.Wasted Noise

music lylbHector Hurtado, rhythm guitarist and co-founder of Wasted Noise, says he will do whatever it takes to keep the band’s nine-year legacy intact and moving forward. Over the years, the reggae/rock/ska outfit has seen the departure of three singers and four drummers and had to adapt accordingly, but they’ve made it through, and continue to enliven audiences around their hometown of Salinas and the wider Monterey Bay. “Losing members has been hard for the band, but we’ve always been able to keep this alive,” says Hurtado, who originally formed the group with brothers Ruben and Hank Macias, on lead guitar and bass.

In the last three years, the trio brought singer Kyle Dunn and drummer Alex Cortez into the fold, and have since found a solid groove. Pulling from their diverse musical backgrounds, the band members have crafted a California-centric fusion of reggae and rock, with a little punk and ska thrown in. Hurtado says he takes inspiration for his rhythm guitar playing from Spanish music—especially Mariachi bands—rock, and groups like Sublime. “Everyone’s got their own flavor of music,” he explains. According to Hurtado, Dunn grew up listening to country artists, Cortez used to play in a metal band, and the Macias brothers have classic rock as their musical backbone. As a result, Wasted Noise borrows a little from every genre—a fact which is present throughout their latest album, Barn Session, which features some of their most popular songs, “Illusions,” “Mic’s and PA’s” and “High Grade.” Fans can expect to hear all that and more when the band stops by Moe’s Alley on Dec. 6, and shares the stage with roots reggae outfits One Drop and Coastal Sage.


INFO: 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 6. Moe’s Alley, 1535 Commercial Way, Santa Cruz. $8/adv, $10/door. 479-1854.

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