Zentonic:Drink Them In!

Watch out,Cali...or world, for that matter. Zentonic is here and has been for a solid year.If they are this good in that short amount of time, there is much more for our ears to look forward to (yes,you read right!)
This trio of 22 year old Latinos have the discipline to practice once a week collectively and even more so when an individual state and it shows. They have the smooth ability to handle a wide range of material including covers and their original tracks. They can transition from The Beatles' mesmerizing "Dear Prudence" to Caifanes' always danceable cumbia hit "La Negra Tomasa," proving their bilingual skills.


These easy going young men known as Zentonic, who have proclaimed themselves as "modern classic rock" on their Myspace page, prove their greatness through lead singer and guitarist Danny Chavez's seductive, screeching Plant-esque yells, bassist Ruben Cordova's quirky and appealing grooving feet, adding choreography (as much as can be incorporated in rock music), and Kenneth Lopez's constant rythmic enthusiasm.They present to be exactly what they seem: three good friends jamming out, the difference being that they seems as if they've gotten way over their "garage band" state, in a good sense.

As for Zentonic's original recordings, they have chops as Chavez uses a mean vibrato in "She's Come Undone". Their range is eclectic. They are able to present simple, daily anecdotes of blossoming rockers and their adventures in "Misplaced Soul", to a hypnotizing hippy groove that makes even the un-stoned want to dance on "Golden Lights." Whatever their angle, it's all organic and flowing. But does Zentonic even have an angle? " The only 'benefit' we get is the audience that networks with each other. They are the key element," said Chavez, recognizing that the audience is the one that makes or breaks you, and Zentonic has faithful supporters that will for sure keep increasing.

"We just want to present peace through music," says Cordova.Hence the name. "We want to present a message of enjoyment that will make people happy," adds Lopez.

As the lyrics rightfully suggest in their track "Poor California Tour," Zentonic is "the one that makes you wanna come back 'round."

Un hogar para los rockeros

Este pasado Sabado 24 de Mayo, en el periodico de Los Angeles Times salio un articulo sobre un programa de rock en espanol que ha estado en circuito desde 1995. Como puede ser que todo este tiempo la audiencia latina ha estado sin dicho lugar para salirse de la monotonia de Reik, Juanes,La 5ta Estacion, y los demas estrellas de pop rock que ofrecen las estaciones en espanol a diario. Localizado en 90.7 FM, el programa llamado "Travel Tips for Aztlan, ofrece musica de grupos de todo latino america, ademas de los locales. 

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-ca-latinradio24-2009may24,0,4718742.story

"Loncheras" get grilled

One of the most popular ways that the Latino community obtains food is being labeled a burden by different cities nationwide. Restrictions are being established by lawmakers, because they are, according to citizens, "disruptive," "a gypsy fication" echoing "Third world" tendencies, attracts "crowds and crimes."

Professor of law and Chicano studies at UC Davis says it is a perfect example of "the continuing culture clash in the U.S," for the trucks are being run by recently arrrived immigrants. Let's not forget to mention that the trucks cost the owners a pretty $150,000.

For more details, read Jeff Gottlieb's article in the Los Angeles Times.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-tacotrucks20-2009may20,0,2209904.story

Artiaga Family Receives Some Help

This family in Winnetka, which is near Canoga Park, is left homeless after trusting a man who they met at their church. They thought he would help them with their loan modification on their mortgage. The money never got to where it needed to be paid off. The Artiagas payed thousands up front, which came mostly from the father who is a busboy. They met the modification agent at their church and trusted him. So much for love thy neighbor.




The Artiaga family, which includes 6 children is living in front of their home. The parents do not speak English. Another case of immigrants betraying their own. It should be the other way,one helping another to achieve their dreams. Luckily, there are good people out there lending what they can.

"Sin Nombre" gives identity

Latinos. The movie that is crucial for perspective and universal tolerance toward one another is Sin Nombre directed by Cary Fukunaga and its more well known indie actors now executive producers Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. I do not mean to exclude anyone but if you yourself, parents, grandparents, tios/tias, or anyone near and dear escaped a struggle, whether it be social, economic,political or (the one that ties both together) emotional, this film will answer the why and why nots that come along with immigrating over here.

In Sin Nombre, a meeting of opposing worlds tales place when a reformed Mara Salvatrucha member is hero to a Honduran girl Sayra, not certain what her definition of family is for she hardly knows her own. Both with their own ghosts, strengths and at time weaknesses, they help each other to eventually hope for the prize of el norte. Edgar Flores' performance as Willy (also known as Casper,) will shake you to the core, for he is as lost as any of us have found ourselves, and portrays a familiar courage as we know those who have decided to cross from their lands have. He and the film itself does an excellent job of portraying the multiple reasons and inner conflicting reasons of why they had to flee wherever they came from.

The grittiness of the scenery brings the reality to the screen, from the tattoos on the many gangsters that no one would think twice to run from, to color of the dirty roads and impoverished neighborhoods that portray devastating reality. The beauty of the three locations, (Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras) are never masked, for its people are portrayed all natural onscreen, without typical Hollywood glam effect. Also, the dialogue is so authentically Central American which is important when it comes to having an audience lured in more,because many who are watching are experts and have maintained their language in tact. Sin Nombre has definitely earned the title of most intense and emotionally gripping drama.

My country,your country

Many times, people around me have demonstrated anything but joy when I asked them what their country of origin was. I'd follow it up with a "Cool! What is it like?" They'd respond, "It's not that great" or "Yeah...I'm from there...but I wish I wasn't" or own up to the country and then make an excuse, tracing back their lineage about three decades and refer to their grandparents' country of origin instead of the one that they regretfully resided in.

All of this is stunning to me. The ultimate place where I drew the line was when I had people tell me that there is no use in having pride in your country because we are all human and in that way,the same. How can a country be thrown away like that? To me,it is more than a piece of soil. With it, comes a culture filled with music, food,scenery which you will never forget when and if you depart from it one day, countless and priceless memories that took place there, from which you could make a map of your very own.

I read on one of the "The Way I See It" quotes on the back of a Starbucks cup, that diversity allows us to see our errors, strengths, and embrace others and ourselves...of course, this isn't word for word but I'm hoping the message is clear.I should not have thrown it away!

Yesterday, I saw a gardener working arduously, wearing a shirt that read Mexico. Shortly after, a man driving a van had the United States flag spread across his dashboard. The day went on and an Ecuadoran flag hung with pride from her rear view mirror. Within those tangible material demonstrations of pride are more than just a name of a land.

Don't let him be "misinterpreted"

Yes, news revolving the Summit of the Americas and the reactions afterward deserves two entries.

Former President of Cuba Fidel Castro has fought back against President Barack Obama's misinterpretation of what his brother Raul Castro,currently in power, according to the Los Angeles Times. Raul owned up and said something that Fidel could and never will admit: "We could be wrong.We admit it.We are human beings." This he said along with Cuba being open to discussing everything, from political prisoners, to human rights issues, and freedom of the press.

Everyone now stands in awe of the younger brother who they thought would never detach from his predecessor's tight grasp on the island and immobile mind set. However, one cannot ever get too comfortable or too certain, because soon after, the former president released a statement on his own blog saying that "without a doubt, the president (Obama) misinterpreted Raul's remarks." Fidel went on to say that his brother's remarks were meant to "show courage and confidence in the principles of the revolution." Does this mean that he is being delusional after years of tyranny and keeping it old school? Or is Raul faking us out by that statement where he recognized that possible errors could have been made? ...like taking away land, killing, limiting liberty, oppressing homosexuals (watch Before Night Falls to witness some of that,) and so on...
Whatever the next step is, let's hope that Raul is being truthful and sincere, because after all, he and his brother are "human."