Chon (band)

Chon (sometimes stylized as CHON) is an American progressive rock and math rock band from Oceanside, California. Their music is largely instrumental with only a few songs containing vocal performances. The band consists of Mario Camarena (guitar), Erick Hansel (guitar), Esiah Camarena (bass) and Nathan Camarena (drums).

Chon
Erick Hansel performing with Chon at The Observatory North Park
Erick Hansel performing with Chon at The Observatory North Park
Background information
OriginOceanside, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2008–2022 (hiatus)
LabelsSumerian
Members
  • Mario Camarena
  • Erick Hansel
  • Nathan Camarena
  • Esiah Camarena
Past members
  • Drew Pelisek
Websitehttps://chonofficial.bandcamp.com/

History

Early career

In 2008, they began releasing demos via the internet. In 2010, the band began a brief hiatus, but reunited in 2011 to record two new songs, "O.G." and "Breathe". They returned in 2013 with the release of their debut EP entitled Newborn Sun.[1] In 2014, Chon released their second EP, entitled Woohoo! and embarked on two consecutive nationwide tours with Animals as Leaders.

Debut and departure of Pelisek

In December 2014, Chon signed with the record label Sumerian Records, and announced they would be releasing their debut full-length album the following year.[2] On February 5, 2015, the band announced their debut full length titled Grow would be released in March 2015.[3] On March 5, the band premiered their song Can't Wait from the album via Red Bull. They released the album on March 24. Eight days prior the band embarked on a 27 date tour supporting Circa Survive.[4][5] On December 16, 2015, Chon announced their first full US headlining tour, titled the Super Chon Bros Tour, with accompanying bands Polyphia and Strawberry Girls. They sold out every single show on the tour.[6] Chon was also an opening band during the Sonic Unrest Tour, featuring headliner Periphery, and bands Sikth and Toothgrinder.

On November 8, 2015, Chon stated via their Twitter feed that they parted ways with Drew Pelisek due to 'artistic differences'.[7] It was also confirmed by Drew on a personal account.[8]

Second album and onward

They recorded their second album Homey with Anthony Crawford on bass. Since Pelisek's departure, Chon has had 3 touring bassists, including original bassist Esiah Camarena, who played bass during the Journey's Unplugged tour. Esiah returned as a full-time member of the band following his attendance on the Robot With Human Hair Vs. Chonzilla tour with Dance Gavin Dance.

In April 2019, Chon performed on the Mojave Stage at Coachella (festival). Kenny G appeared as a special guest for their set.[9]

On June 7, 2019, Chon released their third full-length self-titled album, under Sumerian Records.

On May 16, 2022, Mario and Erick announced that the band was going on hiatus via their Discord server. [10] [11]

Equipment

Chon endorses Ibanez guitars and Overdrive Straps guitar straps. Guitarist Mario Camarena currently plays his signature Ibanez guitar, the MAR10, which is based on an Ibanez AZ series prototype in pink with a white pickguard. Earlier, he used the pink prototype in addition to a white Ibanez AZ prototype that went on to become a regular AZ Prestige model, as well as an Ibanez RG652fx with a custom floral print (including a black version of Yoshi, which Mario uses as his main character in the video game Super Smash Bros.), and an Ibanez S5521Q. He could also often be seen playing a custom Ibanez RG created by Seth Hollander.[12]

Before Chon's "Homey" album, Mario used a Vox AC30 tube amplifier and a Fender Super Sonic but has now switched to a Matchless amplifier. Erick Hansel primarily plays his signature Ibanez guitar, the EH10, which is based on the Ibanez AZ series. Earlier, he used a dark blue Ibanez AZ prototype, an RG652FX with a custom paint dip, an RG321MH (on early albums and performances), and an Ibanez Talman Prestige. Recently, Erick has been seen with either a Vox AC30 or a Matchless amplifier. Chon's early work was known to largely shun the use of effects pedals, but the band has since started experimenting heavily with pedals during the writing process for Homey.[13][14]

    Chon also endorses Tama drums and meinl cymbals. Drummer Nathan Camarena currently plays Tama drums with a standard set:
    -Tama 20 " kick
    -Tama 14" SLP Maple Shell Tama snaredrum
    -Tama 10", 12", 14" drum's toms
    He currently plays Bysance Meinl Cymbals (AudioTreeLive & MeinlCymbals videos) :
    - 14” Byzance Traditional Medium Hihats
    - 18” Byzance Traditional Medium Crash
    - 21” Byzance Traditional Medium Ride
    - 18” Byzance Vintage Crash (Sand Thin Crash)

Musical style and influences

In the early days the band were influenced by metal bands such as Necrophagist and post-hardcore band The Fall of Troy, but the band have also listed pianists such as Hiromi Uehara, Tigran Hamasyan, and Alex Argento as influences in their sound. Chon's music was noted for its use of complex harmony with heavy emphasis on extended chords, as well as the odd time signatures and polyrhythms typical of the progressive rock genre. Their second album, Homey, saw the band incorporating elements of trip-hop and electronic music, which can be heard in tracks such as 'Nayhoo.'

Band members
  • Erick Hansel – guitars (2008–present), vocals (2016–present)
  • Mario Camarena – guitars (2008–present)
  • Nathan Camarena – drums (2008–present)
  • Esiah Camarena – bass (2008–2010, 2016–present)

Former members

  • Drew Pelisek – bass, vocals (2012–2016)
  • Garrick Arden - trombone (2010-2014)

Touring members

  • Brandon Ewing – bass (2016, Super Chon Bros Tour)
  • Summer Swee-Singh – keys, string conductor, vocals (2018, Holiday Tour)[15]

Studio members

  • Anthony Crawford – bass guitar (2017–present)
  • Brian Evans – drums (2015-present)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums
  • Grow (2015, Sumerian Records)
  • Homey (2017, Sumerian Records)
  • Chon (2019, Sumerian Records)

EPs
  • Newborn Sun (2013, self-released)
  • Woohoo! (2014, self-released)

Demos
  • Chon (2008, self-released)

Singles
  • "Story" (2015, Sumerian Records)
  • "Splash" (2015, Sumerian Records)
  • "Sleepy Tea" (2017, Sumerian Records)
  • "Waterslide" (2017, Sumerian Records)
  • "Nayhoo" (featuring Masego & Lophiile) (2017, Sumerian Records)
  • "Peace" (2019, Sumerian Records)
  • "Petal" (2019, Sumerian Records)
  • "Pitch Dark" (2019, Sumerian Records)

References
  1. Lion, Brian. "EP STREAM: CHON – 'Newborn Sun'". Under The Gun Review. Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  2. Sharp, Tyler (16 December 2014). "CHON sign with Sumerian Records". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 25 December 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  3. Sharp, Tyler (6 February 2015). "CHON announce debut full-length album, 'Grow'". Alternative Press. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  4. Sharp, Elliott. "CHON: 'Can't Wait' Song Premiere". Red Bull. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  5. Sharp, Tyler (20 January 2015). "Circa Survive announce headlining tour with Balance And Composure, CHON". Alternative Press. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  6. "CHON on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-01-03.
  7. "CHON on Twitter: "We've parted ways w/ our bassist the Other Guys. He is / will always be the homie and we wish him the best!"". Twitter. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  8. "Instagram". Instagram. 2015-11-08. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  9. https://metalinjection.net/av/sax-legend-kenny-g-joins-chon-on-stage-at-coachella
  10. "Discord - A New Way to Chat with Friends & Communities".
  11. "Discord - A New Way to Chat with Friends & Communities".
  12. Camarena, Mario. "PokeCenter theme tapped on guitar". Youtube. Retrieved 14 June 2020. In YouTube video description.
  13. "CHON Reddit AMA". Reddit. 22 March 2014. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
  14. "CHON Reddit AMA 2". Reddit. 30 April 2015. Retrieved 2016-12-03.
  15. https://berkeleybside.com/super-chon-homeys-talking-music-and-videogames-with-chon-before-their-show/
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