Welcome to the Rocks Off 100, our portrait gallery of the most compelling profiles and personalities in the far-flung Houston music community -- a lot more than just musicians, but of course they're in there too. See the entire Rocks Off 100 at this link.
One of the city's hardest-working musicians is a percussionist known simply as "Chapy." Whether sitting behind the drum set for Los Skarnales or on the congas with The Suffers, this beat keeper interjects an unmatched energy and soul into every project he produces.
Who?"My name is Chapy, also known as Jose Luna," says Chapy. "I'm 24 years young. I come from a family of musicians, my entire childhood revolved around music. I have memories of my cousins and I dressing up as KISS and putting on concerts with buckets and cardboard guitars in my grandma's garage when I was about five years old.
"The best shows we ever put on were always during the holiday season, because we got to use fireworks," he adds. "One time we even had to cancel a show because we used an atomic smoke bomb in a closed garage and almost suffocated."
"I started playing paid gigs when I was about 14 years old in hole-in-the-wall cantinas, quinces, and weddings... with the occasional strip club," continues Luna. "My dad and uncles' band (Pasion de Luna) needed a percussionist and I guess I did a good job. Since my cantina days, I've come a long way. I've played with the Solja Kings in front of 20,000 people, won first place in a NAMM (National Association of Music Merchants) Competition in California, and have had the opportunity to play with the percussionist from Santana."
Currently, continues Luna, "I'm playing with who I think are two of the best bands in Houston: Los Skarnales and The Suffers. I also have side projects like Del Aguajal and Los Ladrones, and last but not least Chango Man and Los Guerreros de la Musica! I also do random salsa gigs when they need me, as well as recording sessions. Damn, that's a lot!"
Home Base: Luna says he currently works for one of Houston's largest youth-oriented nonprofits. He practices three times a week at Francisco Studios with his various groups, including his newest Los Ladrones, which he started with his good friend Marlon of Houston B-boy crew Havikoro.
"I perform wherever I get invited to perform," Luna says. "Shitholes, holes in the wall, cantinas, and festivals. Some of my favorite places to play are Fitzgerald's and the Continental Club."
Why Do You Stay In Houston? "Because of the culture," Luna says. "I love to see how much Houston is growing. You really can't get any more international than this city.
"I can get anything from micheladas, pupusas, fried grasshoppers, and so on," he adds. "Besides the traffic, I really do love Houston. And most importantly because my family is here. Shout-out to Ama (my grandma), El Beef Man, and everyone else (you know who you are). Love you guys!
War Story: "Eeesh, I don't even know where to start," Luna begins. "So many good ones.
One time with my uncle's band, we were playing at a cantina and during our set some people started fighting and shooting. [It] got so bad the damn security guy ran away rather than stopping them. Another time in Pasadena, there was a drug bust at another cantina we were playing at and my little scrawny ass got kicked in the chest by a damn cop.
Last one: during a gig in Alabama with Solja Kings at a shitty club, rain leaking through the ceiling, all our equipment got wet. To top it off, we had to make it back as fast as possible, driving all night to make it in time for the XO concert we were playing in the morning. Shit was intense!
Music Scene Pet Peeve: "People who judge you based on your age, not because of the way you play," Luna says. "And badass musicians who are total assholes."
5 Records You Can't Live Without:
"Impossible to narrow down to 5 but I'll try," he says.
Kid Cudi, Man On the Moon
Various Artists, The Roots of Chicha: Psychedelic Cumbias From Peru (Albums 1 & 2)
Jose Alfredo Jimenez, The Best of Jose Alfredo Jimenez
Ruben Blades and Willie Colon, Siembra
The Strokes, Is This It
Bonus: Jacques Offenbach, "Barcarolle" from The Tales of Hoffman
Best Show Ever: "I've played and attended so many amazing shows," Luna says. "Most recent ones I've played that were amazing because of the energy were with Los Skarnales at Mango's with the Skatalites and downstairs Fitz with Fishbone.
"Some of my favorite shows attended recently were the reunion of Caifanes at House of Blues and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs in Mexico City," he adds.
What's the Next Show/Project You're Promoting? "Come check out The Suffers at Free Press Summer Fest on Sunday at 11:40 a.m. at the Mars Stage," Luna says. Be sure to check out or Web site at thesuffers.com for our new singles and also shirts. Also watch out for a Los Ladrones show coming up in July!
See who else has joined The Rocks Off 100 this year on the next page.
THE ROCKS OFF 100 2013 ALUMNI
Love Dominique, Wicked Heart R&B Chanteuse
Chris Gerhardt, Mastermind of Giant Battle Monster
The Jobe Wilson Band, the Boys From Chambers County
Kimberly M'Carver, Missouri City's Nightingale
DJ Panchitron, Stirring the Cumbia/Moombahton Melting Pot
D.R.I's Kurt Brecht, Thrash Zone Supervisor
Sloan Robley, The Last Houstonian Banshee
Jack Saunders, Dealer of Grit & Jangle
Richard Ramirez, Noise God and Black Leather Jesus
Mike Meegz, Scoremore's Houston Lieutenant
Jacqui Sutton, Houston's "Jazzgrass Lady"
Robin Kirby, Silk and Sandpaper Songwriter
Billy Dorsey, Grammy-Winning MARATHON Runner
David DeLaGarza, Don of Tejano Stars La Mafia
Jason Puffer, Your Psychedelic Sex Panther
Tobin Harvell, Fitzgerald's Unflappable Floor Manager
Walter Suhr, the Straw That Stirs Mango Punch!
Tony Garza, La Orquesta Salmerum Founder
OG Ron C, Chopstar King of the Purple Dome
Football, etc., Giving Emo Back Its Good Name
Angela Jae, Renaissance Artist
Shellee Coley, Voice of the Northern Woods
Blaggards, Houston's St. Paddy's Day House Band
DJ Meshak, Hongree Records' Sound Selecter
K-Rino, South Park Coalition's Southside Maven
DJ Candlestick, One Niceguy and a Very Busy DJ
Danielle Renee, Only Beast's Destroyer of Walls
Felipe Galvan of Los Skarnales
Kristine Mills, Houston's Brassiest Voice
Brian Davis, Punk Drummer, Horror Composer
Elroy Boogie, Top-Notch Turntablist
Alyssa Rubich, Angel of Instability
Alphonso "Fonz" Lovelace, Righteous Drummer
Frank Zweback, Funkmaster General
OG Bobby Trill, Bombon Beatmaker
Beau Beasley, Organist for the End of Time
Dwight Taylor Lee, the Wandering Bufalero
Coline Creuzot, Soulful Pop/R&B Singer
Cristina Acuna, Cactus Music's Twitter Fingers
Clint Broussard, Blues In Hi-Fi Man Now Back On FM
Nortnii Rose, Houston Ska's Greatest Hope
Ramblin' Chase Hamblin, the Man Who Will Be Paid
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