Carry-On Band

Bio

At a time of losing so many of our music heroes, it’s important that the sound and movement they started carries on.

This statement is true in general but of significant importance to the Carry-On Band. The group was originally formed by Isaac Avila (guitar/lead vocals), and Pete Sarenana (guitar), and named after Pete’s close friend and cousin Ray Carrion Jr., after his death on June 28th, 2008.

The band has contributed to a series of fund raisers and community events as well as local and national charities such as Rock for Vets, Rocking 4 Our Heroes, and Relay for Life. The band suffered the untimely death of Isaac Avila on August 30th, 2009 but carries on with the three remaining permanent members: Pete Sarenana, Adam Ponce, and Mark Prudeaux. They were awarded national recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community by the United States Congress on April 2nd 2011. The Carry-On Band is now writing, recording and working with Producers Roy Z. Ramirez and Simon Phillips on a collection of original songs for their upcoming debut CD release. They are in the process of a campaign for marketing that include videos, digital downloads, DVDs, merchandise, live performance tours and radio shows. This is definitely a band that "Carries On". It is worth mentioning that the collection of songs is in memory of the bands lost family members, Ray and Issac; as well as bass player Rik Cruz who succumbed to cancer on June 28th 2014, Ironically the exact same month and day as the loss of Ray Carrion six years earlier. They have not forgotten where and why they started. The image of Ray Carrion is incorporated into their logo for just this purpose and a party is held on Isaac’s, as well as Rik’s, birthday every year to commemorate their lives and influence.

Pete Sarenana approaches guitar tone like a train approaches a tunnel. He fills the space and everything else needs to get out of the way. Born in Van Nuys, California he made the decision in grade 3 or 4 to become a guitar player while listening to the radio. After bugging anyone who would listen, he was given an acoustic guitar from a neighbor and had to eventually learn how to tune it before tuners or the internet existed. Early in his development Pete played a lot of bluegrass gigs for banjo and fiddle contest but kept returning to electric guitar driven rock music. He and a childhood friend would push each other to progress by practicing hours a day to a click track. The 1980s confirmed a career in music when he auditioned and won a battle of the bands to attain a recurring Friday night gig at Gazzarri’s on the Sunset Strip. Gazzarri’s only had one dressing room and it was assigned to Pete’s band those nights. It was a popular hang out even for established players. The dressing room was the only VIP area and it provided an opportunity to meet some interesting people. Saturday nights were for house parties in the San Fernando Valley with significant payouts. While there is no one guitarist at the top of his list, some that have peeked his interest are: Alex Lifeson, Michael Schenker and Randy Rhodes. But the influences often change. “I’m not trying to find someone elses sound, I’m trying to find my own while also fitting it with the other players” Pete says.

Adam Ponce plays his drum kit with the grace of a gazelle and the ferocity and precision of the cheetah chasing it. Born March 19, 1982 in Sun Valley, California, Adam began playing music with his dad at age 5. His aspiration for a career in music began early. He started playing professionally at age 13 when mom finally gave him the okay. In October of 1996 he was offered his first recording session by Lon Miller at Westlake Audio. Shortly after that, he studied music at Los Angeles College of Music. He has written and recorded 3 unreleased albums of progressive rock and jazz compositions. Carry-On Band utilizes Adam’s affinity for progressive and occasionally odd meter rhythms to construct the foundation for their songs. This project has provided the opportunity for Adam to work with his musical Idol, Simon Phillips, who produced the current project. Adam is also recording and producing various projects at his own home studio where can be available to influence his own children in music. Just like his father did for him.

At the age of six, Mark Prudeaux had his first paid performance when he was hired by the pastor of his catholic school to sing "Silent Night" to his classmates. The gig payed 10¢. Born Oct. 26, in Paducah, Kentucky Mark moved to Pacoima, California when he was 3. His professional career as a singer continued at age 14 when a childhood friend asked him to audition for a family’s Latin, Soul, and R&B cover band. After catholic school gave up on him, Mark bathed his soul in rock and roll and began writing and recording original material with various local bands. He played the circuit on the Sunset Strip, and toured the west coast. Several years later he was re-introduced to Pete Sarenana, an old school mate, and invited to join Carry-On Band. “I think our tones compliment each other well. Some notes it’s hard to discern the difference between the voice and guitar”, Mark says. That primal scream of voice together with guitar forms a siren’s call that makes Carry-On Band’s music a passionate expression that resonates the soul.

Where there’s thunder there’s lightning and Jesse Silgero brings them both. Not only is he fun to watch but when the thump of his bass notes come at you, you’re gonna feel it. Born January 31st 1995 in Woodland Hills, he gave up a failing hobby of skateboarding for a shot as a bass player. In a talent show at school with two other kids, he had one week over spring break to get a bass and learn how to play the song, Holiday, by Green Day. It’s all happening now for Jesse. He has become sought after by artist and agencies alike but found a home with Carry-On Band as it’s youngest member. Recalling trying to learn Geezer Butler’s solos in his teens, Jesse references that iconic bass style when working on Carry-On Band songs. Yet he is motivated to think differently about the neck of the bass by Jaco Pastorius and some newer players like Thundercat and Bubby Lewis. He believes that collaboration is the intention of music. A form of communication. Especially in this wild west Internet trend, where there is more freedom to access anything you want. If it’s good it will break though if only by word of mouth. Favorite quote, “ America is known for speed. Hot nasty bad ass speed.”, -Elenore Roosevelt. Nah, Just kidding. “Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t”, -Bill Nye.