The Krayolas

Formed during the mid-1970s in San Antonio, the Krayolas started out as teenage pop and rock performers before developing over the decades into one of Texas’ most admired independent rock acts. Singer, guitarist, and songwriter Hector Saldana launched the group in 1975 alongside his brother David Saldana, who supplied vocals, percussion, and occasional keyboard work. At a moment when arena rock ruled the airwaves and outlaw country dominated Texas tastes, the still-high-school-aged Saldana brothers presented a contrasting approach through upbeat pop songs built on ringing guitars, memorable hooks, and tight harmonies. With guitarist Van Baines and bassist Barry Smith also on board, the Krayolas performed regularly in local clubs and soon gained notice in San Antonio as “the Tex-Mex Beatles” thanks to their lively, retro-inflected style.

The band issued its first single, “All I Do Is Try” b/w “Sometime,” in 1977 and followed it later that year with a second 7-inch, “Aw Tonight” b/w “Roadrunner,” both on their own Box Records imprint. Over the ensuing years they maintained a consistent flow of singles while touring across the Southwest; Sir Douglas Quintet keyboardist Augie Meyers and the local legends known as the West Side Horns contributed to several sessions. Their debut full-length album, Kolored Music, appeared in 1982, with Dead End Life arriving in 1987. Despite favorable notices and a devoted regional audience, however, the Krayolas could not grow their following past Texas and Oklahoma, leading to the group’s dissolution in 1988.

Hector Saldana put together the 2007 compilation Best Riffs Only, which gathered previously out-of-print singles and assorted rare tracks; the band regrouped for supporting concerts, with Joe Sarli now handling bass duties. Around the same time Augie Meyers brought the group a long-lost demo he had written in 1967 for the Sir Douglas Quintet, encouraging them to record the track “Little Fox.” The resulting EP generated sufficient local airplay and critical approval to prompt a new full-length project, La Conquistadora, issued in 2008.

Once reunited, the Krayolas proved unexpectedly productive, maintaining an active performance schedule and delivering another album, Long Leaf Pine (No Smack Gum), in 2009. That record featured the song “Corrido Twelve Heads in a Bag,” a stark narrative of the Mexican drug wars cast in the manner of a traditional folk ballad; the track drew widespread attention, including a profile on National Public Radio. A further release, Americano, followed in 2010 as the band’s first bilingual effort and included guest contributions from Flaco Jiménez and Augie Meyers.