again and again.
Location: Ruta Maya on 3601 S. Congress Ave. Austin, Texas
Musical Line Up and Times: El Tule @ 9 PM, Este Vato @ 10:15 PM, La Guerrilla @ 11:30 PM , and Headliner - Maneja Beto @ 12:30 AM
Cost: $5 for 21+ and $7 for Minors
Drink Special: Miller High Life $2; Harp, Red Stripe and Dos XX for $3
"Maneja Beto is an extremely popular Austin, Texas band. Their music is not easy to describe because it has elements of Mexican Cumbia, pop, rock, folk, "indie-en-Español" and some fusion, all blended into a mellow, upbeat, lounge and Latin sound" (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). If you're familiar with Maneja then I'm sure I'll see you at Ruta Maya. On the other hand, if you've never seen Maneja Beto, here's a "don't miss" opportunity to also become a new fan of the best indie in Espanol band in Austin.
La Guerrilla is a band with a lot of charisma and energy. Their music is upbeat, happy and makes you want to dance. La Guerrilla combines Reggae, Ska and World Music influences and occasionally includes theatrics to enhance La Guerrilla experience. This show will be La Guerrilla's official CD release show. Come and check out La Guerrilla , you''ll love them and then you'll buy their CD to continue the party anytime, anywhere you want.
Este Vato is a band that I have followed since their debut at Flamingo Cantina in October 2008 and have seen them progress extremely well musically and in establishing the Este Vato name. They are a band that combines Rock, Cumbia, Latin, Fusion and recently Funk. Their songs convey a message of pride in heritage, the struggles of our fore fathers and families and the power that we have collectively. Although the subject matter is on the serious side, the music still rocks. Este Vato just released their new CD as well. Come see them perform and also get their CD.
El Tule is also a very popular and a well established band in Austin. "Musically the band projects the Latin soul that Cumbias, Salsa and Merengues were meant to have." (Source: Rock y Roll Radio Blog). They bring the party to any event or venue where they perform and you see their name everywhere. El Tule also released their second CD in November 2009 and you should also purchase their Volumen II to complete your music library.
This showcase is one you shouldn't miss. It offers four of the best Latin bands in Austin and regionally that have a broad appeal. This showcase is the event of the year and may not occur again anytime soon because getting four extremely popular bands together at one time is very difficult. Hope to see you there, I know I will.
June 5, 2009 Austin, Texas - I first saw Este Vato perform back in October 2008 at Flamingo Cantina. In fact Este Vato was my very first blog. I liked them back then and I like them even more now. I've seen Este Vato perform a total of four times. First at the Flamingo Cantina, second at Trophy's Bar and Grill in January, third at the Mohawk for the Remezcal.comEn Tu Ciudad Tour in March and last Friday at the Tiniest Bar in Texas.
I've gotten to know the guys in Este Vato and can honestly say they are a very friendly and approachable group of talented musicians. I always look forward to seeing and hearing them perform.
Este Vato has transformed from a newly formed band back in October with only five songs, to a band with a solid playlist, new CD in progress, and with a lot of confidence and stage presence. The band has done a good job of establishing their name and their Cumbia Rock/Latin Fusion sound in a short time frame and in a very competitive music market.
Friday night Este Vato played solidly and with confidence despite the bar's sound technician not showing up for work. They worked the sound board and managed the sound levels excellently. They played my favorite song "El Poder" along with "Quemadura,"Mundo En Fuego" and others. They also played three new songs, "Balazo," "A Bit of a Rattlesnake," and "Movimiento."
I really liked the new songs. They had the familiar Cumbia Rock with an added rock guitar sound in "A Bit of a Rattlesnake." In "Balazo," Rey Treviño used a sample of the news broadcast and shot fired on that infamous day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. "El Poder" also samples recorded speeches by Ché Guevara and Martin Luther King. The samplings adds depth and impact to both of the song's message.
One of the things I was really disappointed with Friday night was the audience involvement. Every time I've been to a Este Vato performance the audience is out there dancing and having a good time. Even though the audience was appreciative of Este Vato and they sincerely applauded their performance, this audience was not a party crowd. There were three lovely ladies that got up to dance but I think they got discouraged for lack of other dancers and sat down. The only other person who got up to dance, without a partner, was Joaquin Garza. I have seen Jaoquin at all the Este Vato performances and just thought he was an avid fan. I thought it was time to meet this guy. It turns out that Joaquin is Chano Lopez's brother and Chano states "the song "Na Pos" is actually a nod to him named after one of his sayings..."Na Pos."
I think the band uses Joaquin as a plant and at a certain que from the band, Joaquin starts dancing. The audience sees someone dancing and then they join in. It sounds far fetched but it could happen?
This is the first time I've been to the Tiniest Bar in Texas. I like the outdoor set up. There is a small covered stage for bands to perform. The audience area has picnic tables, patio tables and chairs on a gravel covered area. The audience area also has a small covered patio and the area overall accommodates approximately 50 people plus comfortably. There is also an enclosed, elevated patio area, away form the stage, with table and chairs that holds approximately 15-20 people. Two bars in both areas provide alcoholic beverages for your consumption pleasure. Please Drink Responsibly.
Parking spots were hard to find. There were parking meters all the way around the block surrounding the bar but they were all taken. The possible explanation is all the condos in the immediate area. I circled the block a couple of times but with no luck. The second time I circled the block, I saw a sign for $5 parking. The parking was located at The Monarch. They have a covered parking garage and they had available spots. The Monarch lot is adjacent to the bar so I lucked out. The parking garage and surrounding area is well lit and there's plenty of traffic.
Overall it was a good night. I'll have to wait to see Este Vato again because they are going to Laredo and Hebronville, Texas this June to play some shows on their Pacopalooza 2009 tour. I wish them "Good Luck" and we'll see you when you get back.
Band members are: Rocky Reyna, Oscar Reyna, Ricardo Lara, Feliciano "Chano" Lopez, Rey Treviño and Frank "FAAR" Ramirez.
