Spider Monkey by Mezklah

Angel and Greg's friendship and musical collaboration began in 1997 with "Circa," a project initiated shortly after they met through a mutual friend and inspired by the alternative rock sound popular at the time. Angel had a collection of guitar-driven songs which he performed solo at open mics in and around Hollywood. He was heavily influenced by the alternative rock scene, including bands like Jane's Addiction, Radiohead, and Love and Rockets, which had a big impact on his vocal and guitar style. Shortly after Angel and Greg met, they knew there was a sense of chemistry and magic in the project and within three months, the now best friends had put together a short set best suited for L.A.'s open mic circuit.

By 1999, the "alternative rock bug" had run its course. And now, Angel not only wanted to change the sound and name of the project, but also diversify his lyrics by singing in Spanish. It was something he had never tried before, but was so eager to accomplish.

As a Chicano with deep roots in the state of Michoacan, Mexico, whose father had made the journey to the U.S. in 1969 as a migrant worker struggling to raise a large family, Angel had only to flex his lyrical tongue to express and reveal a world which had never left him.

Greg also felt it was time to break the constraints of what they had become accustomed to musically. Born in Southern California and of mixed German and Mexican descent, Greg's influences are many; from the laid back easy grooves of R&B, to the early Reggae roots, to "Garage Land Punk Rock' of the U.K., to the mix of p-funk, as well as the late 1970's performance art style of "New York Punk Rock." And although it took some time to break the old habits, they persisted, and to this day continue on their exotic musical journey.

A major source of inspiration for both Angel and Greg came from three Dj's who were also good friends. D.J. Praise One, Late, and Sheak One. They introduced Mezklah to an exciting new style of music coming out of the U.K. This was the beginning of a new way of making music. After buying a sampler and a couple of drum machines, Angel and Greg went to work combining all of the influences past and present while discovering the realm of World Music through KPFK, a local radio station in L.A.

In 1999, while searching out other members who were interested in creating a new sound, Angel ran into producer and engineer Eric Alatan. Born and raised in London, England with roots in Nigeria, Eric moved and settled in L.A. in 1990. Back in London, Eric became a promoter in the underground rave scene where Techno, Jungle, and Drum n' Bass took over and became his musical inspiration. When they met, Eric lived in a section of L.A. known as Silverlake where he ran a home studio. After listening to Angel play one of his songs in the living room of a mutual friend, Eric agreed to record the material Angel and Greg were working on. Now all of the elements had finally come together to create a new sound.

Mezklah's first full-length CD is scheduled for a 2005 release. All of the tracks were recorded at BFS studios in Los Angeles, California, by producer and engineer Eric Alatan. All songs were produced by Eric Alatan and co-produced by Angel Garcia. All songs written by Angel Garcia and co-written by Eric Alatan.

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