Support drives local band Terror Eyes

Terror Eyes is best defined by their music, not by their name.

"There is a lot of chemistry in the band," said guitarist Federico Corral, junior biological sciences major. "Everyone picks up the music very quick."

Terror Eyes is a musical concoction of each individual band member's influences, all collaborated into a unique math-core, progressive musical style.

After only two months of being together, the members of Terror Eyes said they have already experienced what even some veteran local bands haven't. Recently, Terror Eyes recorded at the increasingly popular Sonic Ranch, which has housed bands such as the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Conor Oberst, Jenny Lewis and Shearwater, just to name a few. Guitarist Danny Bonilla-Garcia said the experience was one of the best memories the band has had together.

The experience at Sonic Ranch, a recording studio located just 30 miles east of El Paso International Airport, was surreal to all the band members, Bonilla said.

"It was fantastic," Corral said, "We had a personal assistant, we ate breakfast with Explosions in the Sky and we met a pet raccoon named Geronimo."

With only a three-day stay at the recording studio, the band was able to record their first record and finish it on Sept. 28. The band will soon release their album, which has yet to be named, within the next month. They are planning an album release show for the occasion.

With practice two to three days a week, it can be hard for some members of the band to always meet up. Brandon Bloxdorf, 18, is the bass player of the band, and the only member that currently holds a job.

"It is sometimes hard for him to meet with us," Corral said. "But it's all good, because he picks up really quick."

Most practice takes place individually, Bonilla said. He practices on his own for three to four hours a day. Drummer Kyle Royse, 17, also  struggles with practice times. Being the youngest, he laughs because he sometimes feels like the scapegoat of the band.

Currently, the band is preparing for upcoming events. Their next performance will be at Club Blu in Downtown El Paso Oct. 26. The band is also getting ready to compete in a battle of the bands in November at New Mexico State University.

"The theme (of the concert) is to play the theme song of a movie," Corral said. "We are planning to do ‘Fight Club'."

Upcoming tours are also being planned by the band. Although locations are still indefinite, the band is preparing for a tentative tour of Texas in December. Corral said they want the tour to start in El Paso and end in San Antonio by New Year's Day.

With help from Wartime Records, the band is also planning a 2011 summer  tour. The prospective tour will start in El Paso and go up as far north as Canada.

"We get a lot of support from Wartime Records," Corral said. "We also hope to go on tour with supporting band, Triumph over Shipwreck."

Terror Eyes has a lot of preparing to do in the coming months. They are also working on a date for the 2011 Vans Warped Tour.

Along with an endless list of upcoming projects for the band, a music video for their song "Gun Gives You Body Not Bird", is in the making.

"The video will be the best one of all time," Corral said. "Keep an eye peeled for it."

NMSU film major student, Sam Cool, is directing the band's video.

"He is very good with silent films," Bonilla said. "I'm looking forward to it."

El Paso is the main source of the band's creativity and inspiration. According to Corral, everyday living, breathing and high school drama inspires his song writing.

"I also get motivated by bands like King Crimson," Corral said.

Deep thought is not only found in the music and lyrics of their songs. The band's logos have a lot of individuality and creativity to them too.

Daniela Calderon, freshman studio art and graphic design major, is accountable for the band's artistic designs. Corral said he feels honored to have her contribute to the band. Corral and Calderon met in middle school.

"I feel very proud of seeing her grow as an artist through out all these years," Corral said.

The band also prides themselves on having Christopher Schoemann, junior pre-business major, as a friend. Schoemann has been helping the band with their record at Sonic Ranch. While recording, Schoemann worked hard and hardly ever slept.

The band members also find a lot of support within their parents, who do everything from providing food to dealing with loud music during practices.

"I believe Kyle's dad is one of the most supportive parents," Bonilla said.

Royse's father helps him load, transport and unload his drum set at each gig.

The band members find themselves surrounded by support from their parents to fellow bands. They said they aren't afraid to admit that without all the people that support them they would be nothing.

"We consider our fans friends, and our friends, family," Corral said.

Alejandro Alba may be reached at prospector@utep.edu.