The Dragons (band)
Encyclopedia
The Dragons was a rock band based in San Diego, California
, that released six CDs between 1991 and 2005. The band was notably fronted by singer/guitarist Mario Escovedo, whose musical family also includes Alejandro Escovedo
, Pete Escovedo
, Javier Escovedo (The Zeros), Coke Escovedo
, Paris Escovedo (the son of Coke Escovedo) and Sheila E
. Other members of The Dragons included Ken Horne (lead guitar), Steve Rodriguez (bass guitar) and Jarrod Lucas (drums).
The band played a combination of glam, garage and punk rock, similar to New York Dolls
and Hanoi Rocks
.
Before starting The Dragons, both Escovedo and Rodriguez had played together in a local San Diego band called M-80. The Dragons formed in 1991 and later that year performed at the first of their 11 appearances at South by Southwest
. The band released a vinyl EP called "X" for a label in Spain called Impossible Records.
A year later they followed with a single for Poptone Records that brought them a lot of local radio exposure. In 1996, The Dragons recorded "Painkiller" for Scam-O-Rama records. Two years later in The Dragons signed a deal with Junk Records and released "Cheers to Me", "R.L.F." and "Kamikaze" in three consecutive years. The band followed that with a Japanese-only release "The Dragons." In 2003, The Dragons signed with Gearhead Records
and released "Sin Salvation." Over the years, the band toured nationally both on the club circuit and as opening act for major bands.
After 13 years and six albums, the band announced it was parting ways in November 2005. Guitarist Horne moved back to his native Japan, and in 2008 joined The Bronx
. The Dragons have since reformed with guest lead guitarists for a few one-off shows from time to time.
Escovedo has since formed a new band called the Mario Escovedo Xperience (MEX for short) that plays music more akin to Los Lobos
and the Texas Tornados
than the hard rock of The Dragons.
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, that released six CDs between 1991 and 2005. The band was notably fronted by singer/guitarist Mario Escovedo, whose musical family also includes Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo
Alejandro Escovedo is an American singer-songwriter.-Biography:The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Escovedo is from a family that boasts several professional musicians, including brothers Coke Escovedo and Pete Escovedo, and Sheila E...
, Pete Escovedo
Pete Escovedo
Peter "Pete" Michael Escovedo is a Mexican-American musician percussionist.-Biography:With his two brothers, Pete formed Escovedo Bros Latin Jazz Sextet, before Santana hired Pete and Coke Escovedo for his group.He led the 14-24 piece Latin Big band Azteca.Father to musician Sheila Escovedo, aka...
, Javier Escovedo (The Zeros), Coke Escovedo
Coke Escovedo
Coke Escovedo was an American percussionist born April 30, 1941 in Los Angeles, California. Coke Escovedo first rose to prominence in 1969 as a member of Santana. Coke would be a featured on Santana's) Santana III album. In early 1972 Coke formed Azteca along with his brother Pete Escovedo...
, Paris Escovedo (the son of Coke Escovedo) and Sheila E
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
. Other members of The Dragons included Ken Horne (lead guitar), Steve Rodriguez (bass guitar) and Jarrod Lucas (drums).
The band played a combination of glam, garage and punk rock, similar to New York Dolls
New York Dolls
The New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
and Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
.
Before starting The Dragons, both Escovedo and Rodriguez had played together in a local San Diego band called M-80. The Dragons formed in 1991 and later that year performed at the first of their 11 appearances at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
. The band released a vinyl EP called "X" for a label in Spain called Impossible Records.
A year later they followed with a single for Poptone Records that brought them a lot of local radio exposure. In 1996, The Dragons recorded "Painkiller" for Scam-O-Rama records. Two years later in The Dragons signed a deal with Junk Records and released "Cheers to Me", "R.L.F." and "Kamikaze" in three consecutive years. The band followed that with a Japanese-only release "The Dragons." In 2003, The Dragons signed with Gearhead Records
Gearhead Records
Gearhead Records is an independent record label that started in San Francisco, California. It was later co-run out of Davis, California and is now totally run out of Woodland, California . The label was formed in April 2000 by Michelle Haunold and Mike LaVella. In 2006, the company was split in...
and released "Sin Salvation." Over the years, the band toured nationally both on the club circuit and as opening act for major bands.
After 13 years and six albums, the band announced it was parting ways in November 2005. Guitarist Horne moved back to his native Japan, and in 2008 joined The Bronx
The Bronx (band)
The Bronx is an American hardcore punk band from Los Angeles formed in 2002. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Matt Caughthran, guitarists Joby J. Ford and Ken Horne, bass guitarist Brad Magers, and drummer Jorma Vik...
. The Dragons have since reformed with guest lead guitarists for a few one-off shows from time to time.
Escovedo has since formed a new band called the Mario Escovedo Xperience (MEX for short) that plays music more akin to Los Lobos
Los Lobos
Los Lobos are a multiple Grammy Award–winning American Chicano rock band from East Los Angeles, California. Their music is influenced by rock and roll, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, brown-eyed soul, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music such as cumbia, boleros and norteños.-History:The...
and the Texas Tornados
Texas Tornados
Texas Tornados is a Tejano band. Its music is a fusion of rock, country and various Mexican styles.-History:The initial combination of musicians of the Texas Tornados happened almost by chance at a concert performance of a mutual acquaintance...
than the hard rock of The Dragons.
Discography
- "Pain Killer" – Scam-O-Rama Records, 1996
- "Cheers to Me" – Junk Records, 1998
- "Rock Like Fuck" – Junk Records, 1999
- "Live at the Casbah" – Junk Records, 2000
- "Sin Salvation" – Gearhead Records, 2003
- "Rock n Roll Kamikaze" – Gearhead Records, 2004