Oct 12, 20245 min read

STARDUST* Spotlight: The Los Kalaveras Exclusive Interview

Article written and published by Charles "Wesley" on Saturday, October 12th.

Photo taken by (@lexs_fotography) on Instagram

Formed in Houston, Los Kalaveras is a newer punk band that embraces everything around them. Running some of the best D.I.Y gigs in the city in the past few years I was eager to reach out to them to answer a few questions for this article.

I first saw the band back in May the day before Cinco De Mayo when the played a free show in a backyard that was home to a friend of mine. I worked at H-E-B for over 3 years where I met Max who was one of the roommates of three in this house. The previous year (2023), In July I threw a backyard show there not expecting it have a cannon effect of bookings at the house. Yet after that one and a NYE party, my friends in Mask Tape & A Distraction, the newer act, Los Kalaveras put on an insane backyard show with free pizza.

Shook by their energy, spirit and love for the music, I was drawn to them. I met Eddie for the first time a few hours before hand while setting up some for the show that night. A great soul that is always helping others while giving not only a good time but a great performance.

Relive the night from this recording of the full live set from the demo release house show!

The band has released their first demo tape "Los Demos" earlier this year on May, 11th and it is now available to stream on all platforms. Read below for the full band interview from Eddie, Marlon, Jason & Leo.

When was the first time you guys settled on the name Los Kalaveras?

E: “The first time I came up with the name Los Kalaveras was from my great grandpa in Mexico, I went to visit him in 2018, at the time I was dreaming of becoming an MMA fighter, I told my grandpa about my dream, that’s when he told me he was a boxer back in the day, and his name was Calavera, he then said I can have his name for my fights, unfortunately I tore my ACL and had to stop fighting, I want to keep the name somehow and one day I came up with the name Los Kalaveras, established the band out in Cali with my boy Elvis, when I moved out to Houston, I asked Jason, Leo and Marlon to join the band!”

What does the band mean to each individually?

E: “The band means the world to me, getting the chance to play on stage with my brothers to a crowd of 100, 20, or even 1 person, it doesn’t matter, I’m with my boys, we’re expressing ourselves the only way we know how, without them I don’t know where I’d be or what I’d be doing, my advice to the scene, is to find your tribe, your brothers/ sisters and build a good friendship with them, get on the same page and humble yourselves, don’t let egos get in the way of creativity, find the message that you want to express.”

L: “This band means a lot to me because I got to meet Jason and Eddie. One of the coolest people I’ve ever met and I consider them family at this point. I’ve been knowing Marlon before, since we work at the same place but we grew closer ever since he joined our band as our Bassist. I also consider him family too. Not only that, but I’m honored to be playing alongside with them and for me to meet new people along the way. I’m always looking forward to play shows whenever we can and discovering new places as well. It’s such a great privilege and opportunity for me.”

What is the best D.I.Y show you guys have been a part of?

J: The best show we were apart of, was definitely the show we through at the abandoned Italian restaurant / church! We went bare moose knuckles with it. It doesn't get more DIY than renting out a generator with the last bit of money each of us had to put this show together. It started with an idea I had while strolling through the neighborhood I noticed the back door was open, it peaked my curiosity, so just like any other ambitious abandoned place explorer I decided to check it out, to my surprise it was huge!! I instantly knew this is the next place I wanted to throw a show at!

Left & Right photo by (@lexs_fotography), Middle photo taken by (@cbass_zz)

(continued) So I hit up the boys, we hit up our brothers and asked if they'd be down to play a show, and as risky as we all knew it was, the show went off without a hitch! We got there a bit early and started setting up in the church things were lookin good, to be honest I didn't know if much people were going to come, but sure enough crowds of people came, we had this place packed, it was hotter than satans ass in there!! But we made it work, it even got the attention of locals living in the area, whom also checked it out, and had never seen anything like this!! But the end of the night all bands had gotten to play, and we even let another band hop on last minute to play a song! Truly this is only the begging of the abandoned shows to be played, just keep and eye out and we'll have another ready before you know it!!”

What are some influences that everyone grew up with?

L: “Most of my influences while I was growing up back then, (band wise), is Breaking Benjamin, Chevelle and Mudvayne. Not only that I really like their style of music, those bands are one of the reasons why I wanted to start playing the drums because of the drummers from each band respectively. They’re amazing."

Photo taken by (@lexs_fotography)

What are some goals for the band this upcoming year?

L: I’m really grateful for the position that I’m currently at. I get to meet great people along the road, I have a good relationship with not only just my band mates but having a good relationship with our brother bands out there too! And I wouldn’t have it any other way. Life’s going good so far for me and I hope to keep doing what I’m doing until I kick the bucket.

Any words for others trying to do more in the local music scene?

E: I leave you with this if by any chance your reading this future musicians, art is an expression of the soul, an extension of your soul, do not sell that, stick to what you love to make , and to what you want to make, don’t sell your music short for the quickest buck, the music should be the love and focus, the money may or may not come but live through the love of it, that’s just how I see it