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The Band

Los Mocochetes are an 8-piece Chicano Funk band from Denver, CO. This colorful cast of characters fuses thoughtfully brazen, socio/politically charged song lyrics, groovilicious melodies and high-energy stage antics to create an immersive experience unlike anything you've ever seen before. Much like a machete, which can be used either as a tool to build or a weapon to kill, they have chosen to use their music to inspire and encourage positive social change, and they have a ton of fun along the way. Every show is different, but it’s always a dance party!


Full Bio and Electronic Press Kit

We are Los Mocochetes!

Bio

Los Mocochetes are a Chicano Funk band from Denver, CO. This colorful cast of characters fuses thoughtfully brazen, socio/politically charged song lyrics, groovilicious melodies and high-energy stage antics to create an immersive experience unlike anything you've ever seen before. Much like a machete, which can be used either as a tool to build or a weapon to kill, they have chosen to use their music to inspire and encourage positive social change. Every show is different, but it’s always a dance party with a purpose!

Los Mocochetes received the Westword Music Showcase award for Best Latin Band of 2017 and Best Funk Band of 2018. They were named Colorado Standout for NPR’s Tiny Desk Contest 2018 and opened for contest winner Naia Izumi on the Denver stop of his national tour. They have opened for a variety of national touring acts such as The Original Wailers, Lil’ Wayne, Flor de Toloache, Jessica Hernandez and the Deltas, Dos Santos, The Chamanas and Lil’ Jon. They have been featured in festivals including the Westword Music Showcase (local headliner), Denver Post Underground Music Showcase, Colorado Latino Festival, A Taste of Colorado, Mile High 4/20 Festival, Tribal Visions (NM), and have performed at numerous iconic Denver venues such as the Bluebird Theater, Oriental Theater, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center, Denver Art Museum, Levitt Pavillion, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company, Mercury Cafe, Larimer Lounge, Syntax Physic Opera, Aztlan Theatre, Lost Lake, Hi Dive, 3 Kings Tavern, Herman’s Hideaway, Lion’s Lair, and a sold out Ophelia’s Electric Soap Box. The band has a strong connection to New Mexico, often touring the state playing as far south as Acapulco, MX and as far north as Cheyenne, WY.

The current lineup features artists with a wide variety of influences. They are poets, singers, painters, rappers, actors, musicians, dancers, producers, composers, dreamers, doers, thinkers. They are gente who make music together and enjoy all forms of creativity. The Mocochetes are here to ignite a fire in every audience member to enjoy the moment and then go out and make a difference!



The Band


Joshua Randal Abeyta - Guitar, Vocals, Trumpet

Joshua Randy Abeyta is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist and singer/songwriter who grew up with a wide variety of musical influences. As his sound evolved, he began pulling from those influences to create a lively amalgamation of rock, hip-hop, reggae, jazz, blues, funk, punk and soul. Joshua is primarily a guitarist and vocalist, but is also proficient in bass, drums, piano, ukulele, trumpet, percussion and wood flute.

Beyond performance, Joshua is a producer, educator, activist, artist and father who believes that music is a universal language, and, if there is hope in uniting the human race, it may be through this medium. He has performed all over the United States as well as in Haiti and Japan.

Diego Florez - Bass, Guitar, Vocals

Diego Florez is a Poet, Artist, and musician. Born and Raised in North Denver, he was a part of Minor Disturbance, a youth poetry group that were three time championship at Brave New Voices. Diego was also a recipient of the Real Rock Star Award 2015.

For the last 3 years Diego has been the community director/MC of events, for a grassroots community organization called Free Music For Free people. Free music for free people has hosted 300+ free shows with and for young musicians that know positive vibrations and action can make a global impact. Diego has been featured in Westword Magazine, heyreverb.com, NPR, and has had poetry published in New Zealand. Diego says “ You know i just wanna play music, figure some new ways to do things and give them to our next generation, like my elders did for me.”

Elias Garcia - Lead Guitar, Vocals

Elías Brijido Garcia is a guitarist of the people. He uses his guitar to project a multitude of emotions through melodies. His guitar allows him to illustrate a variety of feelings and conjure up the memories that inspire him to give thanks and empower others through his music.

Elias and Diego had founded a project called Raiz del Sol - 'Roots of the Sun' when they first linked up with Joshua Abyeta and Stephen Marshall for a jam that would become the first Mocochetes band practice. He later learned that, upon a visit to family in New Mexico, he and Joshua were cousins. When Elias is not playing with Los Mocochetes, you can also see him perform with Denver Afrobeat heavyweights Pink Hawks.

Stephen 'Tio Ban Ban' Marshall - Drums, Timbales, Web & Graphic

Stephen was born in France, and grew up Washington D.C. before moving to Colorado in 2007. His connection to the band goes back to Denver non-profit Art from Ashes where he first met Joshua Abeyta and Jozer Guerrero. Ultimately teaming up with Youth on Record, Denver's youth organizations have always been at the root of Los Mocochetes.

Stephen was the original drummer for Los Mocochetes, but has studied African drumming at University of Maryland, and Latin Percussion with Willie Colon at Trinity College in Hartford, CT. His French-Arabic roots have helped influence a multi-colored style of rhythms, which are well represented in Los Mocochetes. Outside of the band, Stephen is also a web developer and built and maintains the bands' website.

Jose 'Jozer' Guerrero - Vocals, Percussion

Jose 'Jozer' Guerrero is a vocalist, and Guira player for Los Mocochetes. Being raised in Juarez, Mexico his lyrics often describe the immigrant experience, and discuss difficult issues such as police brutality, and oppression. Jozer is also a decorated actor and spoken word poet. When he is not onstage, you can find him in the classroom teaching poetry and theater for Organizations like Su Teatro and Cafe Cultura.

Jon 'Wicked J' Rubio - Drumset

Jon Rubio aka 'Wicked J' is 21 years old, born and raised in Denver, and has been a drummer since the age of 2 and later decided to marry music. He devotes his life to spreading music and that of others around the globe. As a Hip Hop and Rap artist, he is staying busy doing multiple genres of music, including Jazz, Metal, Rock, Indie, Rap, Regggae, Punk, and more. Wicked J became a Mocochete in April of 2018 and fits in perfectly.

As a Mocochete, he uses the music to heal those in need and help people through struggle. Even becoming a memnber of the band, he was always a Mocochete. Always a troublemaker, however he learned to use his experiences to teach others through song, and now makes music woth those of a like mind.

Our Music

Tracks


'Mocosos' demo - recorded at Youth on Record
May, 2016



Videos


'For the Love of Locals' Live Facebook stream with Eon247
June, 2018

Production Video from Levitt Pavillion
June, 2018

'Mocochete' - Open Air Session Live Broadcast with Denver Open Media
September, 2017

'Gipsy RIP' - Open Air Session Live Broadcast with Denver Open Media
September, 2017

'Revolución' - Open Air Session Live Broadcast with Denver Open Media
September, 2017


In the Press



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