Mezklah is a play on the words “to mix” in Spanish. It is fitting for the members of this band to have an original and eclectic sound when you consider their background.
The band’s home is Los Angeles, which is known for its mix of different ethnic backgrounds. Once again, the City of Angels has produced another underground band with a lot of promise. Mezklah’s refreshing sound ranges from hypnotic to a powerful rush of artistic expression. Their blends include reggae, Latin, rock n’ roll, and techno.
Recently, The Epoch Times had a chance to sit down with the quartet that consists of Martias Pizzaro on drums, Greg Hernandez on guitar, Andrew Garcia on vocals, and Juan Carlos Ramirez on the synth bass, bass, and keys.
Epoch Times: How did your band come together?
Andrew Garcia: It was me and Greg, about ten years ago, we met up. We started a band called Circa…”
Greg Hernandez: Before the millennium … I met Angel [Andrew] with an acoustic guitar and a notebook full of drawings and poems and words. Angel was working in a legendary café in Culver City called Jasmine and we met through a mutual friend.
Garcia: Then we worked on [our band] Spider Monkey, and that all took about six years …Now we have Martias and Juan Carlos and it’s like a whole other animal, a lot more powerful—the presence is much more intense.
Epoch Times: Where does your band name come from?
Garcia: Mezklah means to mix, we spell it differently. In Spanish, it means to mix.
Epoch Times: What are your main influences?
Hernandez: I think we all share a love for reggae. I think we all share a love for soul and Latin music. We also like calypso … A lot of early American music from the sixties … Punk rock I think brought the “DIY” or do–it-yourself mentality.
Epoch Times: What do you hope your fans take away from your shows?
Hernandez: A feeling of escape, and that they are feeling good about themselves.
Garcia: Definitely empowerment, and the idea that you can do something new.
Epoch Times: Do you plan on going back to the studio soon?
Garcia: We have this EP that is just coming out. We just wrapped it up.
Epoch Times: What is the name of the EP?
Garcia: Bestia Zonika which means sonic beast.
Epoch Times: Are there causes you support?
Hernandez: We have done a lot of fund raising in Mezklah’s time
Garcia: We have done a whole spectrum of causes.
To see this interview in its entirety, visit www.myspace.com/mezklah . The band is currently gearing up for their trip to Mexico, playing in the Tokyo music festival in late August, and Buenos Aires in October.
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