FITTER (www.myspace.com/fitter, www.bandfitter.com) is an "Afro Dub-Rock Experimental" trio born and raised in Los Angeles, CA.
The band’s style mixes a dynamic high energy rock with aggressive Latin dance grooves and in-the-pocket backbeats that vary from reggae one drops to heavy rock rumbles. Fronted by Wilfredo Mendez (Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards/Congas), the backbone of the group consists of an infectious talented rhythm section comprised of Edgardo Velasquez (Bass/Timbales) and James Ramirez (Drums).
The three met and bonded as young teenagers even before they formed FITTER during their days at Hollywood High School. Born into families of undocumented immigrants from El Salvador and Guatemala, they mix their North and Central American upbringing to deliver a passionate and high intensity live act.
On stage, the trio delivers an explosive high-energy rock show that dips and turns with percussive rhythms. Wil and Ed’s live instrumental transitions from guitar and bass to congas and timbales draws fans into a dancehall frenzy, all the while maintaining an aggressive edge to the performance and fueling moshpits with their heavier sounds. Wilfredo’s upper mid range vocal melodies can be as seductive as they are angry. His violent vocal outbursts complement his spacey, aggressive, and overdriven guitar progressions. The frequent use of guest musicians allow for added arrangements and instrumentation that include trumpet, keys, samples, and additional Latin percussion, thus bringing in a “secret weapon” element that never fails to garner attention.
The trio’s shows are considered to be the “buzz around town” and have attracted support from local, national and international fans and media.
FITTER’s 1st official independent release “You Don’t Belong Here, but We’ll Use You Anyway” was written as an emotional reaction to US exploitation of immigrant labor and culture. The bands lyrics portray a conscious interplay of personal and political perspectives, all the while maintaining an underground level of comfort and intimacy. The band’s music has been featured on national and international television, radio, and press outlets such as Mun2, The Travel Channel, LATV, La Opinion, KPFK, Kill Radio, Al Borde and others, and is for sale through CD Baby, iTunes, Napster, and other digital media outlets on the internet.
The band is currently in full promotion of their sophomore release; "Through the Green Jungles of Plenty..."
Instrumentation
Wilfredo Mendez - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Congas
Edgardo Velasquez - Bass, Timbales
James Ramirez - Drums
Discography
Through the Green Jungles of Plenty... (2009)
You Don’t Belong Here, But We’ll Use You Anyway - (2006)
Fitter – Self Titled EP – (2002)
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