Alonzo Andez knows what it's like to be in the middle of a war.

The singer-songwriter from Texas joined Alacranes Musical just as vocalists Memo Ibarra and Omar Sánchez split from the group, entering a bitter dispute with the Urbina family for the Alacranes name. Andez, who was once a member of Banda Lamento Show, is now sharing vocal duties with original Alacranes singer Sergio "Hersheys" Federico.

In this second installment of a two-part interview, Andez talks about his being in the middle of a tug of war between the Urbina brothers and Memo & Omar.

Did you get caught up in Alacranes' band drama?

Yes. It has been like being in the middle of a war, like a real life movie that has not yet ended. I could not believe it when everything started collapsing that weekend. No one can fully understand my experience. Usually when there is a dispute, people are prone to take sides. But I was new and nothing was assured for anyone. I’m a person that believes in principles, respect and fairness. Nothing was easy, and when it all started, I couldn’t have imagined what was ahead.

Anyone could have sworn that we would never play together again on the same stage after that weekend in Iowa, if I’m not mistaken. But incredibly, we did. We performed another full weekend in California and they performed another final weekend without me. This was when we played at the Gibson Amphitheatre, which are days not pleasant to remember. Since I was in Alacranes, thanks to the promoter, I traveled to California (for my final weekend) with Memo, Omar (the other vocalist), and the manager. We were traveling apart because the atmosphere was too tense to travel together. I was confused and had hoped that everything would become the way it was before the conflict. I did not want to rush into making abrupt decisions. I sensed that my friend Memo felt betrayed by me for not showing unconditional support, but I needed time.

During all this confusion, I was invited by Oscar Urbina for the sound check at the Gibson Amphitheatre the afternoon before the show. I chose to go with them. I found the Urbinas to be very understanding and kind. I felt like they understood me and I understood them. Later, the manager kindly asked me if I wished to work with Memo and Omar in the future. I thanked him, but refused his offer, so he told me to think about it. I am to this day grateful to him for considering me to work with them. I just felt inside that it was not where I needed to be.

After rejecting the offer, and when the weekend was over, I was in a plane heading back home. Many, even some in my family, believed that my decision to reject their offer was a mistake. Yet even though I was leaving Alacranes to go home, I knew I had done everything my heart told me to and I felt good about it. While at home, Hector Urbina texted me words of encouragement and kept my hope alive. Soon Oscar and Rene Urbina called and offered me to become part of the real Alacranes Musical. I accepted and here I am.

What's it like being a part of a successful band like Alacranes?

It’s an overwhelming experience. It’s extremely hard, stressful, and physically draining, but all of these things cannot compare with the great satisfaction that it is to be here. Undoubtedly, it is a blessing, but it surely did not come to me without years of hard work, struggle, and preparation. Before the privilege of going on stage with Alacranes, many mirages have appeared in my career. I’ve had success, but also many disappointments, which my parents have witnessed being that they have always supported my career. If I would have received this years ago, perhaps I would not have appreciated it as much. I feel that we need to taste the sorrow of hopelessness in this career to keep our feet on the ground when fortune begins to smile. I’m sure that there are thousands of people who would want to be in my position, which is why I don’t take it for granted.

I love being on the road and traveling. It’s very fun to meet our fans every weekend and listen to them sing the songs with us. When people ask for more songs, and they scream, it is the best gift that they can give to the artist. I had admired Alacranes Musical’s music and to have the privilege to add my voice to it is an indescribable feeling.

What do you hope to accomplish as a member of Alacranes?

I wish to contribute as much as I can. I am here to give more than to receive and I know that the more we give for the band the better off we will all be; at least that’s my philosophy when it comes to group work. You reap what you sow; I know that for a fact. I wish to grow as an artist challenging my skills. This life is certainly unpredictable but I will strive to dedicate as much time as I can to Alacranes. It would be great to add to the enrichment of the productions of Alacranes Musical with my influence as an arranger and songwriter if it's needed someday.

Perhaps the fans will hear my guitar within our future productions. I believe great personal accomplishments will come also and I will try to humbly accept them when they arrive. I can only plan, but it will be God that marks the way as he did when he made the circumstances optimum for me to join.

Alonzo Andez knows what it's like to be in the middle of a war.

The singer-songwriter from Texas joined Alacranes Musical just as vocalists Memo Ibarra and Omar Sánchez split from the group, entering a bitter dispute with the Urbina family for the Alacranes name. Andez, who was once a member of Banda Lamento Show, is now sharing vocal duties with original Alacranes singer Sergio "Hersheys" Federico.

In the first installment of a two-part interview with Andez, the newest Alacran talks about his influences, how he hooked up with Alacranes and how fans have treated him since he joined.

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Ciudad Juarez and lived the first six years of my life there, but El Paso, Texas is where I grew up and where I call home.

What music are you most influenced by and why?

My life has been vastly influenced when it comes to music. As a child I used to perform Mexican folkloric music. I am an admirer of all forms of music that inspire feelings of peace, joy, harmony and all the positive feelings that a human can perceive. As a singer and composer I always believed that music should be used to uplift, due to its great power to influence humanity.

Today, and to name a few artists that I am influenced by, I would have to mention: Marco Antonio Solis y Los Bukis, The Beatles, Michael Jackson, Cristian Castro, Los Apson, Paul McCartney, Juan Gabriel, Emmanuel, Andrea Bocelli, Laura Pausini Josh Groban, Maroon 5, Miranda, Camilo Sesto, Caifanes, Mana, Hombres G, Enanitos Verdes, Reik, Billy Joel, CCR, and believe it or not, Alacranes Musical among others. I also love many of the Disney Channel productions. I surely can say that pop, rock and romantic music is what influences my style the most.

How did you end things with your previous band, Banda Lamento Show? Are you still friends?

The band decided to leave the record label that was promoting us during that year. I had previously signed a contract with that label and as a result of this separation I ended up staying as an exclusive artist of the record label. I have to say I’m very grateful to them, especially to its owner and to its sponsor. Being a part of it was an awesome experience. If something emerges we can, and have, contacted each other.

How did you hook up with Alacranes Músical?

I knew Memo from Alacranes way before leaving my previous band. Five months after leaving the Lamento Show, I had already a project of my own. The president of my company and I were constantly having meetings, which was why I traveled very often to Monterrey, Mexico. Unfortunately, things were getting complicated for the company and they decided to delay my production. During this period of time, I was also receiving many offers by various companies, bands, and promoters. While in Monterrey, I heard Alacranes would be playing there that weekend in November and so I decided meet up with them. Not knowing where they were, and not being able to contact Memo, I drove to the place where they would perform that night. For some strange coincidence, which I’d like to call a miracle, I felt like stopping at a nearby hotel. Within minutes, I was in Oscar Urbina’s room and we spoke for a while.

Speaking of miracles, that night I learned that they needed a vocalist to help them during the U.S. tour. I surely felt that it would be an honor to help them. After all, Alacranes Musical had been the only Regional Mexican band that I had dreamed to be a part of. Afterwards, Oscar Urbina and Memo allowed me to sing "Dame Tu Amor" that night in Monterrey. After the show, I asked Memo, who was the person I knew the best, to speak to the promoter of Alacranes and to arrange things for me to help them with the U.S. tour. Meanwhile, I requested the termination of the contract that I had with my company. When my contract was finally terminated, I called Memo and told him about it. He seemed pleased with the news and said everything was ready and arranged for me to meet the promoter of Alacranes. I soon started touring in the U.S. with them and later in México.

Soon I became the third vocalist of Alacranes. Even after all the complicated things that happened, I must express my gratitude to Memo because he was in constant communication with me as I joined, and showed me how things were in Alacranes at the time, encouraging me every step of the way. Also, I must thank the manager, who accepted Memo’s suggestion of having me be the one to join, and of course the promoter at the time. Obviously I won’t exclude who later became the reason why I am in Alacranes now, Oscar Urbina, for trusting me with information that confirmed the possibility to join Alacranes Musical, which had been a dream to me. It was him who later invited me to join the real Alacranes Musical.

How have the fans responded to you?

At the beginning, it was hard. When I joined, it was unexpected and naturally it takes time to accept new things. When I started, I remember putting myself in the place of the fans and understood that they were used to the same faces for years. No matter how sweet the candy is, if you are not familiar with it, and you are expecting something else, you will doubt it at first.

I never felt rejected, only observed. I knew it would be difficult to win their hearts, but to my surprise the fans were more welcoming than I thought they would be. I just focused on giving everything I could in every show. Now the fans have placed their trust in me and I will do everything possible to deserve it. One good thing that I have noticed from our fans is that they are very demanding and passionate. They don’t just go and listen to us; they go to our performances and live the experience with us.

I will never be Memo, or Omar, or Hersheys – just like none of them can be Alonzo. God has made us different so we could enjoy each other’s virtues and talents. As part of Alacranes Musical, I will give what I can to make people continue loving our music.

Coming soon: Part 2 with Alonzo Andez of Alacranes Musical.