Welterweight back in action–On Stage!
Tonight is your chance to cheer on Alfonso S. Gomez–on stage, not in the ring (yet)! The fighter (18-4-2, 8 KOs) will be lacing up once again on May 1st at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada against Juan Manuel Buendia (14-2-1, 8 KOs) . Stay tuned to this column for a one-on-one interview about that upcoming match and also an in-depth chat about his music career.
But for now, get ready to rock as Gomez (known as “Diablo” on stage) takes part TONIGHT in the Guitar Center’s “Battle of the Bands” Semi-Final competition. Part of a popular L.A. band called Hy3rid, the young boxer has been performing as a rapper and keyboardist along with his brothers, Robb and Zeuz and bandmates Gus, Pierre and Ponja. Their sound is a unique and energetic blend: a fusion of rock en Español and hip hop. The group won their very first level of competition and have now advanced to the second tier.
The guys are looking forward to performing live again and will be unveiling two new songs in tonight’s set. Since they won the first “Battle of the Bands” last month, the victory allowed them to move on and face new, tough competition against some other very talented musicians.
“Hy3rid is just like me,” says Gomez. “We’re kind of the underdogs. The bands that went before us had won a lot of the challenges so it raised the competition for us. We only had four songs last time; I’m so glad we won!”
What will Hy3rid do tonight to duplicate their success in their first win? The trained boxer offers an honest assessment and strives for a knockout tonight, “The first concert was like a first fight for me. I watched the tapes and now I’m gonna try to do an even better job! We’re bringing in a new piano player so that give me another chance to face the crowd more so that’ll be better. How much can we improve? We’ll see Sunday night!”
The concert is open to the public so come on out and check out their music!
Tonight–April 5 at 8:00 p.m.(Bands perform in 20-30 minute sets)”Battle of the Bands” Semi-FinalsClub 705, 705 Pier Avenue, Hermosa Beach, CATickets 15.00 at the door/ 18 and over10.00 advance through www.hy3rid.com
Photos by Michele Chong