It’s one thing to have a vision for undertaking a festival featuring nothing but musicians from your city. It’s another to put it on for free.
But to declare plans for a second and third annual installment before the first note of the inaugural event has even been played?
Well, that takes some major cajones. A few cascarones on Easter weekend didn’t hurt either.
Welcome to the first Chancla Academy Rock Fest.
Featuring 20 all-San Antonio artists and headlined by national homegrown metalcore quartet Upon A Burning Body, the Chancla Academy Rock Fest also invited 30-plus vendors and any metalhead who dared have a good time, and possibly discover bands with whom they may not have been familiar, upon the grounds of Alamo Beer Company on Saturday, April 8.
The brainchild of Joe Cordero of Chancla Academy and Julian “JC” Cruz of JC Productions, the festival was a rousing, nearly perfect success.
Prior to the big day, Cordero and UABB guitarist Ruben Alvarez told local Fox affiliate KABB-29 that next year’s event has already been scheduled for the Boeing Center at Tech Port. Cordero added he has aspirations to stage the 2025 fest at the Alamodome.
As he prepared to introduce UABB to culminate the noon-midnight event — did we mention it was free? — Cordero boldly told the packed crowd, “If we’re lucky, all of us Latinos will invade the Alamodome in 2025!”
Cordero was even more specific with Alamo True Metal, saying next year’s fest will be held over two days and that 162 bands have already requested to be a part of it. That’s right: 162.
But first things first.
As with any concert festival, a little luck is needed to make it a good one, and everyone benefited from a perfectly sunny day following two days of torrential downpours.
Two stages adorned the Alamo Beer Company with each band having its own merch booth spaced out among the vendors on artificial turf grounds stationed next to railroad tracks. Heck, even the train conductors slowed down and periodically checked out the festivities. Several four-legged friends, including an adorable large husky on hand as part of Horizon Dog Training, enjoyed the surroundings as well.
Some concert festivals are about specific songs and performances. This one was not only about having a good time in a large setting post-Covid but merely showcasing the musical talent.
Aztec Eagles got things rolling at 1 p.m. on the main stage. With UABB ending at 11 p.m., that marked 10 solid hours of actual live metal, San Antonio style (see 210-photo gallery to the right) and ATM videos below).
In between, the festival included Above My Enemy, Perfect Season, PRSNT, 40% Dolomite, The Broken Page, Forever For Now, Makaria, Eyes Like Fire, Skum, Grieved, The Heroine, Silent Minority, Recreating Eden, Westcreek, Cauterized, Any Color You Like, Raven’s Banquet (formerly Quaranteen) and In Balance. Click on the bold links to watch ATM’s Facebook Live footage of that band plus “King of Diamonds” and “Built From War” by Upon A Burning Body here.
A few highlights that deserve shout-outs:
— Recreating Eden vocalist Andrew Douglas has some serious pipes and clearly sings from the heart, while his bandmates created a lasting impression for this viewer witnessing them on stage for the first time
— The second stage in the parking lot was where the serious action was, highlighted by Cauterized allowing fans to come onto the platform and partake in singing
— Skum brought the energy to the main stage and arguably had the largest pits. It was the only band to attempt a Wall of Death, so that earned bonus points
— The Heroine’s longevity cannot be ignored. The group has been flying the flag for San Antonio hard rock and metal for more than 15 years — or as long as most of the Chancla Academy Rock Fest’s roster of mostly up-and-coming bands combined. Vocalist Lynnwood King, guitarist David Arias, bassist Wes “Guhlie” Vargulish and drummer Johnny Lightning bring it every time out
— Security and staff deserved major props. As is the case with most UABB shows, the barrier began to shake, rattle and roll even before the band was about to hit the stage upon P.A. completion of Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ On A Prayer.” But the guards had the scene under control and guided all body surfers to safety without incident
— Moshers helped fallen brethren to their feet. No fights or out-of-hand situations were to be found. And the music and beer flowed freely. Literally
Sure, the festival could have kept fans up to date with set times posted the week of, or at the very least day of the show on its own Facebook events page rather than forcing patrons to ask about them or only obtain them on site for a 12-hour event. And it would’ve been great to have food-truck options rather than be relegated to Alamo Beer Company’s limited (though delicious) menu.
But for a city that was forced to bid farewell to the River City Rockfest after the sixth annual rendition in 2018, it appears the Chancla Academy Rock Fest may just be San Antonio’s saving grace for metalheads to unite on a yearly festival basis.
Its free status is sure to say goodbye at next year’s cashless Boeing Center. And the fest most certainly figures to expand well beyond the exclusively local-band flavor of this year’s showing. But those are signs of growth sorely needed for our metal scene.
So what’s the best way to sum up the inaugural Chancla Academy Rock Fest? It was a prime example of the metal community coming together.
The way it should be. In the 2-1-0.
Chanclas optional.
UPON A BURNING BODY
Singer Danny Leal, guitarist Ruben Alvarez and drummer Tito Felix of the national metalcore group from San Antonio headlines the first Chancla Academy Rock Fest last Saturday night at Alamo Beer Company that featured 20 local bands (photos & videos by Jay Nanda / Alamo True Metal)
FOREVER FOR NOW
The group performs on the second stage last Saturday afternoon.
THE HEROINE
Johnny Lightning and his longtime San Antonio band had a 30-minute set on the main stage.
CHANCLA ACADEMY ROCK FEST
With the help of Julian Cruz’s JC Productions, the festival was the brainchild of Joe Cordero, who tells the fans upon introducing Upon A Burning Body that next year’s edition will be held at Boeing Center at Tech Port.
The 20-local band metal event was friendly to fans of all ages, even of the four-legged variety.
UPON A BURNING BODY
The fans helped make the free Chancla Academy Rock Fest a big success.
CAUTERIZED
The band allowed fans to come up and partake in the singing and fun on the second stage during its set.
THE BROKEN PAGE
Watch ATM’s Facebook Live clip of the band performing “I Lie” within this article and below the photo gallery via YouTube footage of “Vitalized.”
SKUM
Watch ATM’s YouTube footage of the band below.
RECREATING EDEN
Watch ATM’s YouTube footage of the band below.
THE HEROINE
David Arias shreds on lead guitar.
WESTCREEK
The local artist debuted on the live scene last September at 502 Bar, which ATM also covered, and has since added a fifth member.
CHANCLA ACADEMY ROCK FEST
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
Vocalist Lynnwood King lets it all out on the main stage.
CAUTERIZED
The pits begin to swirl.
MAKARIA
The quintet was one of several metalcore bands on the bill.
RAVEN'S BANQUET
The group formerly known as Quaranteen received high billing on the main stage, playing just prior to headliners Upon A Burning Body.
This adorable dog was lounging all day long as part of Horizon Dog Training’s vendor booth.
RECREATING EDEN
SILENT MINORITY
THE HEROINE
IN BALANCE
UPON A BURNING BODY
A fan lands in the safe arms of security as the barrier began to rattle for the main act.
THE HEROINE
Wes “Guhlie” Vargulish has been rocking the bass in one of San Antonio’s longest-standing bands for more than 15 years.
CAUTERIZED
EYES LIKE FIRE
SKUM
THE HEROINE
WESTCREEK
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
RAVEN'S BANQUET
Watch ATM YouTube footage at the bottom of the group performing back-to-back covers of Megadeth and Alter Bridge.
THE BROKEN PAGE
RECREATING EDEN
FOREVER FOR NOW
An inflatable raft didn’t stand a chance in the second stage parking lot.
GRIEVED
THE HEROINE
SKUM
CAUTERIZED
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
Plenty of benches were made available on the artificial turf grounds of Alamo Beer Company.
40% DOLOMITE
CHANCLA ACADEMY ROCK FEST
Cordero tells the audience, “If we’re lucky, all of us Latinos will invade the Alamodome in 2025.”
RECREATING EDEN
ANY COLOR YOU LIKE
THE HEROINE
CAUTERIZED
RAVEN'S BANQUET
MAKARIA
FOREVER FOR NOW
RECREATING EDEN
THE HEROINE
SILENT MINORITY
WESTCREEK
Horizon Dog Training was one of nearly 30 vendors on hand.
THE HEROINE
THE BROKEN PAGE
IN BALANCE
CAUTERIZED
RAVEN'S BANQUET
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
RECREATING EDEN
FOREVER FOR NOW
MAKARIA
SKUM
FOREVER FOR NOW
WESTCREEK
THE HEROINE
SKUM
RAVEN'S BANQUET
THE BROKEN PAGE
AZTEC EAGLES
THE HEROINE
CAUTERIZED
ANY COLOR YOU LIKE
WESTCREEK
UPON A BURNING BODY
SILENT MINORITY
RECREATING EDEN
CAUTERIZED
Fans help a couple of fallen comrades to their feet in the pits.
THE HEROINE
WESTCREEK
RAVEN'S BANQUET
THE BROKEN PAGE
Merch aplenty waits to be sold at the band’s booth.
CAUTERIZED
RECREATING EDEN
FOREVER FOR NOW
THE BROKEN PAGE
MAKARIA
SKUM
EYES LIKE FIRE
THE BROKEN PAGE
GRIEVED
THE HEROINE
SKUM
The pit turns up the intensity prior to fans doing the Wall of Death.
RECREATING EDEN
CAUTERIZED
THE HEROINE
THE BROKEN PAGE
RAVEN'S BANQUET
RECREATING EDEN
Colorful decorations for any nightstand
WESTCREEK
SILENT MINORITY
FOREVER FOR NOW
UPON A BURNING BODY
GRIEVED
CHANCLA ACADEMY ROCK FEST
RECREATING EDEN
CAUTERIZED
FOREVER FOR NOW
SKUM
UPON A BURNING BODY
Watch ATM Facebook Live footage within of “King of Diamonds” and “Built From War” plus YouTube footage of “Middle Finger to the World” at the bottom.
WESTCREEK
THE HEROINE
RECREATING EDEN
CAUTERIZED
MAKARIA
WESTCREEK
40% DOLOMITE
RAVEN'S BANQUET
CAUTERIZED
Fans take over the second stage for part of a song.
THE BROKEN PAGE
ANY COLOR YOU LIKE
FOREVER FOR NOW
EYES LIKE FIRE
WESTCREEK
SKUM
RECREATING EDEN
CAUTERIZED
Watch ATM Facebook Live footage of “Hypocrite” within the article plus YouTube access of “Fake Prophecy” at the bottom of the photo gallery.
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
The vocalist of “Hardworking Man,” which can be seen via ATM’s YouTube footage below, relaxes at his merch booth prior to the set.
RAVEN'S BANQUET
Vendors and fans enjoy the festivities.
IN BALANCE
RAVEN'S BANQUET
FOREVER FOR NOW
ALAMO BEER COMPANY
THE HEROINE
MAKARIA
WESTCREEK
IN BALANCE
THE HEROINE
ANY COLOR YOU LIKE
CAUTERIZED
UPON A BURNING BODY
Thomas Alvarez provides some backup vocals on bass.
THE HEROINE
FOREVER FOR NOW
RAVEN'S BANQUET
SKUM
WESTCREEK
IN BALANCE
40% DOLOMITE
RAVEN'S BANQUET
MAKARIA
WESTCREEK
Yes, that is a Westcreek shirt in the form of the Whataburger logo.
THE BROKEN PAGE
ANY COLOR YOU LIKE
FOREVER FOR NOW
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
UPON A BURNING BODY
40% DOLOMITE
THE BROKEN PAGE
FOREVER FOR NOW
MAKARIA
GRIEVED
THE BROKEN PAGE
EYES LIKE FIRE
THE HEROINE
EYES LIKE FIRE
Horizon Dog Training spells out its services.
MAKARIA
SKUM
GRIEVED
Fans take in the festival from above and ground level.
THE HEROINE
FOREVER FOR NOW
MAKARIA
UPON A BURNING BODY
An autographed poster was part of the band’s merch booth inside Alamo Beer Company.
EYES LIKE FIRE
GRIEVED
SKUM
THE HEROINE
THE BROKEN PAGE
The setlist includes ATM footage of “I Lie” and “Vitalized.”
SKUM
MAKARIA
EYES LIKE FIRE
SKUM
MAKARIA
EYES LIKE FIRE
SKUM
THE HEROINE
EYES LIKE FIRE
SKUM
GRIEVED
UPON A BURNING BODY
THE HEROINE
Watch ATM Facebook Live footage of “Drifter” within the article.