Hip-hop rocker Black Hesher, producer J. Andrew, and Michael Fairchild of the Spice Pistols formed San Diablo Allstars, releasing their debut singles for “Hatchback” and “Lord Zilla” in late 2020. A debut album dropped December 4 on 8-track tape, in a run of 100 copies, before becoming available digitally.
“We’ve captured a one-of-a-kind sound that screams SoCal from start to finish,” says J. Andrew (aka Jason Nichols of Kavena), “with groundbreaking music, psychedelic flows, and anthem hooks. This will be the first feel-good album out of San Diego in a very long time.” J. Andrew’s album Time To Move featured Black Hesher on the track “Energy of 1000,” while Hesher’s recent full-length Sacrifices was mixed by Andrew, who also co-wrote the album track “Body Check.”
Andrew has also mixed songs for transplanted east coast rapper Katie Ladubz, as well as releasing a new solo single in late 2020 called “Exposed.” “I’ve been recording some new stuff of my own and plan on putting out a decent sized record in the beginning of next year. I was trying to put something out that kind of stuck to one style, but that ain’t fucking happening. My next album will definitely include plenty of genre-hopping madness.”
Black Hesher passed away in late April, 2021.
The band released a new album in May 2022, Field Guide to Modern Trauma, mixed and mastered with a new member in place of the late Van Bates, aka Black Hesher. "Sadly, Van Bates passed away last year during production of our second release 3 Piece Combo," says J. Andrew. "Last year, Van and I were talking about having Katie LaDubz join San Diablo for the third album. Mike Fairchild and I both agreed that San Diablo AllStars should keep the torch lit and continue down the road we started on. Van And Katie have been very close for many years, so we had no doubt that continuing San Diablo with Katie was not only the right thing to do, but also something Van would've wanted. So, Mike Fairchild, Katie LaDubz, and myself went to work on a new album with Van's spirit with us every step of the way."
Field Guide to Modern Trauma features local guests John Risdon, Diastro, and Blush.