Five years later... FENIX*TX returns with LECHUZA,
the band's first new recording in half a decade. By
dictionary definition, LECHUZA is simply Spanish
for "owl," and FENIX*TX is simply a Houston-born
rock quartet. But such simple definitions never tell
the whole truth.
For instance, LECHUZA is much more than just an
owl. It's the legend of a half-witch, half-owl, all evil
creature that searches the night for children.
According to legend, if a child hears a whistle in the
dark, and has the nerve to whistle back, this
Tex-Mex boogey man swoops down from the sky
and the child mysteriously vanishes, never to
whistle again... And FENIX*TX is more than just a
band -- they are a half-Hispanic, half-Caucasian all evil force incarnate - who also search the night
for children. More importantly, LECHUZA is the title of their long-awaited sophomore release.
The spotlight found FENIX*TX shortly after their 1998 self titled MCA debut. While the album had
been previously released in '97 under the name RIVERFENIX on the indie label Drive Thru Records,
increased distribution and more non-stop touring soon drove the album to hit status. Singles
"Speechless" and "All My Fault" fueled by mass requests, found their way into heavy rotation on
radio stations all over the country (and by now to distant solar systems). "All My Fault" also found
it's way into the hearts of MTV viewers, with a video in rotation and prominent placement on the
soundtrack for MTV's original movie "Jailbait" - watch closely and you may even see a band
member or two grace the screen. Soon after, FENIX*TX climbed the Billboard Top 200 and Billboard
Heatseekers charts and earned the adoration of thousands of fans and numerous stalkers around
the world.
Not a band to rest on it's laurels, or to rely on fickle radio and TV audiences, FENIX*TX took to the
road again for most of '99 and '00, playing as many shows as humanly possible in an effort to reach
as many humans as musically possible. In a short amount of time, FENIX*TX managed to squeeze
in a jaunt to jolly ol' England, dates throughout Europe, a featured slot on the blink-182/Bad
Religion Summer '00 tour, and a headlining tour of their own in the fall of '00, as well as other dates
too numerous to mention.
With LECHUZA, the band has returned this time with a harder-hitting, heavier sound that is sure to
surprise anyone who thought they had the band pegged. Tracks like "Threesome" and
"Abbazabba," already live show favorites, vault the band past their earlier pop-punk acclaim into the
arena of true rock and roll glory. Still, anyone who loved the band's trademark glibness need not
fear. Tracks like "Phoebe Cates," an ode to the goddess of Fast Times at Ridgemont High will
definitely please long-time fans who love the band's sense of bawdy humor (or else just make Ms.
Cates angry enough to threaten a lawsuit).
"Every band is doing almost the same exact thing as every other band these days, I think our
whole goal is every time we put something out, it's going to be different from what we did before, It's
just more interesting that way," explains Damon Delapaz.
This time around, the band itself has undergone some changes, with former guitarist Damon
moving from the front line to a position on drums (don't worry, Damon has years of experience on
the kit and recently filled in for blink-182 drummer Travis Barker when the latter suffered an injury
mid-tour). Replacing Damon on guitar is James Love.
James also from Houston, TX, earned his "wings" touring with them as their guitar tech. He is a
graduate of the Roberto-Venn School of Luthiery, and is capable of building his own guitars. James,
a huge fan of Slash and Ben Weinman, is known for producing heart-stopping, hair band worthy,
over-the-top guitar solos that would make Yngwie Malmsteen leave the room in tears... should the
need arise.
Rounding out the band are stalwart original members vocalist/guitarist Willie Salazar and bassist
Adam Lewis (who lends his vocal stylings to the record, for the first time, as well).
Whatever the formula behind the music, FENIX*TX are undeniably more than what appears on the
surface.
The question is, if you find yourself some night walking alone along a dark, deserted street, with
nothing to keep you company but the FENIX*TX song you have stuck in your head - will you have
you courage enough to brave the horror that may come your way if you dare to whistle along....?
