“Listen While You Read”
Every band has a story behind their name, their sound, and the truths they’ve uncovered along the way. For El Paso’s own BALVNCES, that story is filled with humor, honesty, and a mix of influences that could only collide in the borderland. As Fernie was in the vocal booth laying down his tracks, we had a chance to sit down with Chris James, Steeba, and Roberto to talk about their journey, from why they chose the name BALVNCES to the hardest lessons they’ve learned as musicians.
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What’s in a Name?
When you ask most bands how they got their name, you expect some deep philosophy or late-night epiphany. BALVNCES? Not so much.
Chris James laughs: “I liked how the font looked… so whatever, ha!”
For Steeba, the choice came from a more symbolic place: “We wanted something that can be symbolized but also interpreted by the listener as they ‘see it’ or ‘hear it.’ BALVNCES seemed to fit.”
And while Roberto wasn’t in the band when the name was picked, it carries its own meaning for him: “It symbolizes taking a mix of all our musical influences and balancing them so no one influence or style dominates our music. It’s a balance that creates something new and exciting.”
The Soundtrack Behind Their Sound
The band’s influences are as diverse as they are.
Steeba points back to the 90’s and 2000’s: “I grew up on 80’s ‘dad rock’ and always respected the musicianship, but I wanted a more modern sound. You can definitely hear the inspiration from the ‘nu-metal’ era, and we welcome that.”
For Roberto, music runs deep in the family: “My father wasn’t a musician, but he was a huge fan of music and passed that gift on to me. I grew up on 70’s and 80’s rock, blues, Celtic music, bluegrass. I’ve always wanted to write bass lines like Tina Weymouth, Paul McCartney, Tim Commerford, Geezer Butler, David Ellefson, John Paul Jones… Bass players that write melody to support the whole of the song.”
And then there’s Chris James, who rattles off a list like a jukebox on shuffle: “Metallica, all the Seattle bands from the 90s, Meshuggah, Deftones, 311, James Brown, Rick James, Incubus, Ice Cube, Ice T, WAR, Pissing Razors, Budgie. My style will make ya shake dat ass and bang that head.”
Misunderstood Metal
Metal is a genre that often gets misread.
Steeba says: “People tend to think metal needs to be heavy, which isn’t always the case. I’ve heard pop songs that are dark and can be considered metal as fuck.”
Roberto adds: “The stereotype is that it’s just noise and screams. But metal is deep and dark and can inspire a range of emotions. We bring the heavy but also challenge listeners with parts you wouldn’t expect in a metal song.”
Chris James puts it bluntly: “Closed-minded people see the long hair, the black clothes, and all of a sudden I’m the devil, haha. What they don’t know is I be sneaking in funk, hip hop, and D&B beats.”
Walking Away from a Show
So what do they hope fans feel after a BALVNCES show?
For Steeba, it’s peace: “A sense of calmness. Like a good therapeutic session. I want people to know they can look to our music for relief from everyday stress.”
For Roberto, it’s wonder: “I hope the listener feels like they saw something special. I hope they carry with them a love and respect for local music, because El Paso has a lot of bands that, if you gave them a chance, would blow your mind.”
And Chris James? He keeps it real: “Maaaan! I hope they feel sexy as f**! Buy some merch and carry that, ya heard!”
Hard Truths Learned Along the Way
No journey is without its lessons.
Steeba: “To be honest with yourself and everyone around you. We don’t write music to sound like anyone else. We let our music do the talking.”
Roberto: “Music will humble anybody and everybody, and I don’t think that ever stops. We respect each other in BALVNCES and criticism is part of it.”
Chris James wraps it up: “The saga continues. I’ve learned to step back and create my parts for the sake of the song. That’s why we’re a band — I ain’t no solo pop artist! I just wanna move yo body, making that smokey music Chuco style.”
Don’t forget to connect with BALVNCES
BALVNCES live performances
We had the chance to capture one of BALVNCES’ live performances recently over at Mulligans on Trawood. Honestly, I’d never seen them perform before, and I didn’t even know Mullies (Mulligans slang) hosted live shows. The place was packed, the energy was electric, and everyone was having a great fuckin’ time! Their music had the whole room moving, the band was locked in, tight as hell, and you could tell they knew their craft. People were head banging, some were even dancing, and their up-tempo groove metal completely owned the night.
What made it even cooler was seeing songs we’ve been working on in the studio come alive on stage. It hit me that we really did capture who they are as a band when we recorded them. At the end of the day, BALVNCES just wants people to have a damn good time and that’s exactly what they deliver.
BALVNCES in the studio
Does BALVNCES drink? Oh yeah! Does BALVNCES like to party? Oh yeah! Does BALVNCES know their shit? Oh yeah!
From the very start of our sessions, these guys rolled in with nothing but great attitudes not just toward the music, but toward each other. They respect one another’s tastes, they listen, and you can feel the camaraderie in the room. Sure, there was plenty of booze and laughter along the way, but we never lost focus on what mattered, making great fucking music and capturing killer performances. I seriously can’t wait for everyone to hear the final product!
The Takeaway
BALVNCES is more than a metal band, they’re a mix of personalities, sounds, and truths that make their music both heavy and healing. They’re proof that music is at its best when it finds the right balance. They just want their audience to have a good time and enjoy life, just as they are. They understand that music is about community, having a good time and most importantly, friendship! This is why they are exactly what El Paso needs right now in the music scene!
Getting to know the band!
We recently caught up with BALVNCES for an exclusive interview on the Live with Let Down Series! Check it out below!
