San Diego Reader

Steve Rodriguez: Bass guitar | Mario Escovedo: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric), Vocals | Ken Mochikoshi Horne: Guitar (acoustic), Guitar (electric) | Jarrod Lucas: Drums

Genre: Pop, Punk

Sound description: Punky garage pop.

RIYL: The Zeros, the Shambles, Manual Scan

Upcoming Local Shows

No shows scheduled | Post a show | View show history

Related Links

• "Strange Stage Stories" · April 21, 2013

• Blurt: "Requiemme Bags Bug" · May 25, 2011

• Concert Review: "Lord Howler and the Dragons Cause Pileup at Eleven" · Nov. 21, 2010

• Blurt: "One Night Stands" · Jan. 20, 2010

Synoposis

Inception: San Diego, 1990

Influences: The Zeros, the Ramones, Manual Scan, NE1, Four Eyes, the Crawdaddys, the Tell-Tale Hearts, Dead Boys, New York Dolls

Background:

Their name inspired by Thomas Harris's book Red Dragon, the Dragons were together for around thirteen years, releasing six albums.

Drummer Jarrod Lucas says it was an odd era to be playing around town. “I remember once, many years ago at the old Casbah, the Dragons were on stage and it happened to be my birthday. There was no mention of it and the show was running smoothly when, all of a sudden, the crowd separated to make way for a topless woman who appeared with a birthday cake and a lit match on each nipple, waiting for the song to end so I could blow out the 'candles.'”

After they split in late 2004, Mario Escovedo formed the Mario Escovedo Experience, or MEX. Members include former Dragon Jarrod Lucas on drums, Gerry Wasson (who has played with the Georgia Satellites and other Atlanta alums) on bass, Robbie Dodd (from Convoy) on guitar, and "Mocha" Joe Camacho on slide guitar and guitar.

Encinitas-based guitarist-turned-Jarana-player Ken Horne joined the Bronx (sometimes aka Mariachi El Bronx) in 2006. Local violinist Ray Suen (Louis XIV, the Killers) joined Mariachi El Bronx in early 2010.

The Dragons played a reunion gig at the Casbah in January, 2010. Guitarist Ken Horne appears on the 2012 Bob Dylan tribute full-length Chimes of Freedom, performing with Mariachi El Bronx. Locals Matt Hensley and Flogging Molly also appear on the tribute.

Discography