The Dragons

DRAGONS

Biography

The Dragons formed in 1991 in their hometown of San Diego, CA. Fronted by Mario Escovedo, the youngest in the long line of the famous Escovedo clan (Alejandro from The Nuns and Rank n’ File, Coke from Santana, Pete from Azteca, Sheila E from Prince’s band, and Javier from The Zeros), the band excelled at a brand of whiskey-soaked, dirty, glammy rock n’ roll made all their own, but influenced by The New York Dolls, Hanoi Rocks, The Wildhearts and the Rolling Stones. Touring continuously, opening for bands ranging from X to The Hellacopters and receiving critical acclaim at numerous SXSW music festivals led the band to a large underground fan base. Touring Japan with Guitarwolf opened the band to a wider audience internationally, where they promoted their 3 full-length albums released on Junk Records. They also released a (now out of print) 7” on Gearhead Records, prior to signing with the label called Whoa Yeah. In 2003, they signed with Gearhead Records, and released Sin Salvation featuring an ode to famous DJs John Peel and Rodney Bingenheimer called ”Dirty Bomb”, which was also released as a single with a non-LP b-side. In 2004, Gearhead reissued their record Rock n Roll Kamikaze, remixed, remastered and with 5 extra tracks from the original Junk recording sessions. Set to open for The Wildhearts on their first national tour of the US in 2004, that tour fell through when The Wildhearts were invited by The Darkness to open for them.

The Dragons called in quits in 2005 after the group decided it was time to pursue other interests. Today Mario fronts his own Tex-Mex band The Mario Escovedo Experience, and lead guitarist Ken Horne plays with The Bronx.