The Aliso Project is a combination of distinct individuals that are as diverse as their life interests. We try to harness this diversity in order to create a distinctive sound and truthful lyrical content.

We take our name from the Aliso Village Housing Projects in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles, CA. where we, Salva and Wally, were raised. Twenty-Four years of struggle, guided by a well-respected community activist mother, who at times, was also the father figure. Her leadership set the stage for our outpouring of disdain, confusion and heartache.

We consider ourselves a band with a heavy edge sound. A sound that is a mix of influences, from old-school, local, backyard punk-rock, and straightedge hardcore bands they played with - to bands that we admired and followed while growing up like; INFEST, Seattle’s “Brotherhood” and DC’s Fugazi, to Cleveland’s heavy “Integrity” to East Coast Hardcore icons like Sick of It All, Judge, Killing Time and Youth Of Today, to new metal sounds of bands like Deftones, Helmet, and Korn.

We try to create a sound without falling into genre clichés or worrying if one song sounds "too raw" or if the structure is not "complex" enough. The songs are written the way they are played. We experiment, explore, and recombine "old" styles into something new. Our aim is to make the band's sound the most representative force in the band.

The band strives to retain the core values learned in the Boyle Heights back yard scene; Pumping heavy sounds while channeling complete heartfelt emotion wherever we play. The band prides itself on being difficult to classify in regards to sound, and believes in continuity between songs, rarely pausing when we play.

Our message is taken from the day to day experience of growing up in one of the most violent housing projects in the United States. We know that our stories are not unique to us or project life. The overall aim of this band is to let those that continue to struggle know that they are not alone and that there is hope. Hope that starts from within and without handouts....

INDIVIDUAL INTERESTS:

Salvatierra's (Throttle) music interests are rooted in the backyard Straight Edge Hardcore & Punk Rock scene of Boyle Heights. He also has interest in electronic music: Drum 'n Bass and Trance as a result of multiple sessions at Boyle Heights own The Shelter Digital Recording Studios. His father exposed him to classic rock and classic folk music from Mexico, specifically music from Veracruz. The Hardcore/Punk Scene exposed Salva to leftist views throughout his High School years and early college life where he ultimately got involved in native activism through the American Indian Movement. Salva makes it a point to expose his audience to the movement towards eradication of Native Culture by the U.S. Govt. and the church.

Wally (Strings) takes after his father's music interest. Both guitarists and both exposed to a variety of music early in life. Wally would often be seen at backyards at the age of 12 as he would accompany Salva's previous endeavors to any gig they played in. Quickly picking up tunes and riffs Wally was well on his way to playing heavy music. Wally's interest vary from classical
music to Metallica.

Raul (Spine) was raised in the city of Norwalk. He, too, followed Salva and Wally, at a young age (15) to backyard gigs in Boyle Heights. Raul, a former high school drum major, learned to play heavy music in jam sessions with Wally, and was guided by Salva's former band mates who mentored Raul's talent. Raul's influences center around Fear Factory, Slayer, Gwar and a recent interest in Rave music. Raul is notorious for changing his drum rhythms from show to show still allowing his band mates to follow along.