Saturday, June 4th at The Hood Bar and Pizza
Celebrate with Icons of Desert Rock
By Esther Sanchez
Anyone involved in music knows how challenging it can be to form a band and keep it together for any length of time. Conflicting schedules, priorities, visions and personalities are just a few of the reasons why the lifespan of the average band is usually very brief. It takes deeply rooted passion, motivation and commitment to press through the continuous challenges that arise and frankly, if you are not doing it for the pure love of making music, burnout is inevitable.
2016 CVMA winners for “Best Rock Band” Blasting Echo defied the odds and have long since cemented their place as one of the most respected and beloved bands on the scene. There is no doubt that much of Blasting Echo’s popularity and longevity stems from the unwavering heart and soul of one of the most humble artists I have ever had the pleasure of knowing, B.E. frontman and founder, Josh Heinz. In addition to being a stellar vocalist, songwriter, bandleader and guitarist, the Memphis, TN native is known for generously donating countless hours of his time and skills for many fundraisers including the organization and execution of annual shows benefitting the Coachella Valley Autism Society….. a charity that is dear to the band due to the fact that 3 of the 4 band-members have children on the Autism spectrum.
I asked Josh to tell me the basic story of Blasting Echo and how they got to this point.
Josh Heinz: “After moving out here from Memphis I was in a band called Dufreign for a while that didn’t end up working out, but I had these demos and I had a co-worker named Jeff Fortson who had been a part of the music scene out here since back in the generator party days and we decided to collaborate and set out to find a drummer. Armando Flores who was a bass player in several good bands over the years had a studio and we asked if we could use it to audition drummers. After we tried out a couple of drummers, Mando mentioned to us that he dabbled in drumming and asked if he could try out.
Armando Flores: “Playing in Blasting Echo was my first foray into being a multi-instrumentalist in a band setting. Always dabbled in the drums, but never took it seriously enough to play in a band. Playing with Josh and Linda and Joe has been super fulfilling. Josh is one of the most passionate people I know when it comes to music and it shows in everything he does. Other than having to run through bass players like dirty underwear, it has been an amazing time.”
Josh Heinz: “We had always talked about adding keyboards and eventually I met Linda who also sings backup of course.”
I am quite sure Heinz would be the first to say that none of what he does would be possible if it were not for the support of his wife and bandmate, Linda Lemke-Heinz. As lovely as she is talented, Linda is a busy mom, music instructor and co-founder of the ridiculously awesome new band, 5th Town. As someone who has been in bands, I know how rare it is for 2 people to be both in a romantic partnership and a band together without it causing strife from time to time so I couldn’t help but ask Linda to touch on the subject.
Linda Lemke-Heinz: “It’s great being in a band with my husband. We collaborate very well together. I hear things he doesn’t in a song and vice versa. We really don’t have to deal with egos or hurt feelings because we both want the same thing…to make the songs the best they can be. It’s like that collaborating with Mando and Joe, too. No egos. It’s a very creatively free and supportive environment. I feel very lucky to be a part of it.”
Linda continues: “We are not stuck in a rut or particular mold musically. We each add a bit of ourselves and our past experiences to the music. Blasting Echo is unique. And we sure do have a hell of a good time together.”
The newest addition to the group is Long Duk Dong bassist, Joe Dub Wallace. Wallace: “I knew Josh, Armando and Linda from around the music scene but we never really hung out. When they hit me up and asked if I would be interested in playing with Blasting Echo I was totally stoked! I thought, ‘Here’s this established LEGENDARY group with great songs asking if I’d like to fill the bass position in their awesome band!’ It was a no brainer! They are not only great musicians but they are a ridiculously playful bunch. Josh is a very rare type of person. He’s so passionate about the band and the music he writes. I’m always blown away by his lyrics, his songs are ANTHEMS! Linda and Mando are always adding that extra bit of complexity or X factor to Josh’s songs.”
Come check out Blasting Echo who will be joined by local faves, Throw the Goat and The Sweat Act this Saturday, June 4th at The Hood Bar and Pizza to drop their newest CD “Uso-Tsuki Mendax.”
