Los Bandits plays Tex-Mex music,
the infectious accordion-led dance music created along the
Texas-Mexican border, but with a twist. This Kalamazoo-based
conjunto calls its music "Tex-Mex, Michigan style," a mixing of
rhythm and blues, gospel and country rock influences with norteño
and tejano performance style and instrumentation. They have a big,
rousing and danceable sound that gets listeners on their feet in
short order.
This musical group, the inspiration of two men--René Meave and
Guillermo Martinez—was launched more than a dozen years ago. In
addition to featuring originally written and scored music, the
program presents many stories. Stories which come from the music. In
both they reveal their origins in Mexico and Texas and how they
brought their talent, creativity, and mission to Western Michigan.
There's also an element of social consciousness expressed through
their original compositions, some of which deal with the plight of
farm workers. Los Bandits formed in 1991, but each of its individual
members has over 20 years of musical experience. Rene Meave (guitar
and vocals) and Guillermo Martinez (accordion, keyboard and vocals)
both began their musical careers in Texas and came to Michigan as
migrant workers. An accomplished songwriter, Meave has been
recognized by Billboard and the American Song Festival for the
originality of his compositions. Martinez is also a songwriter and a
poet whose works dealing with issues of social justice for farm
workers have been featured at local talks by the late Cesar Chavez.
René and Guillermo reflect the feelings of their community but they
are true bandits as well.
Rounding out the group are Dan Diaz on drums and Alan Baldon on
bass. Los Bandits has appeared with The Texas Tornadoes, Patty
Loveless, Terrence Simien and Little Joey La Familia among many
others. The group's been featured at national events such as the
Tejano Awards Fanfare in San Antonio and the National Council of La
Raza 25th Anniversary Conference. In 1999, the Michigan Hispanic
Caucus and the Governor of Michigan paid special tribute to Rene and
Guillermo for their contributions to Tex-Mex music.
