Last month Psychostasia hooked up with Johnny Punish and composed "9/11 TRUTH ROCK" a rock opera tune dedicated to the 10 year memorial anniversary of the attacks of 9/11; dedicated both to the lives and truth both lost in the decade since, Psychostasia composed the music while Johnny Punish brought in the lyrics, attitude, and lead vocals.

Live stream the song at http://www.reverbnation.com/artist/artist_songs/463267 [less]

Brothers David and Daniel Cordero, of the Lakeside rock band Psychostasia, have received notice that one of their original song compositions has been selected as a finalist in the 2010-2011 Great American Song contest. The song, You Must Find Me, is one of over 100 originals written by the Corderos, who are originally from Colorado but have lived in Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos for the past 17 years.

More than 1600 songwriters from 45 countries were evaluated by 15 music industry professionals such as Dennis R. Sinnott, London-based director of EMI Music Publishing; Rob Wright, radio host and talent scout at Sony A&R Department; and Brett Perkins, head of the National Academy of Songwriters.

In evaluating the song You Must Find Me, judges wrote, “Your heartfelt, emotional melody and your performance reflect your passion and conviction. Along with your impressive poetics, this is a wonderful composition.”

Rating nine categories related to lyrics and melody on a scale of 1 -10, the judges said songs which scored in the 5.0 range indicates that the composer “is clearly a good songwriter.” A score of 8 or above "indicates a great songwriter." The Psychostasia song scored a combined 8.8. with three categories rated 10.

Because Great American Song judges focus only on lyrics, melody & song structure — NOT on vocal performances, instrumentation or recording quality, the Cordero brothers forwarded a “demo” (not the final recording) version of You Must Find Me. The demo version of the song can be heard at http://www.myspace.com/psychostasia.

This is not the first time Psychostasia’s talent has been singled out. They were:
• grand prize winners in the worldwide “Best of Bands” contest in 2008
• named “One of the 10 best rock bands in North America“ by Black Mountain Productions
• voted Indie Rock Music’s “Band of the Year” for 2009
• voted Rock Music’s “Video of the Year“ for 2009 (Jonesin’)
• named winner of the “Most Original in Rock” by GarageBand.com in 2010
• called “A band headed for stardom” by Vegas Rocks magazine
• chosen as one of five finalists for a major motion picture soundtrack in 2009
• called “The best rock group in Mexico!” by Televisa’s Beno Albarrán
• featured in a two-page spread in the Mexico magazine Leyendas del Rock (Rock Legends)

To date, all of Psychostasia’s songs have been written by David and Daniel Cordero. “It isn’t easy to reach out to the world music scene from a little pueblo like Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos,” says the songwriting duo, “but we’re trying,”

Psychostasia is currently finalizing songs for their second CD, still to be titled. Other songs by Psychostasia can be heard at http://www.psychostasiamusic.com, with new songs to be posted soon. [less]

Psychostasia: An ancient Greek word referring to the spiritual weighing of souls prior to battle, to determine the combatant most worthy of winning. [less]

DAVID CORDERO

David was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, and raised in Texas and Colorado. He began composing original songs at the age of 16, shortly after moving to Mexico. He brought his electric guitar across the border, and devoted every spare moment to exploring its possibilities. His favorite pasttime was, as David calls it: “noodling,” experimenting with different sounds, chords, and strumming and fretting techniques. Today, David is also an accomplished drummer and acoustic guitarist.

In 1995, David and brother Daniel, both sound engineers, started an in-house recording studio called SilverChord Studio. Over the years in their large adobe-walled studio, the brothers have recorded numerous jingles, commercials, and bands in a variety of genres. It was there that they recorded the demo of their first album, with David and Dan playing all instruments. The final product was later recorded at a larger studio in Guadalajara.

As David’s “day job” while Psychostasia takes off, he is a graphic designer and certified Photoshop expert. Most of Psychostasia‘s design work is done by David.

Off-stage, David might be seen as the most serious member. However, anyone who has seen him get down and party can tell you that impression is deceiving! On-stage, David definitely puts the introverted, serious image to rest with body contortions and flying, waist-length hair, along with his own particular style and innovative riffs. Playing for sheer enjoyment of the music itself, it’s payoff time for all those hours spent “noodling.” [less]

DANIEL CORDERO

Daniel Cordero was born in Texas and raised in Colorado. He began composing original songs at the age of 14, shortly after moving to Mexico.

Today, Daniel sings and plays ten instruments. As lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Psychostasia, he is an exceptionally accomplished classical and acoustic guitarist and bassist, and also a very competent keyboardist, drummer and harmonica player.

In what Dan calls his “day job” while Psychostasia takes off, he is a solo entertainer, singing originals and all-time favorites in both Spanish and English — everything from rock, blues, ballads, reggae, and Latin — with a classical guitar and occasionally a harmonica as his only accompaniment. Offering a repertoire of 500 titles and his distinctive singing style, Daniel has gained a large following performing in the local and resort areas of Mexico. Sample songs from his 2006 acoustic/unplugged album, “Daniel Cordero: LIVE at the Hideaway,” can be heard at www.danielcordero.com.

Daniel’s passion is music and learning about the many facets of sound. He loves to perform — which he is invariably is asked to do wherever he goes. He enjoys singing and playing so much that he must usually be reminded to take a break after only two or three hours behind the mic. Frequently called an “old soul” by those around him, Daniel is very laid-back and mellow off-stage. Onstage, he transforms into a compelling, dynamic performer and entertainer. In the words of his fans, Daniel was born to be on-stage. [less]

Bryan James was the youngest member Psychostasia, but also the one with the most years of performance experience. Tall, blonde and long-haired, Bryan is often mistaken for a third Cordero brother, until one sees those baby blue eyes.

Bryan James

Born in Colorado, Bryan has lived most of his life in Mexico, and is the son of a professional musician and a nightclub owner/real estate broker. At the astonishing age of only four, Bryan began performing as drummer for the house band in the family nightclub. His “Wipeout” solo, in particular, always brought the crowd to its feet with thundering applause.

It was only a matter of time before Bryan’s interest spread to include guitar and bass. Today, Bryan is the owner of a music store and recording studio called Mundo Musical in Chapala, Jalisco. In his daytime hours, he gives guitar lessons. Bryan delights in seeing his students starting bands of their own in the area as the trend toward rock music finally sweeps through Mexico.

Offstage, Bryan is spontaneous and outgoing. He cracks jokes, and makes no bones about liking the girls. Onstage, he plays a mean bass and has great moves, never failing to convince the audience that he must also be a great dancer!

It was not until late 2006 that Bryan, Diego, David and Dan decided to finally join forces and together become Psychostasia.

In 2009, Bryan stepped out of the Psychostasia and into the Bryan James Band. While with Psychostasia, Bryan added amazing depth the music bringing in charisma and style. Like all things in the Universe, evolution and expansion are a constant and both Bryan and Psychostasia must adhere to the forces of nature.

SOURCES: Bryan James Band - http://www.reverbnation.com/bryanjamesband [less]

Diego the Drummer has left the Psychostasia.

Diego is the oldest of 12 siblings, all born in Mexico to a multi-generational family of well-known and accomplished musicians. With no lack of family encouragement, Diego started playing drums at age four.

Over the years, Diego has mastered almost every type of rhythm imaginable, from mambo, salsa, blues, jazz, rock in all its variations, and more. He is constantly creating, coming up with new beats, experimenting with the unexpected. His performances are rock-solid. Young as he is, this guy can play anything, and play it right!

Off-stage, Diego is humble and unassuming, always the jokester. On-stage is a different story, however. There, Diego is deadly serious and doesn’t hesitate to get flamboyantly wild. He has been known to dye his hair any color, cut or style it in whatever crazy look he’s into at the moment, pierce anything, and twirl and toss his drumsticks with skillful abandon.

It is interesting to note that Diego bears the same name as one of Mexico’s most famous painters. Like his namesake, Psychostasia’s Diego is a talented artist; his colorful murals can be seen in public plazas and businesses around the area.

Diego is the true athlete of the group, giving him almost unlimited stamina when perched on Psychostasia’s drum throne.

Diego will be missed as he moves into the music sunset and into the history books of the Psychostasia. [less]

Lake Chapala rock band Psychostasia was selected as one of “the 20 hottest unsigned rock groups in North America” by the A&R team at Black Mountain Productions. As one of the 20 chosen bands (the only one outside of the US), Psychostasia competed in the Live Indie Rock Wars in Las Vegas April 25-27, 2008.

The event was broadcasted live to over 500,000 viewers worldwide. The Rock Wars were presented by Black Mountain Productions and CD Pulse, in cooperation with The Grammy Foundation.

For the first time ever in the history of Independent Music, the Live Indie Rock Wars were broadcasted in “Live Real Time TV” around the globe. Friends and fans watched the event on their hometown TV’s, iPods, Smartphones and computer monitors. Also, the event was broadcasted over Live ESPN and FOX5 remote radio shows.

The Live Indie Rock Wars took place on a floating stage in Lake Las Vegas. A panel of internationally recognized, music-industry judges evaluated each band’s performance in half-hour sets, selecting ten finalists to perform again.

The winning band received a two-year $50,000-dollar recording, promotional and management contract. Second and third-place winners will received $5000 and $2500 in cash (respectively) and a media package from Coast to Coast Public Relations and Vegas Rocks Magazine. Winners were announced after the competition completion.

All songs performed at the event were original compositions. Competing bands were chosen from among independent, unsigned artists throughout the US, Canada and Mexico. As the only selected group that had to travel internationally to get there, Psychostasia relied on sponsors to help pay the cost.

At the event, Psychostasia was comprised of Daniel Cordero (lead singer and rhythm guitarist), David Cordero (lead guitarist), Bryan James (bassist) and Diego Rivera (drummer), all of the Lake Chapala, Jalisco, area.

SOURCES:

TOP 20 ROCK WAR BANDS: http://www.blackmountainproductions.com/specialevents/top20rockwarsbands.html [less]