OCHO-X was formed in April, 1994. The original members included myself on guitar, Mark Sotelo keyboards, Gil Brebes on congas, Todd and Scott Beopple on guitar and bass, Michael Bell on congas/percussion/vocals. Michael Kishaba joined us shortly thereafter on drums.
Later, the Beopple brothers were replaced by Gil Brebes, switching to guitar/vocals and Oscar Del Pinal, an accomplished classically trained musician on bass. Michael Kishaba was replaced by Justin Smith on drums. Michael Bell went on to establish his own band.
During this period, I was fortunate enough to meet John "Bunk" Gardner, the world famous sax player from Frank Zappa's band the Mothers of Invention . I invited Bunk to a rehearsal. He joined the band and gigged with us for about a year.
The band continued to evolve when Pete Burke (Sierra Madre's favorite son and an impeccable musician) replaced Justin Smith on drums.
OCHO-X performs for civic festivals, art openings, public schools, universities, nightclubs, weddings and private parties. We even did a show for the Elk's Club in Palmdale.
OCHO-X performs it's own original compositions and is purported by pedestrians to sound like SANTANA crossed with PINK FLOYD with a little CREAM, Funk, and of course, ZAPPA .
Lonnie Sotelo - April 2006
