Hola Diablo was formed sometime around November of
2002 when former members of Casino Evil: Christopher Pingor,
Christopher Christopher, Joe Ruck, and Greg Strosser searched
for a new bass player. Christopher Pingor asked his cousin
Joey to try out and Joey impressed the rest of Hola Diablo.
Hola Diablo’s lineup was now complete. Hola Diablo welcomed
Joe (Slappy) Goldstein into its ranks as a founding member.
Sometime
in 2005 Joe "Slappy" Goldstein left Hola Diablo
to pursue a new job and a college education. We wish him luck
in the future. Hola Diablo replaced Joe with Jay Searle and
also added Dan Black on keyboards and Melissa Balsamello.
on backing vocals. Hola Diablo took to the stage on May 14,
2005 with their new line-up.
Hola Diablo began playing high energy shows throughout New
Jersey. Their debut show was on June 14, 2003 at The Broadway
Central Café. They appeared with The Unidentified and
Bongo Jones. Chris Barry of The Aquarian Weekly and The World
Beyond Network later said that Hola Diablo is like “…Elvis
meets Wolfman Jack meets Mad Daddys and Munsters on Crack…”
and Christopher Christopher has the voice of a “…Strangled
Hillbilly Mortician…”. With such positive
reviews Hola Diablo continued to play shows throughout New
Jersey including The Court Tavern in New Brunswick, The Brighton
Bar in Long Branch, The Parkside Lounge in NYC, and Images
in Fairview. They have played with such bands as: Don Juan
Destroyer, The Unidentified, The Comrades, Six to Eight Mathematics,
Hunchback, and The Cryptkeeper 5.
Hola Diablo plays a hard rocking style of music and was Nominated
for the best roots rock band of 2003 at the Asbury Park Music
Awards. Their music contains frenzied guitars, complex drum
rhythms and intricate bass lines, creepy keyboards all of
which are complimented by Christopher Christopher’s
vocals and Melissa's backing vocals. Combined, you get high
energy mayhem full of fun lyrics and vicious guitar riffs
held together by pounding drums and intricate bass work.
Hola
Diablo is currently working on new material and playing local
bars and clubs in the New York and New Jersey area. They currently
have shows scheduled for October, November and December and
they are finally heading to Philidelphia on November 11th
to play The Barbary.
