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Getting down with Upground!

By: Noe G, Special to MAS

Topics: 2010, February, Fishlips, Mento Buru, Noe G, Upground, Vanity Avenue

Getting down with Upground!

By Noe G, MAS Contributor

Upground is an East Los Angeles band that offers a cohesive blend of genres into one distinct sound.

Their musical roots and character began in East LA, where the still youthful group — comprised of mainly childhood friends — formed a connection. Group members have assorted tastes in music, and early on, mimicked bands such as: The Beatles, Bob Marley, Los Lobos, The Misfits, Led Zeppelin and Tito Puente, amongst others. Such differing musical influences created an energetic fusion of Reggae, Latin, Ska, Cumbia and Rock.

Upground is no stranger to Bakersfield stages and has opened for War, The Killers, Los Lobos, Tierra, Mento Buru, and Ozomatli. They will return to appear in concert in Bakersfield, Feb. 13 at Fishlips.

For more info, go to: www.upgroundmusic.com.

Upground took some time to share more about their band with MÁS — here’s what they had to say:

Q: What is your name of your band and who are the band members?
A: Upground — Adolfo Mercado Jr.; Danny Estrada; Aaron Perez; Everardo Garcia (EV); Joe Quinones; Chris Manjarrez (Bolilio); Eric Carrillo; Anthony Medina.

Q: How did you guys get started? For how long?
A: We were friends in junior high & high school (Garfield High in East Los Angeles) and most of us were involved in various music programs from school, jazz band, orchestra and marching band. We were exposed to music very early on and influenced by the local East LA bands on the scene, such as Ozomatli, Quetzal and Quinto Sol.

Q:  What kind of music do you play?
A: Everything, we are an eight-member band and our individual influences and backgrounds vary from classic rock, hiphop, cumbia, reggae, etc., so we fuse this all together. We don’t really have a “genre” or specific box to identify us. We get called everything from a ska, reggae, swing, cumbia, rock band ... so it’s hard to say.

Q: Why are you coming to Bakersfield? Is this your first visit? If not, what do you think of Bakersfield?
A: We were invited from Noe G from Hot-94 to play the Valentine’s Show at Fishlips. We’ve been to Bakersfield a few times in the past — the fans are really cool and supportive, always showing us love.

Q: How has Latin music influenced your band?
A: It helped us find our identity. With that, we formed ourselves musically, which is why and how we started to add cumbia and salsa to our set. Prior to that, we were playing mostly just reggae and way back when, even hip hop. Now we know who we are musically.

Q: What message do you have for Bakersfield?
A: To stay positive, keep moving forward and continue supporting and introducing live music to your community.

Q: Favorite Latino musicians or bands, and why?
A: Being that there are eight of us, we all have different styles and influences. But we do agree on the following: Carlos Santana, War, Ozomatli, Quetzal,  El Chicano, Los Fabuloso Cadillacs.

Q: What is the message behind your songs?
A: On our second album, “Feel the Vibe,” it was about being aware of ourselves and being conscious of our community. We have a song called “night stick NO,” which is about police brutality that was influenced by something one of us witnessed. Then there’s “big mistake, which is about a friend who started using drugs and he influenced that song. On our upcoming album, “Stay Cool” is sort of the follow-up to knowing what’s going on, but not letting it overpower you, staying positive, “Stay Cool.”

Q: Any big projects coming up?
A: Yes, our third CD, “Stay Cool” — the music is finished, the artwork is in progress.

—Massvmixx presents “BAILA,” a pre-Valentine’s Day Get Down, featuring from East LA, Upground. Also performing will be Bakersfield’s Vanity Avenue with WAR’s very own Marcos Reyes. Opening DJ set by Noe G! Come out Saturday, Feb. 13 at Fishlips, 1517 18th St. 661-324-2557. Doors open at 8 p.m., $10 cover and drink specials all night!

Also printed in MAS Magazine, February - 2010!
(click cover to find a free rack location near you!)