OCHO-X was formed in April, 1994. The original members included myself on guitar, my brother, Mark Sotelo on keyboards, Gil Brebes on congas, Todd and Scott Beopple on guitar and bass, Michael Bell on congas/percussion/vocals. Michael Kishaba joined us shortly thereafter on drums.
Later, the Beopple brothers were replaced by Gil Brebes, switching to guitar/vocals and Oscar Del Pinal, an accomplished classically trained musician on bass. Michael Kishaba was replaced by Justin Smith on drums. Michael Bell went on to establish his own band.
During this period, I was fortunate enough to meet John "Bunk" Gardner, the world famous sax player from Frank Zappa's band the Mothers of Invention. I invited Bunk to a rehearsal. He joined the band and gigged with us for about a year.
The band continued to evolve when Pete Burke (Sierra Madre's favorite son and an impeccable musician) replaced Justin Smith on drums. The band is also augmented by Brian "Fish" Stoll on an array of percussion instruments that takes up inordinate stage space.
OCHO-X performs for civic festivals, art openings, public schools, universities, nightclubs, weddings and private parties. We even did a show for the Elk's Club in Palmdale.
OCHO-X performs it's own original compositions and is purported by pedestrians to sound like SANTANA crossed with PINK FLOYD with a little CREAM, Funk, and of course, ZAPPA.
Lonnie Sotelo - April 2006
Who cares if you're so poor, you can't afford to buy a pair of mod a-go-go stretch elastic pants? There will come a time when you can even take your clothes off when you dance. Wah, Wah, Wah, Wah.
Hi OCHO-X, just a quick hello from the Jazz Pistols - hope you are doing fine and have a nice christmas season. Thanks for being our friend and good luck for the things you do. Best regards - Christoph
Our Live-DVD will be released on the 1st of February 2007!
If you would like to hear more tunes of the Jazz Pistols you can check out our homepage and get the Jazz Pistols CDs in our own shop - if you are living in the USA it will be cheaper to get them at CDBaby, Abstract Logix or as digital download at iTunes. Please join our newsletter if you are interested in our tour schedule and upcoming releases.
hey, is that Bailey Canyon up there? and who is that scaling the rock? Cool! Oh and yea, I am SOMEONE'S mama!! Love your songs!!!! Reminder for all reading this message: Call YOUR mom every now and then - she'd like to hear from you.......
my brothers - howz it? just sending some love out to the band. I think I am familiar with the pedestrian who said you're like santana, pink floyd with a little cream. (can I get a stir stik with that?)
hey! Wow I'm honored to be on the band's top eight, but considering my uncle IS in the band, I guess I would've expected nothing less. :p
Anyway, this page is really cool, I don't think I've ever really heard you guys before (too many 18+ shows) and I did for the first time. It's really funky, I love it!
