By Noe Gutierrez
If any band is the ultimate contradiction of its name, it’s House of Broken Promises. The rock power trio out of Indio, CA has navigated its way on the back of one original album, Using the Useless (Small Stone Records 2009) and has claimed title to their own brand of desert rock that guarantees gratification at each live show. With Arthur Seay (guitar & vocals), Mike Cancino (drums & vocals) and Joe Mora (bass & lead vocals), HOBP has waved the desert rock flag around the world and are preparing to hit the stage with new music. HOBP will be performing on night one of the Desert Music Showcase at Schmidy’s Tavern in Palm Desert, CA. The two-night spectacle features eight artists from the Coachella Valley and Hi-Desert in a format that further propels desert music into the global spotlight. Night one will be held Friday, 8/21 and will also include Remnants of Man, In The Name Of the Dead and Bridger. Night two is Saturday 8/22 and features Machin’, Giselle Woo & the Night Owls, Courtney Chambers and Caxton. Both shows begin at 8 p.m. and entry fee is $5 with 100% of door going to the artists.
The name “House of Broken Promises” comes from the struggle Seay & Cancino endured with their band Unida. “Mike and I were talking about all the label bullshit we went through with Unida and he said, “Yeah a real house of broken promises,” and I said, “there ya go that’s the name of our new band!” Out of all the negativity came pure positivity and musical freedom.” In 2009 they released the album Using the Useless with then bassist and vocalist Eddie Plascencia. Their debut album is a ter-RIFF-ic mix of stoner rock and metal. “I still dig it and am very proud of it. I built my studio and bought a Pro Tools book and went for it. We made it happen with little to nothing,” Seay shared. Cancino feels the same, “The Useless record still rocks for me. I’m very proud of it.”
Former HDR vocalist and guitarist Mora entered the fray in 2011 and propelled the band with his gritty vocal style and bass playing swagger. “I would say my vocals are a “happy hour priced cocktail” of Chris Cornell, John Fogerty and of course, John Garcia. Those are my three favorite vocalists. I learned how to sing by singing along to their records,” Mora admits. Seay affirms, “Joe is a great guy and a very talented player. When we first started jamming together it felt right and over time we have definitely found our groove in all aspects.” Cancino concurs, “Our chemistry is awesome. Joe made a killer transition to bass.”
Cancino and Seay have a meaningful history of being in bands together. “Mike and I have been playing together since we were in high school, so we have that Jedi shit down with each other and a certain style of how we play and write,” Seay shared. Mora is fully cognizant of their history which enables him to navigate and differentiate the friend/band mate relationships. “Arthur and Mike have known each other since elementary school, so at times I feel I am a Dr. Phil for them. Arthur and I come from different schools of thought. So at times we disagree, but in the end we both want what’s best for the band. Everyone is open to new ideas. Every riff gets a chance. Arthur usually comes up with the first riff then Mike and I come up with parts of our own.” This camaraderie and mutual respect is big as life during their live shows.
HOBP released a live album last year, HOBP Live in London Deserfest 2013. Seay recalls, “We flew into London from playing Desertfest Germany in Berlin the night before and drove straight to the venue, ran in, threw our luggage down and set up and played, no joke. I think our set time was 4pm and we walked in at 3:55.” The album is unmistakable HOBP and is intended to be heard at a high volume. “The recording is nice and raw. Harper Hug recorded it and Mark Armentrout mixed it.”
HOBP are currently in production of a new album. It is being produced at Seay’s Bittersand Recording Studio in Indio, CA. “The new record is sounding HUGE! I’m a total gear nerd so I spent all my money and upgraded the studio buying gear. It’s never ending,” Seay admits. The release date for the new material is early to mid 2016. “It’s a slow process. I travel for work so when I’m gone everything stops. I will be completing all the engineering and producing of the record.” Cancino is excited about the prospect at releasing new music. “The new shit is killer. We worked so fuckin’ hard on it. Playing it is the best. It totally rocks!” Mora adds his take on the new music, “I tried to bring a lot more major melodies to the table to add to Arthur’s killer minor blues riffs. It’s a nice contrast. The new record has elements of stoner rock, old school metal and hard rock.”
Both Seay and Mora remain closely associated with the music industry. “Joe and I both travel for work as back-line technicians. I’ve worked for Slipknot, Limp Bizkit, Five Finger Death Punch and currently Godsmack. I tech for Sully Erna and Joe works for Tre Songz so when we are home we gotta hit it hard before we have to leave for months on end. All tracking will be done by the time I leave for tour in September and back by the end of November and then start mixing. I’m very thankful that I have a job in this day and age and one that is in the music industry where I can travel the world and get paid for it. I can’t complain but it’s a double-edged sword. I get paid to travel the world but then you’re gone and your life stops till ya get back ya know?”
HOBP fans will be glad to hear that Seay and company plan to perform live more often once their work duties are fulfilled. “HOBP will continue to work hard and get to a point of touring extensively in support of our new release.”
On the Unida front, Seay, Cancino and front man John Garcia (Vista Chino) have exciting news coming related to their never released album that was originally scheduled for release in 2001. For the Working Man aka The Great Divide, was the album recorded under Rick Rubin’s American Recordings and was subsequently set aside after Rubin’s departure.
Soul Sign is tracking a new record for a hopeful 2016 release. SS consists of Cancino on drums and vocals, Bjorn Englen (Y. Malsteen) on bass and vocals, Mark Boals (Y. Malmsteen) on lead vocals and Jan Mengeling (Coma Star) on guitar and vocals. Mora continues to work with Gregory White in the duo alternative-dirty-electro-rock outfit Street Drugs DTLA.
Upcoming shows:
Fri. 8/21 – Desert Music Showcase – Schmidy’s Tavern – Palm Desert, CA 10 pm $5
Sat. 8/23 – Loaded Hollywood – Hollywood, CA 4 pm FREE
(Photos By Chris Miller/Imagine Imagery)
