Icarus Fixed brings mellow vibe to South Plains

by Jennifer Conlee, co-associate editor

From a band that used to be described by some as a “lame hippie group,” Icarus Fixed has become one of the best jazz and Indie bands on the South Plains.

Icarus Fixed is comprised of Jerry Serrano on lead vocals, guitar rhythm, and piano, Noel Ramirez on lead guitar and background vocals, Shaun Moralez on bass, and Rafael Guitron on drums.

The band started out as Nosmo King, several years ago.  Then, it included everyone but Moralez.

“Jerry (Serrano) was originally a trumpet player,” said Guitron.

Two years ago, the band merged into Icarus Fixed and added Moralez.

“When we started, we were really different,” said Ramirez. “Kind of funky.  Jerry stepped it up and became lead singer. Shaun (Moralez) has given us more edge…a little more heavy music that people want to hear.”

The band plays at various venues around town, including La Diosa, Bleacher’s, and Jake’s Backroom. They have already garnered a loyal following, which is something I noticed from having attended several of their performances.

The band plays haunting, mellow tunes, which were written by Serrano.

“I like making something that’s tragic and beautiful at the same time,” said Serrano, who explained that his songs can be about anything, such as life, girlfriends, ex-girlfriends, and even broken-down cars.

The band is a group of men doing something that they love to do.  As they each explained in their own words, their lives consist of family, work, and music.

“There’s not much time outside of family and this,” said Serrano, who is a student at Texas Tech University, working on a degree in musical composition.

For the talented musicians, the thrill of the stage and performing is simply a lifestyle.

“Since I was a little kid, I’ve always loved music,” said Ramirez. “It’s what I understand.”
It’s apparent from the emotions they display onstage that music is their passion.

“When you stop playing,” explained Moralez, “you go crazy.  It’s the only thing I’m decent at.  It’s the only thing I really want to do.”

For Guitron, the band provides stress relief from the outside world.

“I like meeting people,” he said.  “And there’s always the chance of a record label.  We’re working on a track right now, and saving up money for a record.”

I fell in love with the music of Icarus Fixed when I first heard them playing at Bash Riprock’s during a CD release party for SPC music instructor Anthony Garcia.

Serrano often performs with Garcia at different venues, alternating between their original songs.

“Jerry (Serrano) is not only one of my best friends, but also a great musician all around,” said Garcia. “He is a student of music. And I don't mean just getting his degree. When he is working on something, whether it is his original music, classical music, jazz, or his latest passion, Brazilian music, he focuses on details to get it right. Not only is he a competent technician, but also he is equally creative and has that flow of creativity that is essential in an artist.”

“His chords and melodies are not only catchy, but they are innovative,” Garcia added. “Jerry thinks like a classical musician, or a composer in the sense that he writes the music in his head. He thinks it all out like a person writing a symphony or chamber piece would.”

Garcia claims the band as one of his favorite local bands.

“Icarus Fixed is a band that performs well-constructed songs over beautiful soundscapes,” said Garcia. “They've got great energy. And it's interesting, since I am a personal friend with all the guys. It's great to hang out with them and talk and drink beer, but when they perform they all become different people in a positive sense. Their music transforms them as people.”

Because he has spent so much time with the band, Garcia has gotten to know each member quite well.

“Ralph's (Rafael Guitron) drumming is unique,” said Garcia. “He thinks outside the box and plays drum 'parts' as opposed to a predictable beat. His contribution is as much a part of the song as the melody or the lyrics.

“Noel plays the perfect lines, much in the sense like George Harrison (The Beatles), the Edge (U2), or John Frusciante (Chili Peppers) would play. Not flashy, but a subtle, necessary line. He employs good judgment and good taste in his playing.

“Sean (Moralez) is the newest member. He didn't write a lot of the parts to the old songs, but plays them as if he had. And he has brought the energy up on their live shows.”

Their music, which can be heard at www.myspace.com/icarusfixed, is the kind that I could sit and listen to for hours on end.  The band is another treasure that is waiting to be discovered in the South Plains area, and I’m glad I already found it.