Astra Heights

By Kantreal Daniels
The end of summer came too soon, and Los Angeles experienced one of the greatest heat waves ever with temperatures soaring above 100. But before we said goodbye to staying up late on weeknights and going on awesome vacations, the Summer Strummer Festival, consisting of 40 bands and numerous vendors, helped bring the season to a close.
Though a copious amount of performers jammed throughout the festival in the blistering heat, there was one band on the roster that stood out, Astra Heights.
Brothers Mark, James, Joshua and Timothy Morales have been rockin' for seven years and counting. And their latest addition to the group, Bernard Yin (who is not related by blood to the rest of the band members though no less of a dynamic addition) helps amplify the band's amazing harmonies. "We all wanted to work together because all of us brothers are really close," they agree. "But we didn't know how."
Though at first they were in limbo about what they should do as a family, they eventually decided on creating a band.
One would think with a band consisting of brothers, minus one, there would be sibling rivalry perhaps, but this band is not like most. No, this is not a Jackson 5 replica or another Partridge Family. This is Astra Heights. "To do something you truly love with the people you love" - they can't express their feelings towards each other and their music stronger. After Mark, James & Joshua came back from college, they recruited their little brother, Timothy, and began to put their musical talents to use. "We just started playing Beatle covers," the brothers explain. "Then once we learned a few songs, it kind of snowballed."
They now play in different venues around the United States. Originally from Texas, they moved to Los Angeles in hopes of making it big.
Those of us who live in Los Angeles know there are a lot of bands, and many of them sound alike. But Astra Heights is in its own realm. It's something fresh and new that rock 'n' roll hasn't heard in a while.
"It's not based on a lot of music nowadays, which is based on the super guitar heavy distortion, blowin' your mind out so by the end of the set you're deaf," they point out. The fact that they can actually harmonize their voices without the heavy guitar riffs smothering their vocals makes them even more awe-inspiring.
Their song "The March" is reminiscent of feel-good-music during the days of the Rolling Stones, the Who and even the band whose music they used to practice to, the Beatles. It's catchy, it makes you want to dance and best of all, it's different.
At the end of the day, these brothers are just having fun and reaping the reward of blending family and finance.
"It's fun to be in a band of brothers. Whether or not we are in a band, we always are going to love each other, and we are here for each other." - Campus Circle - Sept 2007

Sept. 9, 2008
By: Michael Mercer

Every once in a while I find a band that reminds me why I got into this business in the first place: The love of music and the thrill of new discovery. Whether it’s the unique tonality and emotive power of a vocal that grabs me, a distinctive chord progression, or the overall feeling that a newly found band invokes, I am always thrilled at the prospect of embarking on a new listening experience. Fortunately there were three bands at the Circo Rocktastica/MTV’s Rock the Vote events in Berkeley last weekend that not only rocked the stage but re-instilled our faith in live music (both me and my wife, whom I consistently refer to as the Queen of A&R).

Those bands were Astra Heights, Monte Negro and The May Fire. Being captivated throughout the entirety of a three-band, three-set performance is a true rarity these days. These groups were magnetic, musically tight and even managed to engage the audience, AND you can see them tomorrow night in Oakland. (More on that here).

The evening began at Rasputins at five o’clock, where all three bands had a mere three-song set. This event served as a sort of musical teaser/promotional gig. The crowd however, was an interesting mix of exuberant, pierced-power-post-punk youths, peppered with a few elder music devotees (seen there as mid 20s to mid 30s, domesticated but still dedicated concert goers). The music gave way to lines for autographs, photos and hugs for the smiling, cheek-to-cheek giggling teeny-boppers. The event migrated to Betty’s in Walnut Creek for an eight o’clock show and full hour sets for all the bands.

The stand out performances belonged to Astra Heights and Monte Negro. Both bands sounded bigger than the venue, and their onstage presence was electrifying...

The collective energy of Astra Heights simply floored me. Their unique blend of edgy guitars and soaring harmonies struck me immediately as this brilliant collision of Queen, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and a generous dash of the Beatles. While jotting random thoughts onto my notepad, I wrote “sounds like the Beatles with a serious edge.” Next thing and this is no fabrication: The band leaps into a cover of “Nowhere Man”! I was stunned onto the seat in a nearby booth, basking in my nerdy, journalistic correlation.

The set was a gleaming looking glass into the musicians’ sheer love and passion for music. The sweat and bounce in their strides was electric, and we all wished for more. This experience was a pleasant surprise.

Prior to their performance I lay on the floor in the greenroom chatting with Mark Morales, Astra’s front man, and lead guitarist Bernard Yin, when we were met with an earthquake! The floor rippled and the sound was deeper than any subwoofer could manage. How could their performance outshadow the jolt of my first earthquake!

Both were a sincere pleasure to speak with, as we engaged in discussions about everything from old groups to the current state of the industry (the band had been signed to Universal, and unfortunately dropped shortly there-after).

Be certain we will be monitoring this band’s progress as they continue to write, perform, and pave a path into the music history books.

The Circo Rocktastico tour will be returning to The Uptown in Oakland tomorrow night. Please come out and show your support for these bands.

While the groups are wholly Bay Area based, they do have some hometown cred. Bernard Yin from Astra Heights is originally from the East Bay and Phil Jaurigui, Astra Heights’ manager is a former Bay Area scenester now residing in LA. I promise you will not be disappointed. - BandsOfTheBay.com

August 13, 2008
By Carlos Reyes
(excerpt)

The opener band was a notable discovery, the also L.A-based band Astra Heights. In fact, they were a tough act to follow and they were indeed the better band of the night. When a virtually unknown band steals the show from the band you went to see it means you’re pushed into a juxtaposing situation, where you wish to have the power to put an order on the concert lineup. They were followed by The May Fire, yet another interesting band that added to the overrated expectations we had for the leading band. - Club Fonograma

By: Sara Cress and Joey Guerra

Astra Heights wasn't supposed to release its major-label debut album, Good Problems, until early next year. But the Houston-bred, L.A.-based band of brothers couldn't wait that long.

The Morales quartet (and honorary sibling/guitarist Bernard Yin) convinced Universal Republic to quietly release the record this year. Available on iTunes and at live shows, it's a gorgeous, glam collection of warm-blooded vocals and dramatic instrumentation that deserves to fill arenas.

A formal release is still set for early 2008.

"In order for us to start touring and to build a stronger buzz, we needed a physical product in our hands,'' said bassist James Morales.

The boys are keeping their part of the deal and have been regularly trekking across the country. They'll hit warp speed with several local appearances, including an acoustic set at Em & Lee clothing boutique and a big show at Warehouse Live.

"We wanted Houston to be the main focus, since it is our hometown,'' Morales said. "Some of them aren't situations that we as a rock band are used to playing."

It's a packed schedule, but the Astra Heights clan is carving out enough time to unwind with family and friends.

"Maybe doing some cooking for the family," Morales said. "Probably eating a lot of barbecue and Tex-Mex."



- Houston Chronicle, Dec 7, 2007

By David A. Cobb
It’s the same old story. A group of talented musicians leave their home for fame and fortune in Los Angeles. The band slogs it out for a couple of years, gains record label interest and eventually signs the coveted major label deal. But as it so often happens, the fame and glory that’s supposed to come with the big label deal doesn’t always materialize in today’s increasingly volatile music industry.
“I think since the major labels are in trouble and in even less of a position to take risks, they will only do something for bands that have already proven themselves in the marketplace,” vocalist / guitarist Mark Morales says. “Basically they won’t hardly put a dime behind us until we work up some hype for ourselves. Which, to me, seems like a catch-22. So, yes, we’re playing the game, but apparently we’re kind of playing by ourselves at the moment.”
“I think we spent about three years playing the club/bar circuit in Houston,: he says. “We made friendly with a couple of bands and thought we all had the potential, but we felt that in order for us to be nationally recognized, we needed to go where the industry was. Once we moved out to LA – which wasn’t easy by the way – we hit the ground running, playing shows, meeting people, doing online stuff, etc. It’s tough in LA because of the vast amount of competition, but we were fortunate enough to get signed after only two years…”
The band’s debut for Universal, appropriately titled Good Problems, has been a long time coming. “The story if this album is two years in the making and could fill the pages of a sad novela,” Mark says. “To make a long story very short, we recorded in New York City but had to re-record half of it in LA. The New York City recordings were rushed, and we wish we had more time to work on them. The LA recording were laid back and – in my humble opinion – pretty fantastic. We had to remix the whole thing too, which again was another little hurdle in getting it done. But when all is said and done, we’re pretty proud of the whole thing, and we hope that it’ll make a small ripple in the world of modern rock.”
So how do former Texans Astra Heights – bassist James Morales, drummer Joshua Morales, keyboardist/ guitarist Timothy Morales, guitarist/ vocalist Bernard Yin and Mark – likeon the West Coast? “California is great,” Mark says. “Before we moved out here, I had watched that movie Training Day, and I was kind of freaked about moving out here, but it’s really nothing like that. There’s the ocean, the mountains, city life, all within 30 minutes of each other. The best thing about LA, to me, is that hardly anyone you meet is from LA. Everyone is here from different parts of the country. And everyone is out there to do the same thing: to seek out their dreams. Whether it be music, acting, directing or writing, everyone wants to be young, and the energy from the youth is contagious.”
Mark describes Astra heights’ music as a mixture of David Bowie, T-Rex, The Beatles and The Clash. “If they were all spices in a recipe of our album, they might all be equal parts,” he says. Their songs are radio-friendly pop with a dose of New Wave and early ‘90s Britrock as well. “We have The Beatles hardwired into our brains,” he says. But what most people don’t usually hear is that Morrissey is probable the second most influence in my writing. If not second, maybe a neck-and-neck tie with John Lennon.”
Astra Heights also doesn’t shy away from innovations in technology. “We’re all about technology,” Mark says. “ I love any innovation that makes music easily available to the masses. My personal favorite toy is GarageBand on the Mac. It’s so easy to use and, with a preamp, can be just as vital as a four-track recorder was 10 tp 15 years ago. We demo all of our songs for notes and whatnot in GarageBand while we practice.”
What advice does he have for bands trying to make it in the music business today? “Well, it might sound stupid, but it seems that MySpace has become the new barometer for success to the major labels. So, if you want a major label deal, then get your online image into shape. If you’re not going for that then do your own thing, jump on as a local opener for touring acts, find a manager; never be afraid to flyer or pound the pavement. As we’ve learned, it’s about DYI: do it yourself.”
- Envy Magazine - December 2007

By: Jordan Blum
3/17/2008

LA's Astra Heights, consisting of the four Morales brothers and "honorary brother" Bernard Yin, is the newest entry into the list of sibling groups. Bassist James attributes the start of the band to the influence of a guitarist father and grandfather, both of whom also sang in a choir with the boys in their hometown of Palacios, Texas. Around the days of college, they decided to form a band. They soon moved to LA and searched for a record contract. The rest is history and their debut, Good Problems, is a promising output from an ambitious yet humble ensemble.
Upon hearing the first tracks, listeners are reminded of several other bands. However, it's a positive melting of influences to create a personal sound rather than a deliberatecopying to substitute a lack of originality. Indeed they list their influences as T-Rex, Queen, The Kinks and, like all artists should, The Beatles. Add to the mis Mark's vocal timbre of Johnny Rotten (though much more melodic) and, in the case of "Whole World Changes", harmonies akin to S.F. Sorrow by The Pretty Things and Because from Abbey Road. Taking all of this into account, one has a good idea of what Astra Heights sounds like. Even so, the quality and energy of this debut is surprising.
Opener "Good People" would be perfect for a bar full of drunks to chant together (though it is more organized than that may lead you to believe). The ballad "It's Alright" is a soft song with subtle string accompaniment. "Never A Reason," with a guitar tone similar to a sitar and a trebly cymbal sounds, is definitely inspired by middle-eastern musical conventions. Perhaps the best track is the closer, "Greg the Illumnator". The two-three chord verse melody carries the nostalgic story telling feel of The Decemberists, and Mark's falsetto is reminiscent of Damon Albarn (Blur, Gorillaz). It's a great contradiction to the liveliness of "Good People", and this bookend illustrates the range of Good Problems.
It is comforting to know that, if nothing else, Astra Heights creates for the art and not the money or fame. They've had music in their family for generations and are not amateurs when it comes to singing. While the amount of influences may signify sounding too familiar, it also shows accessibility. They aren't the most innovative band of this generation, but they certainly aren't carbon copies of anyone else either. They embrace the music they grew up with and clearly wish they had made it. Good Problems is a combination of emulation and honest aspiration. It is an enjoyable record.
- Delusions of Adequacy

March 2008

Is iPod-Rock an official genre yet? Jet, The Fratellis, that ultra-processed garage-glam-pop-rock sound...just close your eyes and picture those twitchy shadow dancers in monochrome hell. It's damn easy (and fun) to mock, but the music's so undeniably catchy that no one can resist its charm. Everybody catches it eventually, and once it's in you, it's there for good. Like herp...uh, chicken pox.
With Good Problems, the boys from Astra Heights have quickly picked the aforementioned niche and don't stray. Head-bobbing riffs, clap-your-hands breakdowns, and singalong choruses show up in pretty much every track. Resistance is futile. A few moments like "The Whole World Changes" and "Never A Reason" add some ethnic spice, but this is still a very accessible pop-rock record through and through. Believe me, their catchy, anthemic melodies will stick in your head for days.
The band is five brothers (one honorary) from Palacios, the shrimp capitol of Texas, who played together in Houston before recently moving out to LA. Though they may have picked up a little of that LA flair in their sound, they still take their name from a Houston neighborhood -- sorry, Cali, that means they're ours.
Mark Morales's voice sounds familiar from the start, a mix of the guy from The Black Crowes plus the funny accent of Jethro Tull. It works. Lots of guitar hooks show up, and it's reassuring to see people in pop still playing that instrument (it's not a prop, Avril). Just remember that Astra Heights is made up of brothers, who won't have to spend a few albums balancing influences before finding their signature sound; this is it. The pieces fit together well and make for a pretty cohesive album.
No new genre is being invented here, no walls being torn down or ground being broken..but so what? This is a fun record to listen to, and these guys bypass the pretentious bullshit to show you what they're about; just good, clean iRoc. - Space City Rock

March 2008 -
Great Day Houston (3/6)
Good Day Austin (3/12)

December 2007 -
Great Day Houston
Houstonisimo - 2007-2008

7/10/08
James@tucsonscene.com

Thur Spotlight: Von Iva, Astra Heights @ Plush; Dissard/Elliott @ Tooley's; Straight to Hell (Joe Strummer), Repo Man @Red Room

The Monitors, Astra Heights, Von Iva at Plush
**********Attn: Louis XIV Fans!**********

Von Iva's "LALA," another sexy-yet-cautionary tale about the City of Angels.

The headliner of tonight's show at Plush may be the all-female synth-dance trio Von Iva, but it's middle act Astra Heights that have us most excited about this one. Astra take the cocksure snarl from the early-to-mid-'70s British glam and mix it up with the upbeat, clean-cut, power-pop from U.S. late '70s acts like T.P. & the Heartbreakers, The Knack and The Beat (Paul Collins) to make a nice little package that feels like everything you liked about the Strokes (or Louis XIV), but were afraid to tell your friends. (Would like to add that fans of The Gossip may dig Von Iva--they're like a electronic version of the band, especially live.)

Astra Heights' "The March." A modern take on '70s ballsy glam rock (The Sweet, Marc Bolan). Umm, and they're kinda like a Hispanic version of The Strokes or Louis XIV. (Except for AH song on our Daily Mix.) We loves it!!!!`

Friend 'em at Astra Heights and be sure not to be late--Astra go on at 10:30. Another incentive for showing up on time is a 9:30 opening set from new local pop-rock supergroup The Monitors, who will appeal to fans of The Police and New Pornographers. Supergroup, meaning you'll see former members of the Ten Percenters and Nowhere Man--Vikas!--rockin' them amps early. Cover is only FIVE bucks; more details at Plush.
- Tucson Scene

Q&A w/ Astra Heights
Good Genes, Good Problems
Profile by Sarah Manning

After a sweet two-hour open bar at the House of Blues on Sunset (and really the only way to tolerate the $15 parking!) I recently got a chance to sit down with the completely adorable and funny band called Astra Heights just before their show. “Adorable” might not sound very rock & roll, but these four brothers polled their mom on their blog about who was the best baby, so I think its appropriate to categorize them as such.

Currently residing in our City of Angels, until recently Astra Heights was comprised of Mark (29, lead vocals/guitar), Josh (27, drums/backing vocals), James (28, bass/backing vocals), Tim (guitar/keyboards/backing vocals) four Mexican-American brothers out of of 11 children (!) from Houston, Tejas. The fifth Astra, Bernard Yin (32, lead guitar/backing vocals), is a former member of the band Medicine and who is basically their “brother” from another mother and more Latino than the Morales brothers will ever be (he digs Los Amigos Invisibles!).

A few weeks ago Tim, the youngest brother, decided to leave the band and move back home to Texas. But its all good in Astraland, Bernard and the brothers are currently auditioning for a new guitar player, their album Good Problems, currently available online, will be sold in stores in early 09, and are now touring with Von Iva. Astra Heights play modern brit-pop, way better than those pasty kids in Inglaterra are doing and this August they are embarking on an amazing tour with Monte Negro and The May Fire, in what is being considered by many to be the first national "US Latin rock tour." The tour is called "Circo Rocktastico" (ok the title sucks) but what is for sure is that Astra Heights, as well as Monte Negro and The Mayfire, who sing mostly in English and are based in the US and appeal not necessarily exclusively to Latin audiences, are redifining what it means to play "Latin rock."

Read on to learn what’s on their mind.

RE: What are your influences?

James : Growing up, our parents listened to a lot of Motown and Stevie Wonder.
We also listened to a lot of brit-pop like the Beatles, Suede. It’s this mix, Mark has this soul in his voice and it’s also glammy and we have the harmonies, so it’s a combination.

Mark: A year before we started the band we started listening to David Bowie, T-Rex, old school kind of classic.

James: Oasis was my FAVORITE band growing up.

RE: How is the dynamic with the brothers, especially for the non-brother?

Mark: My dad converted the attic into a big boys’ room, so we always grew up with each other, that’s all we know so were each other’s best friends, we fight, we don’t care.

James: You know what I love about Bernard….for some reason, we’ll get into some sort of argument and Bernard stays out of it and he’s sooo smart.

Tim: James you idiot you spilled the White Russian!

James: Bernard just like laughs about it.

Bernard : Part of the dynamic is this is their only band. I’ve been in thirty; this is my eighth signed band. I’ve seen every argument, every ego trip, every cliché, the heroin-addicted lead singer, all that crap.

Mark: Like me! I just came frrm shooting up.

Bernard: Well, then in your case it’s working. There are things I’m kind of contentious about, that I’m actually biting my tongue about only because I know these things will work themselves out in time or they may not be that important in the long run. A lot of bands get wound up about little things that they may not realize are just such minor issues.

Mark: Right now I’m texting Bernard and I’m saying: “don’t you fucking say anything!”

RE: Why LA versus New York or Austin?

Mark: To be honest. I met this girl in Houston and we started dating and eventually she became my wife and she persuaded us to move out to LA. And then she divorced me! ARE YOU FUCKING HAPPY?! I was trying to forget about it.

Astra Heights, in unison: We don’t regret it all. LA has been great.

Bernard: Even Southern California with all its “quote unquote” problems, it’s a great place.

James: I call LA home now. When I go back to Texas, I’m like man, I miss home, I miss LA. And I never would have thought I’d say I miss Los Angeles, but I do.

Mark: But you know what if New York was half as affordable as LA was we probably would have moved there. I mean now we are starving artists in LA and in New York we’d be homeless.

RE: What are your favorite places in LA?

Tim: My favorite place in LA might have to be every Monday night, there’s this place called Cranes Tavern on Hollywood and El Centro. My friends throw a night there, it’s called “Homework Mondays” and it is just a blast. My friend DJs like Doo-wop and 50s music, just funk music, just great stuff. And $1 beers between 9 and 10pm!

James: I’m a big foodie so I like Bay Cities in Santa Monica. I’m like a big deli sandwich type a guy. My girlfriend and I make the trip out to Santa Monica just for Bay Cities for that only reason and I don’t do that for any other place. I like my food!

Josh: I consider Texas my home, for me, I prefer Texas. To be honest, Pasadena is my favorite part or LA, only because Pasadena is more suburban and homely than Hollywood the city is.

Bernard: Favorite part of LA? That’s tough. It depends on the activity, the season.

RE: The season?!

Bernard: This is a good one. It’s a place called Neptune’s Net. Which is a restaurant right at county line between LA County and Ventura County and it’s on the coast above Malibu on the beach and its kind of like this greasy spoon diner where either tourists or bikers both end up winding up their Sunday drive. It’s right across the street from a really good break. A good surf break.

James (whispers): He’s a surfer!

Bernard: The location and the weirdness of it all and the fact that its just a little non-Hollywood and still a little Hollywood cause its Malibu. It’s this weird convergence of all these people.

Josh: What’s that breakfast place, The Griddle? Maybe the Griddle first and Pasadena as a whole.

RE: Do you ever sing or write in Spanish?

Mark: No, we don’t but we’ve been asked to so we will very soon. We’ve been trying to write in Spanish, we’ll have something by the end of the summer.

Josh: We weren’t really raised around it.

James: We’re second generation and we were raised in suburban areas of Houston and Philadelphia.

Tim: My parents got in trouble for speaking Spanish in school, so they didn’t teach us Spanish because they didn’t want us to experience it.

Mark: Who knew thirty years later, that speaking Spanish would be the biggest asset?

RE: Why the blog? Not that many bands have such a personal blog.

Mark: It’s almost like a hook. People see us and they like us and they hear the CD and they think oh that’s cool and when they see the concert and they put two and two together and then they meet us afterwards they are like, oh those guys are nice and so then when they read the blog it’s like staying in touch with us. It’s an extension of an interview.

RE: There’s a lot of personal information on it. You guys are really open.

Mark: In this day in age, say if we were to become famous, fans can find out just about anything if they really wanted to.

Josh: And end up killing us.

RE: Some of your songs are pretty political and Obama is on your blog. Any endorsements?

Mark: We won’t endorse a specific candidate, but I will say a majority of the band is more left-leaning.

James: I think Bernard said it well one time. Like, you know what were not left or right, were just like pacifists.

RE: What are you listening to right now?

Bernard: Ronnie James Dios w/ Black Sabbath - Neon Knights
Mark: Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
James: My Morning Jacket – the new single [Ed. Note: I think he means “Evil Urges”]
Tim: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition - “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”
Josh: Glen Campbell- “Gentle on My Mind “

RE: Do you listen to any Latin, Mexican music, anything?

Bernard: I do a lot. Old stuff, like the Trio Los Panchos. If you want to broaden your definition of Latin, everybody listens to the Jobim records. I’ve hung out right here in the House of Blues with Aterciopelados. I used to be in a band that all the guys in Soda Stereo used to come and see. I was in this band called Medicine. Local bands that are great, Pastilla is cool. Los Super Elegantes, who I’ve known for years. I toured with El Vez, and I still sometimes do shows with him. I’ve been in bands with so many Mexicans, its not even funny. Los Amigos Invisibles, their first record, is hands down one of the classics of contemporary Latin funk. I’m producing a Panamanian girl, Marisabel Bazan. I’m really proud of what is happening.

RE: What do you think when you hear the word cosmopolatino?

Astra Heights: Beautiful MEXICAN!

Bernard: We have a better one, metro-sexual Latino! We are cosmopolatinos.

James: Are we?

Bernard: Sure we are. We are cosmo-neopolatinos.

James: I want to find a definition for that!

Bernard: I just made it up. You know like neopolitan, Italian.

RE: And ice cream.

Bernard: Here’s our slogan: rockeamos!

After a sweet two-hour open bar at the House of Blues on Sunset (and really the only way to tolerate the $15 parking!) I recently got a chance to sit down with the completely adorable and funny band called Astra Heights just before their show. “Adorable” might not sound very rock & roll, but these four brothers polled their mom on their blog about who was the best baby, so I think its appropriate to categorize them as such.

Currently residing in our City of Angels, until recently Astra Heights was comprised of Mark (29, lead vocals/guitar), Josh (27, drums/backing vocals), James (28, bass/backing vocals), Tim (guitar/keyboards/backing vocals) four Mexican-American brothers out of of 11 children (!) from Houston, Tejas. The fifth Astra, Bernard Yin (32, lead guitar/backing vocals), is a former member of the band Medicine and who is basically their “brother” from another mother and more Latino than the Morales brothers will ever be (he digs Los Amigos Invisibles!).

A few weeks ago Tim, the youngest brother, decided to leave the band and move back home to Texas. But its all good in Astraland, Bernard and the brothers are currently auditioning for a new guitar player, their album Good Problems, currently available online, will be sold in stores in early 09, and are now touring with Von Iva. Astra Heights play modern brit-pop, way better than those pasty kids in Inglaterra are doing and this August they are embarking on an amazing tour with Monte Negro and The May Fire, in what is being considered by many to be the first national "US Latin rock tour." The tour is called "Circo Rocktastico" (ok the title sucks) but what is for sure is that Astra Heights, as well as Monte Negro and The Mayfire, who sing mostly in English and are based in the US and appeal not necessarily exclusively to Latin audiences, are redifining what it means to play "Latin rock."

Read on to learn what’s on their mind.

RE: What are your influences?

James : Growing up, our parents listened to a lot of Motown and Stevie Wonder.
We also listened to a lot of brit-pop like the Beatles, Suede. It’s this mix, Mark has this soul in his voice and it’s also glammy and we have the harmonies, so it’s a combination.

Mark: A year before we started the band we started listening to David Bowie, T-Rex, old school kind of classic.

James: Oasis was my FAVORITE band growing up.

RE: How is the dynamic with the brothers, especially for the non-brother?

Mark: My dad converted the attic into a big boys’ room, so we always grew up with each other, that’s all we know so were each other’s best friends, we fight, we don’t care.

James: You know what I love about Bernard….for some reason, we’ll get into some sort of argument and Bernard stays out of it and he’s sooo smart.

Tim: James you idiot you spilled the White Russian!

James: Bernard just like laughs about it.

Bernard : Part of the dynamic is this is their only band. I’ve been in thirty; this is my eighth signed band. I’ve seen every argument, every ego trip, every cliché, the heroin-addicted lead singer, all that crap.

Mark: Like me! I just came frrm shooting up.

Bernard: Well, then in your case it’s working. There are things I’m kind of contentious about, that I’m actually biting my tongue about only because I know these things will work themselves out in time or they may not be that important in the long run. A lot of bands get wound up about little things that they may not realize are just such minor issues.

Mark: Right now I’m texting Bernard and I’m saying: “don’t you fucking say anything!”

RE: Why LA versus New York or Austin?

Mark: To be honest. I met this girl in Houston and we started dating and eventually she became my wife and she persuaded us to move out to LA. And then she divorced me! ARE YOU FUCKING HAPPY?! I was trying to forget about it.

Astra Heights, in unison: We don’t regret it all. LA has been great.

Bernard: Even Southern California with all its “quote unquote” problems, it’s a great place.

James: I call LA home now. When I go back to Texas, I’m like man, I miss home, I miss LA. And I never would have thought I’d say I miss Los Angeles, but I do.

Mark: But you know what if New York was half as affordable as LA was we probably would have moved there. I mean now we are starving artists in LA and in New York we’d be homeless.

RE: What are your favorite places in LA?

Tim: My favorite place in LA might have to be every Monday night, there’s this place called Cranes Tavern on Hollywood and El Centro. My friends throw a night there, it’s called “Homework Mondays” and it is just a blast. My friend DJs like Doo-wop and 50s music, just funk music, just great stuff. And $1 beers between 9 and 10pm!

James: I’m a big foodie so I like Bay Cities in Santa Monica. I’m like a big deli sandwich type a guy. My girlfriend and I make the trip out to Santa Monica just for Bay Cities for that only reason and I don’t do that for any other place. I like my food!

Josh: I consider Texas my home, for me, I prefer Texas. To be honest, Pasadena is my favorite part or LA, only because Pasadena is more suburban and homely than Hollywood the city is.

Bernard: Favorite part of LA? That’s tough. It depends on the activity, the season.

RE: The season?!

Bernard: This is a good one. It’s a place called Neptune’s Net. Which is a restaurant right at county line between LA County and Ventura County and it’s on the coast above Malibu on the beach and its kind of like this greasy spoon diner where either tourists or bikers both end up winding up their Sunday drive. It’s right across the street from a really good break. A good surf break.

James (whispers): He’s a surfer!

Bernard: The location and the weirdness of it all and the fact that its just a little non-Hollywood and still a little Hollywood cause its Malibu. It’s this weird convergence of all these people.

Josh: What’s that breakfast place, The Griddle? Maybe the Griddle first and Pasadena as a whole.

RE: Do you ever sing or write in Spanish?

Mark: No, we don’t but we’ve been asked to so we will very soon. We’ve been trying to write in Spanish, we’ll have something by the end of the summer.

Josh: We weren’t really raised around it.

James: We’re second generation and we were raised in suburban areas of Houston and Philadelphia.

Tim: My parents got in trouble for speaking Spanish in school, so they didn’t teach us Spanish because they didn’t want us to experience it.

Mark: Who knew thirty years later, that speaking Spanish would be the biggest asset?

RE: Why the blog? Not that many bands have such a personal blog.

Mark: It’s almost like a hook. People see us and they like us and they hear the CD and they think oh that’s cool and when they see the concert and they put two and two together and then they meet us afterwards they are like, oh those guys are nice and so then when they read the blog it’s like staying in touch with us. It’s an extension of an interview.

RE: There’s a lot of personal information on it. You guys are really open.

Mark: In this day in age, say if we were to become famous, fans can find out just about anything if they really wanted to.

Josh: And end up killing us.

RE: Some of your songs are pretty political and Obama is on your blog. Any endorsements?

Mark: We won’t endorse a specific candidate, but I will say a majority of the band is more left-leaning.

James: I think Bernard said it well one time. Like, you know what were not left or right, were just like pacifists.

RE: What are you listening to right now?

Bernard: Ronnie James Dios w/ Black Sabbath - Neon Knights
Mark: Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
James: My Morning Jacket – the new single [Ed. Note: I think he means “Evil Urges”]
Tim: Kenny Rogers & the First Edition - “Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)”
Josh: Glen Campbell- “Gentle on My Mind “

RE: Do you listen to any Latin, Mexican music, anything?

Bernard: I do a lot. Old stuff, like the Trio Los Panchos. If you want to broaden your definition of Latin, everybody listens to the Jobim records. I’ve hung out right here in the House of Blues with Aterciopelados. I used to be in a band that all the guys in Soda Stereo used to come and see. I was in this band called Medicine. Local bands that are great, Pastilla is cool. Los Super Elegantes, who I’ve known for years. I toured with El Vez, and I still sometimes do shows with him. I’ve been in bands with so many Mexicans, its not even funny. Los Amigos Invisibles, their first record, is hands down one of the classics of contemporary Latin funk. I’m producing a Panamanian girl, Marisabel Bazan. I’m really proud of what is happening.

RE: What do you think when you hear the word cosmopolatino?

Astra Heights: Beautiful MEXICAN!

Bernard: We have a better one, metro-sexual Latino! We are cosmopolatinos.

James: Are we?

Bernard: Sure we are. We are cosmo-neopolatinos.

James: I want to find a definition for that!

Bernard: I just made it up. You know like neopolitan, Italian.

RE: And ice cream.

Bernard: Here’s our slogan: rockeamos!
- Remezcla