Juan Avila: Rock en Español Takes Root in Bakersfield
Juan Avila: Rock en Español Takes Root in Bakersfield
Spanish rock is finally catching fire in Bakersfield, and that’s an evolution I hope to see continue.
I am part of the group called Mozca Entertainment named after the band that I was in. We have put on some local Spanish rock shows called “El Tremendo Huarachon,” which means the tremendous sandal.
These concerts have featured Latino music artists and bands from Los Angeles and Bakersfield.
To date, we have put five shows together with performances from the following bands: LikHy2, Vudu-Iguana, Insomnio, Mundo Aparte, Las 15 Letras, Los Olvidados, Los Abandoned, Ojo De Agua, Musik Box,
Enjambre, and Pastilla.
We have collaborated with Chencho Madera, the owner of the Bakersfield Dome, where we hold a show once a month on a Friday. The shows are held at Chencho’s BBQ and Beer, which is a section of the Bakersfield Dome that holds 200-300 people.
The ambience of our shows is very positive; it breaks the stereotypes that Latinos only listen to hip-hop, rap, rancheras, or quebraditas.
Spanish rock is not about violence. It is about self consciousness and being proud of who you are.
It is important that the Latinos are exposed to different types of
entertainment, especially those that embrace artistic growth. Spanish
rock is also not all about rock music.
It is an umbrella of different genres like Spanish rap, hip-hop, alternative, reggae, ska, punk,
cumbia, merengue, rock, metal, and even Spanish experimental.
This musical amalgam satisfies many different musical tastes.
Our goal is to provide a positive experience to our Latino youth.
Music is very powerful.
You might be wondering why I know so much about Spanish rock.
Well, for one, while working toward my music industry studies degree at Northridge, I became involved in the Spanish Rock music scene there. I organized two shows on campus and became the vocalist of the Spanish
punk band, Mozca.
After noticing that Spanish rock bands were getting into bad contract deals with major labels, I made it a goal to prepare myself and create my own independent Spanish rock record label.
To do this, I went back to school to get my master’s degree.
After being back for a year, my girlfriend, family, and friends pushed
me to organize Spanish rock shows here in Bakersfield.
They believed it was important to bring the Los Angeles Latino music
scene to this city.
Busy with a full-time job and as a full-time student, I resisted for quite some time. Passion always seems to prevail and on March 25, 2005, with the help of
Jesus Medina, Javier Parra, Nikki Arreola, Elva Avila, and Alex
Delgado, the first Spanish rock show in Bakersfield was put together.
I have noticed that there is a large group of people who want a venue that exhibits Spanish Rock music. The goal of Mozca Entertainment is to show our Latino communities that there are many beautiful things outside of our small Bakersfield world.
Eventually, we hope that many young musicians become inspired to form their own Spanish rock bands and spray the crowds with musical notes instead of bullets. Music for the Latino by the Latino.
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