U'RACA takes its name from the spanish word urraca, which means magpie, a black and white bird found throughout Northern New Mexico. The bird is known for its beauty and unique squawk. In symbolism the bird is considered a messenger of both good and bad depending on the context. The band is a politically minded group of Chicano musicians set on delivering good music while at the same time spreading powerful messages about social change. Never confined by a particular genre the band produces a wide range of musical concepts which can only be defined as "Chingon" (spanish slang term for bad a**). Marco "El Ritmo" Sandoval on drums and all percussion instruments provides the foundation by using his hands to create musical sentences on everything from a 7 piece drum set to the cajon and bongos. Victor "In A Steady Trickle" Magallenes sings with his fingers by lacing every track with guitar rhythms that provide an emotional context to the lyrics. Moises "Toaster" Gonzales uses his evolving style on the bass guitar to create heart pounding baselines that enrich the music with depth and give it that fullness of a live band sound. 'Mano Izquierda ('M.I.) uses his vocal delivery and lyrical skillz to not only tell the stories of his people but also to craft socially conscious messages that often times hold multiple meanings. U'RACA is GOOD MUSIC!!! And a testament to the notion that there can be no revolution without artists.