| Blood of the Sun | |
|---|---|
 Blood of the Sun in 2018. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Fort Worth, Texas |
| Genres | Hard Rock, Stoner Rock |
| Years active | 2002 - Present |
| Labels | Brainticket, Listenable |
| Associated acts | Sourvein, Porn (The Men Of), Saint Vitus, Spirit Caravan, The Skull, Las Cruces, Stone Axe, Mos Generator, Convoy And The Cattlemen, Mountain Of Smoke, Steel Bearing Hand, The House Harkonnen, Covenant, Heaven's Force, Rotting Corpse, Storm At Sunrise, The Michael Schenker Group, Vanilla Fudge, Ted Nugent, Archie Bunker, Godfear, Hint Of Death, Steel Bearing Hand |
| Website | Blood of the Sun Facebook |
Blood of the Sun are a hard rock/stoner rock band based out of Fort Worth, Texas. Founded in 2002 by drummer Henry Vasquez and keyboardist Dave Gryder, the band's sound would be heavily influenced by 70s classic rock such as Uriah Heep, Foghat, Deep Purple, Humble Pie and Mountain (Which the band's name is taken from a Mountain song).[1][2] Vasquez, Gryder and later bassist Roger Yma would be the core members, with several guitarists and vocalists joining over the years.
History[]
Blood of the Sun would be founded in 2002 by Henry Vasquez (Archie Bunker, Sourvein) and Dave Gryder (Storm at Sunrise). Sometime after forming the band's lineup would flesh out with Sourvein bassist Miguel Veliz, Las Cruces vocalist Mark Zamarron and Archie Bunker guitarists Richard Christopher and Jay Benfield.[3] Recording at Crystal Clear Sound in the Summer of 2004, the eponymous Blood of The Sun saw release via Brainticket Records later that year on 28 November 2004.[4]
A follow-up would be recorded at Palmyra Studios with bassist Roger Yma joining, along with guitarists Rich Hurley and Ty Tompkins. Notably, Zammaron would leave the band as well, with the band changing into a quintet and Henry Vasquez performing vocals along with drums. In Blood We Rock saw release on 1 April 2007,[5] garnering positive reception.[6] Following tours of Europe (Including an appearance at Stoned From The Underground).[7]
In 2007, Derek St. Holmes would join the group, having previously been a guitarist and vocalist for Ted Nugent, Vanilla Fudge and The Michael Schenker Group. Recording in Texas and featuring two Lucifer's Friend covers, Death Ride would see release on 21 May 2008.[8] Blood of the Sun would tour SXSW and then Europe, including a marquee appearance at Roadburn Festival.[9] The band would perform steady shows into the next year, including Stoner Hands of Doom and sharing the stage with the likes of Solitude Aeturnus, Weedeater, Dixie Witch and Stone Axe among others.[10] Following a short string of shows with Saviours, the band's lineup would shift again as work began on a fourth album.[11]
Collaborating with members of Point Blank and Mos Generator bandleader Tony Reed, Blood of the Sun would sign with Listenable Records and release Burning on The Wings of Desire on 27 November 2012[12] to positive reviews.[13][14] Blood of the Sun would perform sporadic shows as a supporting act for the likes of Saint Vitus and The Skull, both bands Vasquez would join.
Sean Vargas would join on vocals in 2015 and later Steel Bearing Hand members Wyatt Burton and Alex Johnson would also join as the new guitarists. Working again with Tony Reed, Blood's Thicker Than Love would see release on 2 November 2018 to critical acclaim.[15][16][17] To support the album, Blood of the Sun would tour Europe with Lucifer, including appearances at Desertfest Belgium and Into The Void.[18]
Discography[]
Studio Albums[]
- Blood of The Sun (2004, Brainticket Records)
- In Blood We Rock (2007, Brainticket Records)
- Death Ride (2008, Brainticket Records)
- Burning on The Wings of Desire (2012, Listenable Records)
- Blood's Thicker Than Love (2018, Listenable Records)
Members[]
Current Members[]
- Henry Vasquez - Drums, Vocals (2002 - Present)
- Dave Gryder - Keyboards (2002 - Present)
- Roger Yma - Bass (2006 - Present)
- Sean Vargas - Vocals (2015 - Present)
- Wyatt Burton - Guitar (2017 - Present)
- Alex Johnson - Guitar, Vocals (2017 - Present)
Past Members[]
- Miguel Veliz - Bass (2002 - 2004)
- Mark Zammeron - Vocals (2002 - 2004)
- Richard Christopher - Guitar (2002 - 2004)
- Jayson Benfield - Guitar (2002 - 2004)
- Ty Tompkins - Guitar (2006 - ?)
- Rich Hurley - Guitar (2006 - ?)
- Derek St. Holmes - Vocals (2007 - ?)
- John O'Daniel - Vocals (2012 - ?)
- Rusty Burns - Guitar (2012 - ?)
- Tony Reed - Guitar, Bass (2012 - ?)
List of Known Tours[]
- 2007 European Tours (2007)[19]
- 2008 SXSW Tour (2008)[20]
- 2008 European Tour (With Mos Generator) (2008)[21]
- 2010 Mini-Tour (With Saviours) (2010)[22]
- 2018 European Tour (With Lucifer) (2018)[23]