Los Coronados re-energized

Guys in a local band have pretty much grown up making music and a few admit they're "getting a bit older now." But instead of just sitting back and taking it easy, members of Los Coronados are cranking up the volume and launching a whole new chapter of music.

Robert Hurtado, who co-founded the band back in 1969, says the band's recent release of a new CD has truly sent an electric charge through the players - and their fans.

"It just feels great. It feels like we're re-energized again. It gives you a whole new aspect of hope having new material out there. Plus we've always had a great following and we're trying to get that following back. That's why we created this last album, so we can wake the people up."

The fans are liking what they're hearing, too.

Los Coronados had been playing three to four times every six months, but Hurtado says he can see the band playing a gig every weekend very soon.

But this new CD isn't just a new project, it's also a pretty meaningful gesture toward all the fans, whether they've supported Los Coronados all these years or they've just discovered the guys and their music.

"The name of the album is 'Para Usted.' This album is for you," Hurtado said. "We just want to give back to this community, which has given us so much over the years."

Fans will have to wait a bit to hear that thank you in person, though. Although the band is currently playing a hectic lineup of quinceaneras, anniversary parties and weddings, they won't have a public concert until May 23. That's when Los Coronados are slated to play at Casa de Gloria.

The band can be booked by calling Jose at 503-1803.

Hurtado said people who hear the band's music are in for a treat, not only because they're talented players, but because their sounds speaks so much of their long experience on the stage.

"The original version of the band got going back in 1969 when we were just kids!"

Today the five band members are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. Back then the original members were still attending Yuma High School.

The band's original name was Treat, then the boys changed it to North Wind.

"In the beginning we played American music," Hurtado said, listing off the Beatles and Rolling Stones as idols then. But he quickly added with a chuckle: "We realized we could make more money playing Mexican music."

Hurtado is the only founding member still playing with Los Coronados. Jose Sanchez and Juan Armenta joined in 1974, which itself is quite awhile ago.

"I consider them both originals," Hurtado said.

Today the band also boasts the talents of Eddie Urias and Lupe Carbajal.

Except for its very start, the band has played Mexican music, but don't expect just one musical genre or scene from Los Coronados. There's a great variety of sounds involved with Mexican music, and instead of choosing a single style, the band enjoys mixing and matching all the best.

Hurtado explained that in the beginning, half of the guys were more Tex-Mex and others were more authentic south of the border. So they blended the two sounds and play by that formula today.

The band's musical influences range from Little Joe and Ramon Ayala to Los Humildes.

The guys also write some of their very own music.

"Para Usted" marks the band's fourth recording. The first was released in 1977 through a major recording company in Guadalajara, Mexico. To record the songs, the band spent time in studios located in Guadalajara and Tijuana. Their last recording came out in 1991.

In addition to being hired for a lot of family celebrations, Los Coronados have been playing a lot at fundraisers benefiting local Catholic churches.

Over the band's many years, there have been a few lulls in activity, none ever lasting quite a year, but the band always keeps going - and going. Hurtado explains that's because music is just too dear to their hearts, plus they're having too much fun to stop.

"It's just the love of the music," Hurtado said with satisfaction.

"We've been making music for so many years, it just becomes a part of you."