Courtesy

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