By Joni Wright
Insecure Alex is a completely original and funky five piece band out of Glendora, California scheduled to perform at this year’s Rhythm Wine and Brews Experience. The group consists of five talented artists and was forged in 2015. Insecure Alex features Mark Vasquez on vocals; Alex Endonino on guitar and vocals; Scott Holmes on bass; Francis Galluppi on drums; and Brett Wood on keys/vocals. Fairly new to the scene as a band but not as individual players, they are inspired by a litany of music genres and have been heavily influenced by the melting pot that is Los Angeles – so their rich style is of no surprise.
The product of these musicians playing together is the perfect melange of hip-hop, funk, soul and alternative rock. The band has released two singles, “Changes” and “Tanzanite Sky (California)” both of which are soulful, deep, and rhythmic and personally, made me want to dance. To discover this band now would be to find a diamond in the rough, and they are excited about performing for the desert’s locals and visitors.
I had the honor of speaking with drummer, Francis Galluppi, about what they have currently going on, what they are doing to put themselves out there, how they are feeling about the upcoming show, and how they feel about sharing the stage with 311, Matisyahu, and the other So-Cal bands for the Rhythm, Wine & Brews Experience.
CVW: Is Alex insecure? Where did the band name come from?
Galluppi: “Haha, Alex is insecure! We were basically trying to come up with band names and Alex kept coming up with really bad ones. Eventually he just stopped trying to come up with them and Mark called him “Insecure Alex” I guess it just stuck after that. Usually we tell people different things. We try to have fun with it.”
CVW: How stoked are you guys to share the stage with the line-up at RWB Experience?
Galluppi: “We’re pumped, super-excited. We’re getting our set-list down and lots of rest.”
CVW: Who else have you played with? Is this your first big show?
Galluppi: “We haven’t played too many shows. We got lucky with this! We will be throwing it back – Motown/Beach Boys/funk/Brian Wilson – old classic sounds, you know? We have shared the stage with a band called Unwritten Law.”
CVW: In this flooded market, what is Insecure Alex doing to be heard?
Galluppi: “It’s our mentality, our work ethic. We just want to play music, we don’t give a shit about making a next big hit, and we work our asses off. We are just playing music, writing what we feel and doing what we want to do. Everything for the upcoming show has been DYI. We have been working hard to get ready for it.”
CVW: How did all five of you come together as a band?
Galluppi: “That is a long story. Me and Scott, the bass player, went to high-school together. In short, we all came from different bands and when that fell apart, we came together.”
For more information on Insecure Alex check them out on Face book or go to insecurealex.bandcamp.com.
