...And The Hero Prevails

The love for music is the driving force that brought together one of San Benito’s very own local bands, “… And the Hero Prevails.”

“We started the idea of the band in 2009 with me and a couple of friends from high school, and we loved jamming so we decided to make a band,” said lead vocalist of the band, Troy Fonseca.

The five-member band consists Fonseca, 22; Andres “Dre” Munoz, 19, on drums; bass guitarist Zack Elizondo, 20; Erick Hernandez, 20, lead guitar; and Jeff Minor, 21, who plays the rhythm guitar.

Musical influences have played a major role in the band’s musical sound. “Growing up I was listening to Korn, Hoobastank, and Incubus so we’re fusing all are influences to make up the crazy rock sound we’re proud of,” Fonseca said.

The band has played in front of many audiences and performed on different stages while on tour, including their biggest stage yet, the Never Say Never festival. - Valley Morning Star

The San Benito rock band …And The Hero Prevails is one of the opening acts that will take the stage before Fuel at the Come and Take it Live venue in Austin.

“Fuel man,” Troy said loudly over the phone. “I remember being a kid and being into rock and Fuel was one of my favorite bands.”

He said Fuel had a big influence on their band, …And The Hero Prevails.

Fuel formed in 1993 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. They have sold more than 3.5 million records in the U.S. alone, and have scored a trio of releases with top five singles. The band has headlined its own sold-out tours, as well as supporting the likes of Aerosmith and Kid Rock.

“It’s super exciting. Hopefully, we get to meet the band,” Troy said. “It’s just cool and kind of like meeting childhood heroes.”

He said it blows their minds that the promoter thought “we are perfect to open for Fuel.”

“We are similar to Fuel and even heavier. We’re like rocker mixed with metal core,” Troy said.

The San Benito-based band formed in 2009 and got their start like any rock band — setting up in the back of the house.

He said the band’s biggest hit song so far is called “When We Sing Forever Long,” off the band’s latest EP called Nation of Acedia.

How they landed the gig

Troy said he tracks production companies who bring down bands because they are looking for openers and that is how they found their gig with Fuel.

“The promoter for the Fuel show posted on Facebook that they needed an opener. I emailed the guy right away and, boom, he put us on there,” Troy said.

“I sent him a couple YouTube links with a couple of tracks of ours.”

Troy said the band’s music is available on iTunes.

When they play locally it’s typically in McAllen. They usually have a show or two every month in the Valley.

He said the band recently finished recording a five-song cover EP that includes tunes from Chance the Rapper, Bruno Mars and The Weekend.

“We thought it would be really cool to take these popular songs and give them a rock twist,” Troy said.

The band is also working on their third full-length album.

“We are still working and still grinding,” Troy said - Valley Morning Star