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“My name is Angelica Monroy and I am an artist. I am a photographer, a painter, writer, musician, and a singer. I pour my heart into everything I do, and I can never get enough of it. I’m currently enrolled in a community college, majoring in psychology and studying art as a minor. I am currently living in Santa Ana.”
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The Hurricanes Vs. The World
by: Angelica Monroy
May 5, 2016
It’s almost 12:30 and the band that I actually came to see hasn’t even started setting up. The sweaty faces I once saw dancing around the small main stage for the previous bands have managed to fade out the doors of Diego’s Rock N Roll bar. Suddenly, a chill begins to creep in, taking the people’s place. A few minutes pass and and I’ve managed to introduce myself to one of my favorite local photographers. To pass the time, we chat about the frustrations that come along with being a “photographer” like, taking credit for work and originality. My friend came prepared with his canon camera, well equipped for the dim setting that this particular bar always had. Me? well, I wasn’t even planning on showing up tonight! I wasn’t planning on photographing anything tonight really.
May 5, 2016
It’s almost 12:30 and the band that I actually came to see hasn’t even started setting up. The sweaty faces I once saw dancing around the small main stage for the previous bands have managed to fade out the doors of Diego’s Rock N Roll bar. Suddenly, a chill begins to creep in, taking the people’s place. A few minutes pass and and I’ve managed to introduce myself to one of my favorite local photographers. To pass the time, we chat about the frustrations that come along with being a “photographer” like, taking credit for work and originality. My friend came prepared with his canon camera, well equipped for the dim setting that this particular bar always had. Me? well, I wasn’t even planning on showing up tonight! I wasn’t planning on photographing anything tonight really.
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It’s almost 1am, and I finally see a familiar face, Alex. He was the drummer for this band called The Hurricanes, which I had only seen once. At first, he didn't recognize me..until I mention his lovely girlfriend (which I had recently gotten the pleasure of photographing). Alex gives me a great big smile and acknowledges how beautiful his girlfriend came out in those images. His attention is soon obstructed by the a lonely drum kit sitting on the main stage, “Damn, I think we’re all sharing that drum set”. He excuses himself from me and begins to set up his symbols. I didn’t realize how packed the bar had gotten until I was pushing my way through some sweaty bodies. “Roach! Roach! Roach!” I start hearing, I see a striped turtle neck accompanied by a slightly worn leather jacket emerge from the crowd of hands reaching over to greet him. This “Roach” says hello to everyone, obviously familiar with the new faces that have once again filled Diego’s.
My new photographer friend and I converse some more. As the boys finally begin to set up on stage, my friend asks me if I've ever seen these guys play? I have, only once though...and I knew they were special. He goes on to say that he’s photographed them four times already. Honestly, I was a little envious because I felt like I had missed out on some major performances, one being Nathan Alfaro’s memorial show (which I heard was HUGE). The lights finally went bright, Roach and the rest of his band greet their guests in spanish, “Como estan pinches cabrones!” |
The crowd feeds off of his words and replies back with some cheerful screams and claps. He continues, “Happy Cinco de Mayo cabrones, vamos a chupar! Nosotros somos de aqui, Santa Ana!” The excitement fills the room, it almost feels like the place is going to burst. The guys begin their set with a wordless song that seems to drive everyone MAD. They play ferociously for the bodies in the crowd that begin to shuffle, dance and push around the small bar. |
It wasn’t until months later that I realized that the song they opened up with that night was called “Hang On” by a famous musician named “Link Wray”. The song suites them well, they're basically telling everyone to literally “Hang On” because it’s going to be one HELL of a ride with The Hurricanes. I was blown away at the fact that they sounded completely different then all the other bands I’ve been hearing. I had almost given up on rock n’ roll because everything that was “in” consisted of synthesizers and autotune, or just a bunch of screaming kids with long hair and weird clothes. When these guys stepped on, I got a taste of RnB, soul, 60’s garage, and of course, my beloved ROCK n’ ROLL. It took me one drunken night, to finally become friends with my fellow “Santaneros” and I’ve been blessed ever since. Little do these guys know that they’ve helped contribute to the longevity of my life. I try not to talk about it often, but after numerous suicide attempts, sleepless night and chronic depression, The Hurricanes have managed to teach me that I was not alone. I wasn’t there to see them through their dark times, but I’ve heard all about it. They’ve shared many personal stories through their music and only wish to continue making the world a better place by sharing their sound. The boys love their people, they hope to show everyone that overcoming tough obstacles is possible. They want to cherish every moment they get meeting their fans, and for that, the people love them back.
Getting to know each of the guys as individuals has been quite a gift. They're both humble enough and hungry to show the world who they are and what they have to offer. The boys have managed to gain some success in their home, Santa Ana. Slowly, their name is making its way to Mexico, Japan and even some parts of Europe! Pretty soon the guys will be taking over the world with their electric sound. The real question is, is the world ready for the Hurricanes? Some Bass strings may come loose, the Farfisa may stop working, and their guitar might get stolen, but nothing can stop The Hurricanes.
You better “Hang on” world.
Getting to know each of the guys as individuals has been quite a gift. They're both humble enough and hungry to show the world who they are and what they have to offer. The boys have managed to gain some success in their home, Santa Ana. Slowly, their name is making its way to Mexico, Japan and even some parts of Europe! Pretty soon the guys will be taking over the world with their electric sound. The real question is, is the world ready for the Hurricanes? Some Bass strings may come loose, the Farfisa may stop working, and their guitar might get stolen, but nothing can stop The Hurricanes.
You better “Hang on” world.