Biography
Fronted by a pair of distinguished roots-music figures, Los Fabulocos created a style they named Cali-Mex—an amalgam of blues, rock, R&B, cancionero, and Chicano elements that mirrors the diverse musical currents running through California’s Mexican-American communities. The group originated with Kid Ramos, born David Ramos, a widely respected blues guitarist whose career has encompassed tenures with the Fabulous Thunderbirds, the James Harman Band, and the Mannish Boys, in addition to his own solo recording and touring work. Ramos joined forces with vocalist and accordionist Jesus Cuevas, longtime leader of the East L.A. ensemble the Blazers, whose sound blended assorted Latin traditions with rock, blues, and surf inflections. United by a desire to perform music that fully reflected their combined cultural and artistic backgrounds, the two musicians launched Los Fabulocos. They completed the lineup with bassist James Barrios and drummer Mike Molina, after which the quartet quickly attracted listeners among blues and roots enthusiasts throughout California and Texas. Their debut release, the self-titled Los Fabulocos, appeared on Delta Groove Music in 2008; a follow-up album, Dos, followed in 2010. Momentum was interrupted in 2011 when Kid Ramos received a diagnosis of Ewing’s sarcoma, a rare cancer. Members of the Los Angeles blues and roots scene organized benefit events to help cover his medical expenses, and Ramos returned for a limited number of performances with the band in 2012 and 2013 whenever his condition allowed.
Albums
