Chon

A technical post-hardcore band with heavy instrumental tendencies, Chon formed in San Diego in 2008. The band originally comprised bassist/vocalist Esiah Camarena, drummer Nathan Camarena, and guitarists Erick Hansel and Mario Camarena. While playing shows on the emo and post-hardcore scene, Chon's tunes were influenced from the start by jazz, prog rock, and even classical tendencies. Esiah was out of the band by the time they released their debut EP, Newborn Sun, in 2013, replaced by bassist Drew Pelisek. They toured frequently, returning the next year with another EP, Woohoo!, and in 2015 they released their first full-length album, Grow (Sumerian Records). Pelisek left Chon near the end of the year, and the group toured with three different bassists after his departure, including Esiah, who officially re-joined the band in 2016. Chon's sophomore set, Homey, arrived in 2017, adding hip-hop and R&B influences to the group's sound. ~ Fred Thomas