Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Hocus, Better Than You

Grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and get lost in Balboa Park with Hocus.
Grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and get lost in Balboa Park with Hocus.

Hocus is fronted by Lando Martinez (aka Fat Lando), who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2008 after serving 20 years. “I’m a rarity,” he says. “I’ve served my country honorably, and I write great songs. Plus, I’m retired and look 25.”

After playing their first show at O’Connell’s in January 2009, the band’s debut album Better Than You was nominated Best Local Recording at the 2010 San Diego Music Awards.

Martinez describes his songwriting as “A blend of ’90s, British, and today... I’d say Hocus music is like a smooth, relaxing drink with a twist of razor blades. Music that is melodic and raw at the same time. For being a three-piece, we make quite a ruckus.”

Hocus also includes bassist/singer Lorina Montejano (aka Lolita) and drummer Ryan Schilawski (aka Rhino). The trio appears in the upcoming documentary A San Diego Concert Film, which also features such locals as the Soft Pack, the Silent Comedy, and Transfer.

Hocus is working on a new CD slated for release later this year.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Lando Martinez:

1) The Doors, L.A. Woman. “Jim’s last hurrah — you can hear it in his voice. This album should be listened to late at night while driving.”

2) Stone Temple Pilots, No. 4. “Scott Weiland’s heroin album. He’s battling addiction, and his bandmates provide the soundtrack.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

3) Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a Madman. “The title track alone still gives me the heebie jeebies.”

Rhino:

1) Tom Waits, Anthology. “He’s so amazing because of the unique rhythmic hooks, the unconventional percussion, and his grotesque voice.”

2) Fu Manchu, We Must Obey. “They have heavy grooves in their sound.”

3) Superjoint Ritual, Use Once and Destroy. “The band jumps right into hard, abrasive punk.”

Lolita:

1) Joshua Bell, Romance of the Violin. “He picked great songs, and his intonation and style is to die for.”

2) Velfarre Cyber Trance 01. “Compilation of my favorite electronic-trance music.”

EVER BEEN INJURED ONSTAGE?

Martinez: “I sometimes slam my teeth into the mic, causing this horrible thud sound and either a chipped tooth or split lip.”

BEST VOICE IN SAN DIEGO?

Martinez: “If you want venom, spit, and hellfire delivered in an unforgettable performance, Vikki SexXx from Squirrelly Arts.”

Rhino: “Tori Roze of the Hot Mess.”

Lolita: “Emilio Conde from Montecristo.”

IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL, WHEN/WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT?

Rhino: “I would travel to the late ’80s and early ’90s and stop the DJ era from ever starting, so people would still care about making music instead of butchering it.”

Lolita: “1969, so I could see my idols like Janis, Jimi, and Johnny Cash.”

BEST PLACE TO HANG OUT FOR FREE?

Martinez: “The public library has free Wi-Fi, books, and a great DVD and CD collection. Enjoy your tax dollars.”

Rhino: “I grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and just get lost in Balboa Park.”

Lolita: “I hang out at bookstores in Hillcrest.”

FAVORITE CONCERT?

Martinez: “Velvet Revolver at Cricket Amphitheatre was great because you had three bands for the price of one. They played their music, Guns N’ Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots.”

Rhino: “The Vandals in 2003, when the Warped Tour was still kind of cool. They were so energetic.”

Lolita: “Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie. I’ve loved Ozzy forever, enough to get him tattooed on my ass, and Rob Zombie showed me what it was like to be horny at age ten.”

FIRST TIME YOU GOT DRUNK?

Martinez: “I was 14 in Dallas, Texas, being a fool with my friends. We slammed a 12-pack of Budweiser and drank a fifth of Jack Daniels. We were in a small park and, for whatever reason, there was a small cemetery and we decided to knock over all the tombstones.”

WHAT REMAINS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Martinez: “To go on tour with either Stone Temple Pilots or the Foo Fighters.”

Lolita: “Go to xLAN in New Zealand. It’s a computer-geek thing.”

YOUR BEST PICKUP LINE?

Martinez: “I’m in a band.”

Rhino: “If you were yogurt, would you be fruit at the bottom or stirred?”

Lolita: “Hi.”

SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Martinez: “I hate walking barefoot.”

Rhino: “I have a tattoo on the inside of my lower lip.”

Lolita: “I’m really a violinist.” ■

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Reader 1st place writing contest winner gets kudos

2nd place winner not so much
Next Article

San Diego's Uptown Planners challenged by renters from Vibrant Uptown

Two La Jolla planning groups fight for predominance
Grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and get lost in Balboa Park with Hocus.
Grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and get lost in Balboa Park with Hocus.

Hocus is fronted by Lando Martinez (aka Fat Lando), who retired from the U.S. Navy in 2008 after serving 20 years. “I’m a rarity,” he says. “I’ve served my country honorably, and I write great songs. Plus, I’m retired and look 25.”

After playing their first show at O’Connell’s in January 2009, the band’s debut album Better Than You was nominated Best Local Recording at the 2010 San Diego Music Awards.

Martinez describes his songwriting as “A blend of ’90s, British, and today... I’d say Hocus music is like a smooth, relaxing drink with a twist of razor blades. Music that is melodic and raw at the same time. For being a three-piece, we make quite a ruckus.”

Hocus also includes bassist/singer Lorina Montejano (aka Lolita) and drummer Ryan Schilawski (aka Rhino). The trio appears in the upcoming documentary A San Diego Concert Film, which also features such locals as the Soft Pack, the Silent Comedy, and Transfer.

Hocus is working on a new CD slated for release later this year.

WHAT’S IN YOUR MUSIC PLAYER?

Lando Martinez:

1) The Doors, L.A. Woman. “Jim’s last hurrah — you can hear it in his voice. This album should be listened to late at night while driving.”

2) Stone Temple Pilots, No. 4. “Scott Weiland’s heroin album. He’s battling addiction, and his bandmates provide the soundtrack.”

Sponsored
Sponsored

3) Ozzy Osbourne, Diary of a Madman. “The title track alone still gives me the heebie jeebies.”

Rhino:

1) Tom Waits, Anthology. “He’s so amazing because of the unique rhythmic hooks, the unconventional percussion, and his grotesque voice.”

2) Fu Manchu, We Must Obey. “They have heavy grooves in their sound.”

3) Superjoint Ritual, Use Once and Destroy. “The band jumps right into hard, abrasive punk.”

Lolita:

1) Joshua Bell, Romance of the Violin. “He picked great songs, and his intonation and style is to die for.”

2) Velfarre Cyber Trance 01. “Compilation of my favorite electronic-trance music.”

EVER BEEN INJURED ONSTAGE?

Martinez: “I sometimes slam my teeth into the mic, causing this horrible thud sound and either a chipped tooth or split lip.”

BEST VOICE IN SAN DIEGO?

Martinez: “If you want venom, spit, and hellfire delivered in an unforgettable performance, Vikki SexXx from Squirrelly Arts.”

Rhino: “Tori Roze of the Hot Mess.”

Lolita: “Emilio Conde from Montecristo.”

IF YOU COULD TIME TRAVEL, WHEN/WHERE WOULD YOU VISIT?

Rhino: “I would travel to the late ’80s and early ’90s and stop the DJ era from ever starting, so people would still care about making music instead of butchering it.”

Lolita: “1969, so I could see my idols like Janis, Jimi, and Johnny Cash.”

BEST PLACE TO HANG OUT FOR FREE?

Martinez: “The public library has free Wi-Fi, books, and a great DVD and CD collection. Enjoy your tax dollars.”

Rhino: “I grab some 40s and a Big Gulp cup and just get lost in Balboa Park.”

Lolita: “I hang out at bookstores in Hillcrest.”

FAVORITE CONCERT?

Martinez: “Velvet Revolver at Cricket Amphitheatre was great because you had three bands for the price of one. They played their music, Guns N’ Roses, and Stone Temple Pilots.”

Rhino: “The Vandals in 2003, when the Warped Tour was still kind of cool. They were so energetic.”

Lolita: “Ozzy Osbourne and Rob Zombie. I’ve loved Ozzy forever, enough to get him tattooed on my ass, and Rob Zombie showed me what it was like to be horny at age ten.”

FIRST TIME YOU GOT DRUNK?

Martinez: “I was 14 in Dallas, Texas, being a fool with my friends. We slammed a 12-pack of Budweiser and drank a fifth of Jack Daniels. We were in a small park and, for whatever reason, there was a small cemetery and we decided to knock over all the tombstones.”

WHAT REMAINS ON YOUR BUCKET LIST?

Martinez: “To go on tour with either Stone Temple Pilots or the Foo Fighters.”

Lolita: “Go to xLAN in New Zealand. It’s a computer-geek thing.”

YOUR BEST PICKUP LINE?

Martinez: “I’m in a band.”

Rhino: “If you were yogurt, would you be fruit at the bottom or stirred?”

Lolita: “Hi.”

SOMETHING WE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?

Martinez: “I hate walking barefoot.”

Rhino: “I have a tattoo on the inside of my lower lip.”

Lolita: “I’m really a violinist.” ■

Comments
Sponsored
Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Centennial Salute to San Diego’s Military, East Village Block Party, Birding Basics Class

Events March 29-March 30, 2024
Next Article

2024 continues to impress with yellowfin much closer to San Diego than they should be

New rockfish regulations coming this week as opener approaches
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.