A Beautiful Mourning

Who are all the members of your band, and what do they play?

Adrian Tellez-lead vocals/guitar
Adam Avenue-guitar/vocals
D Arrellano-Bass Guitar
Gonzo-Drums

When did the band get together, and how?

A Beautiful Mourning formed in the summer of 2009.

Adrian and Adam were coming off a project called Destroyed Days and decided to start a new band with a new musical direction. Original founding members of the band included Jonathan Wilson and Drew Tellez who ultimately moved in other directions and are still very good friends of the band. D Arrellano was on a long musical haitus from his previous band Aisling before joining the band. Writing and recording sessions began and shortly after that guitarist Jon and drummer Drew left the band at which point Adrian began pulling double duty doing lead vocals and rhythm guitar to fill the second guitar spot. Gonzo came highly recommended by D and had previously played in the band Estep and some other projects before ultimately becoming full time drums for ABM.

How would you describe your music to someone?

Our music is really created out of moments of random creative collaboration. Our best songs are written on the spot without any real planning ahead. We are all products of the grunge,alternative, and nu-metal era and most of us came into the music scene at the peak of that. However we all listen to a variety of of music, anything from underground hip hop to country to straight metal to oldies, and we all respect each individual genre for what it brings to music. At any time you may hear elements of various types of music in our set, with a strong rock basis of course, because we have all found that rock is what moves us the most when it comes to writing and performing.

Who are some of the bands that influence your music?

Each one of us individually has a handful of musicians that have had a deep influence on what we sound like.

Adrian: Metallica,Soundgarden,Nirvana,Alice in Chains(Layne era), Stabbing Westward, Strata, Dredg, Pearl Jam, Ultraspank
Adam:Strata, Dredg, Buckethead,Ozomatli, Morrisey
D : Red Hot Chili Peppers,Smashing Pumpkins,Esthero,Poison the Well,Radiohead, George Strait, DJ Shadow
Gonzo: Deftones,Glassjaw,Morissey

What is your most memorable gig so far?

That is a hard one to answer, every gig no matter how many times you've played has its own personality. We played some of El Paso's big events which are definitely note worthy, which are The Texas Tattoo Showdown, which we are playing again this year for 2012, The Downtown Street Festival was great and very fulfilling because we got voted on to play. But also there are some venues that feel like home to us like playing at Bombardiers, its such a cool spot almost like playing the set of "Cheers" back in the day. The House of Rock shows are always great. We are always looking to add to the memories and this summer we are headed out to Phoenix, Houston and also plans for Dallas and Austin this summer so Im sure the best is yet to come!

Are you currently signed to any kind of label or management?

We have remained independant up to this point,and although there has been some interest expressed in the band we at this point have maintained independant status in order to maintain a sense of control while we find our true place in music. We do however have alot of support from various promoters, websites,people in radio, and talented people in the film industry, which we are so grateful to have in our corner because they are the ones who help push our name out there, and without a huge budget for promoting they are all an integral part of our exposure. If the day comes where the right fit and opportunity comes our way we are definitely open to possibilities after all who wouldnt want the true opportunity to do what you love and actually make a living doing it!

What other bands have your members been/are in?

Adrian has been in: Plastick Seven,The Defined, ...This Life, A White Light Experience, Destroyed Days, and currently A Beautiful Mourning
Adam has been in: Beauty Through Noise, ...This Life, Destroyed Days, A White Light Experience, currently A Beautiful Mourning
D has been in" Fhexed,Swim, Supersoul, Aisling, currently A Beautiful Mourning
Gonzo has been in: Estep, Bellature, currently A Beautiful Mourning

What other local bands would you recommend people check out?

Well us of course!! Theres alot of great music in El Paso, we'll name a few that we have become good friends with and know personally because if we name them all it'll take all night! Asthma, Sick Substance, Ivory Structure, Koma, Alodex, Sweetest Downfall, Hillside Gamblers, Voyeur.

Many others just to many to list!