Benjamin Esparza - © Break Records, Inc.

During many years in the arts, painting, composing, performing musician, and founding member of the 60's East Los Angeles group the "Acostics". Having enjoyed crafting the artistic spirit, first discovered by parents Socorro and Alfredo Esparza. Raised in East Los Angeles, I was quite a handful or so I'm told by mom, who remembers teachers writing comments on returned homework assignments, stating that the "art" was a solid "A", but I may want to work a little bit harder on my homework assignment! Those same teachers would use my sketches and paintings produced by me, as examples in their art classes. I later learned this from younger relatives who had the same teachers.
Early on, I discovered and fell in love with the world of music, which was always present at home. Mom and dad both loved singing, and were both very good amateur musicians. They, along with aunts and uncles would sing, and play their music at family parties. Many parties lasting till the early dawn, or until the "Real" Mexican food was gone, and there was always plenty of great food, and drink to go around. . . . . .
After much pleading, begging, and much pestering by me, mom and dad finally said we could go look, and see what we could find. One overcast Saturday afternoon we went looking, but this time dad had found what he was looking for, and purchased my first guitar. It was an acoustic, that was light in color almost white with light yellow sides, it was also very light in weight, and strung with nylon strings. We found it in an old pawn shop located in the heart of old downtown Los Angeles, on Main Street, where there were many such pawn shops. I was then about ten or eleven years old when we found that perfect guitar. I still recall both of them saying to me over and over, that guitar is not a "Toy", take care of "IT", and how expensive "IT" was, and then, they would start over again, and again. I knew, even as a kid what a financial hardship that purchase was for them, that made their gift to me that day very special, and one special day, I'll never forget.
Dad taught me the basics, told me to practice, practice, practice, and boy did I ever practice. I was the child possessed, practicing every minute I could, even at night. I would practice way past my bed time, which was 9 pm sharp, or until finally hearing dad yell from the house, "OK - Stop It, STOP making all that noise, go to sleep - RIGHT NOW - GOOO TOOO SLEEEEP! Then about a month or so later, dad noticed my guitar lying face down on the couch, upon picking it up to play, and after a quick exam, he noticed just how mistreated it was. It looked many, many years older than just a month ago when he bought it, and now it extremely worn, tattered, and scratched, while under my care. Soon after, deciding to confront and ask me what happened and why I had allowed this to occur. Walking towards my room one evening after returning from work, he stood just outside by the door listening. Listening to the music, he noticed the level of progress I had made in just one short month. I was now singing and able to play complete songs, from start to finsh. He waited for me complete the song, before starting to speaking. I can still remember the look on his face, as he ask those many questions, such as who taught you that, and how did I learn to do that, and how did you learn so quickly? There was no anger in dad that evening, but rather a confused, but very glad look in his face at what he was now witnessing. He never got around to asking about the terrible condition of the guitar, and I never brought it up. He did ask again how I learned so to play so quickly? I simply replied that I listening to the radio and then copied what I heard, that's all, and that I enjoyed doing that. That evening I learned that old beat up guitar would become more than just an instrument to us. That evening we spoke late into the warm night, it was a bonding point moment for both of us. A place where we would meet and speak freely of many things, while strumming that old tattered guitar, and singing some old Mexican songs he knew together, all talking of his youth in Mexico, and things from his past. We even played some old Beatle songs, the two I remember so well were "Do You Want To Know A Secret", and "Till There Was You", both sounding like "Old Mexican Boleros" when dad sang them. Our subjects usually varied, but were always interesting, and sometimes we even got around to speak of music. That was a wonderful place to be as son and father thing, musicians, and best of all as have a chance to know each other very well. All though I must say, during the course of our many conversations, we didn't always see eye to eye, I guess that was our generation gap, but this gave us an opportunity, a place, and a platform to speak openly about things. I thanked him years later for that wonderful time we shared together, I think of him now, those times every time I see that old junky beat up guitar. I don't use it much any more, it now serves as a reminder, full with wonderful warm memories he and I shared. A simpler time so very long ago, and of a warm firmilar place.
Strangely enough, dad only heard the group and I perform only once at a friend's wedding which he and mom attended. After our performance I had an opportunity to asked if he enjoyed our music, and what he thought of it, he just proudly smiled and said, with a break in his voice, "Si . . . Mucho", "Papa, Gracias" was all said. We hugged, one of the few times he was able to do that, I simply smiled, and felt so glad and proud, that he was my dad. That was another hidden benefit, which came when they purchased that old wonderful pale white, beat up piece of a wood guitar for me, so long ago. . . . .
I then started my first band, at same time started to compose simple original tunes. My first composition was titled "Mine" which was an instrumental piece, performing it in a jr. high school talent show. Later I was asked to perform at school dances with some friends from school who also had instruments. My first real group was a quartet, which included two Fonseca brothers, who lived in the near by "Maravilla" housing projects of East L. A., and a friend named Albert Lemus. We decided the group needed a name, and on a lark one day, deciding on the "Slobs, Inc.", because, we all looked like slobs that day, the name stuck, and we became the Slobs Inc. Learning to played lead guitar in the group was something we needed, but something I wanted to do. This provided an opportunity to learn, and explorethe guitar much deeper, and it was also more fun, and allowed freedom to improvise during guitar fills and solos, making sure there were always solos included in every song we performed. We were a young and very loud group, and did I mension we were loud! That was the loud musical learning phase in my career, but by providing the vocals and lead guitar for the group that set the next stage in motion in my music career. My next group would the "Acostics" © Break Records
The "Acostics" was a quintet, consisting of local neighborhood musicans and friends. The group quickly developed and became popular on the East Side music scene, and in demand. The group performed at every opportunity, including local dances, concert venues, halls, political rallies, civil protests, at many school activities, and even at local bars, while still under age. It was a great learning experience for me, and great fun for all in the group.
Early in my musical career, started to compose and arrange music in the group, constantly searching for musical identity and a unique Acostic sound. Looking back, at those original compositions they were very different, off center from the rough east-side neighborhood where we lived. The music incorporated mood, and space along with simple and complex cord progressions, some pieces contained complex melodies, incorporating three or four part vocal harmonies, with lyrics from original poetry writings. The music spoke of socially relevant events of that time. Some, combined progressive pop, soul, and blues charts, while others were constructed, and set to classical style instrumental movements. Some material was long, as much as ten minutes long, and when performed live we would use both acoustic and electric instrumentation. This was our unique style, a bit rough, and certainly different, some even said odd for that time, but it was different from the well known Eastside sound of that day.
Those music master recordings were lost until recently, when they were discovered in an old box, in a garage. During the 60's our oringinal music was only performed at concert venues or special events usually outside of East Los Angeles, where it seemed to receive positive reviews.
Break Records is currently scheduling re-mastering efforts of the original recordings. The new CD will be titled: "Acostics - 1968 Lost Studio Sessions". The CD is scheduled for 2009 release.
By: Benjamin Esparza - Music Producer - © Break Records

The Acostics:
During the turbulent 1960's, popular music in East L. A. was simple, direct, and uncomplicated, simple music with simple lyric, such as: La, La, La, La, and "Let Take A Trip Down Whittier Blvd . . . . ." all very innocent, but very catchy! The eastside sound was also very different from other music furing that time. Our group, also covered radio's top ten music, but we always worked hard to transform that music into the Acostic sound. The success of the group came early in our career, then winning 1st place, and a tour to Japan, at the "Teenage Fair Battle of the Bands", which was held at the Hollywood Palladium in 1968. Esparza is currently penning his movie script detailing those events. The script is titled "Take A Stand", and it seems that he has already completed the title track for the project, also titled "Take A Stand". His script details the events leading up to, and following the Acostic win and eventual tour of Japan.
Imagine 1968 America, sending five Mexican-American kids to Japan representing America's youth, in Japan, what a concept!
His story explores another America, with all its tradition, unique music, and problems of that day, as seen through the eyes of five (5) young Mexican-America musicans. They are supported by their many eastside fans, friends, and family members. The story is told first hand by one of the principals who experienced those uncertain times in America. A true and compelling American tail of music, and humor in not so long ago in America, using history's circumstances to re-tell this coming of age tail. While providing the viewers a chance to know those wonderful and unforgettable friends and characters. Who in the beginning of this uplifting tail are introduced as simple stereotypical Mexicans, who are carfully crafted and transformed, they come to life, providing a colorful tapestry of sights and sounds of another America, just around the corner from you and where you live.
See How They "Take A Stand". © Break Records

Break Records:
Mr. Esparza has become a visionary music producer. Brings art together to create exciting musical sounds, employing all aspects of the arts to recording, combined together to produce polished and professional recording projects. In 1985, Esparza decided to expand starting, creating, and successfully operate his own independent record label. The record label is "Break Records, Inc."(BRI). The idea to creating a label, was to give his group creative control over their recording projects. Break Records has over the years successfully developed and introduced new recording talent to the world of music, working with many in the main stream recording industry. Break Records has a focused on success, producing quality music projects. The label employs many top industry professionals, many having successfully driving recording projects for film and television. Providing A & R to develope young talent into mature recording artist. Break Records continues our "special focus projects" department designed to re-introduce established recording artist from the past, bring them together with new ideas to expand career paths and re-ignite public interest. Providing the opportunity for media exposure, new music and fruitful projects to showcase their unique talents to new generations of fans, and in the process hopefully energize their old fan base.
Professional experience include major films projects, TV executives, and film producers, directors, and record industry executives. Break Records continues to be the rebel in the industry, working outside the convensional box, without limits to inhibit creativity. There are "No Rules" to the creative process, only results. Break Records has produced recordings in English, Spanish, and yes sometimes mixing both. Esparza also notes, that the only constant in today's music industry is change. Our product is the only element we control, and that product is primary to success. Our Motto: "No Substitute for Excellence!" © Break Records

Hollenbeck PAL:
Mr. Esparza currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Hollenbeck -Police Activities League (PAL). PAL is a non-profit organization, serving the East Los Angeles community, working together with Kids, L.A.P.D. (COPS), and Parents, helping to open communication lines between L.A.P.D. and the community which it serves. PAL provides after school sports activities, positive roll models, and helping to keep kids off the dangerous streets of the barrio. The PAL program also provides scholarship opportunities for deserving college bound kids. Many of those PAL kids return as volunteers after graduating college, to help other kids understand and see that education is their key to success. PAL provides guidance to kids for continued higher education goals for success. PAL volunteers come from with in the community, such as parents supervising other kids after school in daily activities with in the organization. When the community gets involved, everyone wins! Our PAL goal is to provide helping hands towards success, one PAL kid at a time . . . . . Thank You For Your Support
Click Here To Visit the Hollenbeck Police Activities League (PAL) - Website!

AVAILABLE SERVICES from BREAK RECORDS: Artist A & R, representation, studio production, recording, consulting services, project development, creative consultant services, studio and live recording, publishing, copyrights and music research services, artist royalties, mastering and final production services, creative composing film and television, soundtracks, composing music and film consulting, music supervision - MTV, VH1, film scoring, music supervisor, PSA's, theme music, sound design, TV specials (Commercial, Corporate & PBS), advertising industry, and special projects music consultant, creative development, music publishing, and licensing BMI. Producers, Directors, and Music Supervision, films, TV, pilots, commercial, and reality projects, please contact Break Records.
Contact Information: (909) 592-9866 or E-mail

Contact: Benjamin Esparza - Executive Producer - Break Records, Inc.
Email: Benjamin Esparza - Break Records

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