Los Dryheavers

Thrasher Magazine, Sept, 2004 by Gabriela Lozano

LOS DRYHEAVERS ARE A FIVE-PIECE BAND from Central California who power out a breed of music that can only be described as punk rock and roll. In the four years the band has been in existence, they have kept busy "spreading the Hearer gospel," as they like to say. Their new release, Hang-ups, Heartaches and Hangovers (out now on Lorelei Records), is a mix of straight-forward street punk, dirty rock and roll and even some Ramones-esque style punk.

So how did the name Los Dryheavers come about?

Hector: One drunken night we came up with the name, and, you know, it's like your first tattoo--dumb and thoughtless and now you're just stuck with it

Felix: Actually, it's so dumb that for the remainder of this interview we will refer to ourselves as the mean rock and roll machine called the Heaver 5.

Cory: Hey, what the luck? I kind of like the name.

Tell me a bit about the music you play. It's interesting some of your songs are in Spanish, right?

Felix: Well, according to some kid in Petaluma, we sing "good in Mexican."

Hector: We like to keep the music diverse, so it also comes through in our songs.

Staxxx: Yeah, you can tell by the songs in our album that we have many influences and don't limit ourselves to just one style of music or one language.

How do you decide whether you're going to write a song in English or Spanish?

Staxxx: We don't plan them out. Each song has its own personality and it either comes out in English or in Spanish, and it we knew another language it would probably come out in that one too.

Felix: All I gotta say is Spanglish fuckers, Spanglish.

Cory: I don't give a luck. I'm the good looking one in the band so anything I say comes out sexy. Spanish or English.

What bands did you listen to growing up?

Hector: Everything from rancheras to punk rock.

Felix: Vicente Fernandez, or better known as Chente, Cabrones. And also, a lot of East Side Stories oldies. You know, all the shit the homeboys listen to.

Staxxx: I listened to a lot of '80s pop and a whole lot of blues.

What bands have you played with so far?

Hector: We've been lucky enough to play with a lot of bands. Dead Kennedys, DI. US Bombs, Fear, Murder City Devils. DOA, The Briefs. Total Chaos, Dee Dee Ramone.

Felix: Yeah, but there are a whole lot more bands that are not as well known that we've also played with that were fucking great. You know, the unsung heroes.

Tell me a bit about the label you're on. What's it been like for you guys and how did you hook up with them?

Felix: Well, there was a lot of courting us with romantic candle lit dinners involved.

Hector: Seriously, though, we are on Lorelei Records, which is run by Joe Clements (of Fury 66) and Russ Rankin (Good Riddance) and so far they've been great to us.

Staxxx: Yeah, we couldn't be happier. We're really lucky 'cause we're a hard-working hand backed up by a harder-working label.

Any plans for a tour? Or can you tell us where we can catch one of your shows?

Cory: Just check out our website www.losdryheavers.com; we continuously update our show dates page.

Felix: Look for the Spreading the Heaver Gospel tour number two.

Hector: We have a couple of Vans Warped Tour dates scheduled, and we also have a tour set up of the Southwestern states this summer.

Staxxx: And early next year we have a throe-week tour in Mexico, covering most of the Republic.

What do you like best about playing music and being in this band?

Cory: Getting to play in front of people: whether it's five or 500 people, every show is important.

Staxxx: It's been a great experience hitting the road and meeting new people, and of course it's always cool when you see familiar faces out there.

Felix: A lot of hot naked nights in the Heaver 5 van, "La Choriada."

Where can we pick up your album?

Felix: All right--shameless ping time You Call pick up the album on the Lorelei website: www.loreleirecords.com

Hector: You can get it at most stores if you request it. Lorelei has really good distribution

Any last words?

Felix: I just want to say that sometimes we rock but most times we just roll, so if you want perfection get the album.

Staxxx: Keep it real and cop a feel, suckers.

Cory: We're here to do it.