Mandola
is a hard-rocking-thrash-like local El Paso band that is quickly gaining
attention of both fans and radio stations. The original crew started
four years ago.
Their current members include: Joe on guitar, Robert on bass, Charlie
singing and screaming vocals and eleven year-old Christian, Joe's
son, slamming on the drums.
(L)
Christian (drums) and Joe (lead guitar) perform as Mandola.
One
might do a triple take at first glance, but once the band starts playing
it's a mosh-pit in full action.
Christian joined the band when he was just ten years old. This was
a direct result from the loss of Mandola’s drummer. He is currently
eleven and a half and attends school full time. He said, "Sometimes
it's tough, but I get through it." Since he has joined the newly
regrouped band, "He's gotten a good 25-30 gig under his belt,"
said his father Joe.
"This keeps Chris away from the bad elements," said Joe.
Christian's first show was El Paso's Battle of the Bands in which
they got to the finals. They also received 2nd place in EPCC's Battle
of the Bands.
Joe calls their music, "contemporary with old school thrash in
a complex stream."
Cindy, his wife and Christian's mother, said, "I support them
all the way because this is what they want to do." She maintains
their web page on myspace.com/mandolarocks.
Up to date, they have played at local clubs such as: Bombardier's,
Lucky Devils, Purgatory, Surges and Chics. Mandola just burned cd's
in the studio with Eddie Garcia formally of the band Pissing Razors,
now with Krank Studios in El Paso.
These songs can also be played from their web page.
One of these songs called “Witches Broom” has been played
consecutively for three weeks in a row on the radio station 95.5 KLAQ
during a show called Q-Connected.
Songs can also be heard on the Q's webpage under local band listings
and their name. They have altogether 50 old and new songs, and 16
songs with the new band.
Joe attributes their success to Christian’s friends and the
fans who request their music after hearing them in clubs. The cover
art on their cd was created by Mario Ponce. Ponce graduated from EPCC
with an associate degree in Advertising and Graphics Design. Ponce
also currently assists in the advertising labs and teaches part-time
at Valle Verde.
He's very active in local art events and is working with Mandola and
Hot Topic to produce the band's t-shirts. Ponce has also designed
posters for other bands like Korn, Rage Against the Machine and Rob
Zombie. His work can also be found on myspace.com/21point7.
Mandola's songs can be heard on their web page, and cd's can be ordered
with a donation by e-mailing sikr69@yahoo.com. It includes “Witches
Broom” and four other hard-thrashing songs.
Mandola’s only accepting donations for the cd’s because
they, "...want to give their fans something back."
