In
the midst of the South central streets around
98 Roca Firme was born. Ob wanted to start a
band and told his younger brother who would join
him until today. Roca Firme had a few members
that would come and go like OB’s cousin
who played the keyboards. At that time, OB played
the drums and Moe did not know how to play anything
so he gave the bass a try. Norman Jackson was
going to give some piano lessons to OB’s
cousin and ended up taking his place. They weren’t
able to find a singer so OB took the difficult
task of singing and drumming at the same time.
OB and Moe’s dad, Jose Rosales, wanted
to support both of his sons in their new music
venture so he decided to finance their first
recording and would become an important investor
and co-founder of Firmline Productions. The record
was a rookie, had no professional help and had
no production preparation. The outcome was “Librame” which
sounded nothing like what the band sounds today
but it was up to date with the pioneers of the
Latin praise and worship genre. It was their
first attempt and learned from the experience.
Roca Firme started playing at a few churches
and got recognized within the local churches,
but most people looked down on them accusing
them of being too secular and copying the world.
I guess that has not changed too much as the
band gets the same type of criticism today. At
that time most of the places they played were
very conservative and traditional hymn singing
organizations, but little by little gained acceptance,
thanks to young pastors that shared the vision.
Around the year 2000 Moises Sifuentes would join
in the drums. He had been a childhood friend
of the Rosales. Later on, Daniel Morales joined
in the guitar
changing the sound of the band. The music took a turn and became more aggressive
and incorporated new elements like synthesizers and drum machines. New ideas
surged and began to record at Selah Studios in 2001. They recorded eight songs
and had them ready to be mixed and mastered when Zion Music Records signed
the band. They would help complete the album and finish the album “Bajo
Ataque” in 2002. During the process of recording the band felt the need
of a rhythm guitar to play live. So Moe, Norman and OB set out to look for
the new member. During a presentation they met Bobby who was playing for a
worship team at a local organization and asked him to help the band for a few
gigs. Bobby would take part of the other 3 songs of Bajo Ataque. The album
was released in October 18th of 2002 at the Upside Down club in Hollywood and
was distributed in the U.S. and Mexico through Piedra Angular. The line up
of 2003 was OB, Moe, Moisecito, Danny, Norman and Bobby.
In December 6 of 2003, Norman would play his last presentation with
RF and pursuit other interests as a contracted musician. The goodbye
wasn’t
pretty but the band believes it was for the best. In mid 2004 Roca Firme parted
ways from Zion and would continue to depend on themselves. Touring, events
and releases would now be presented under their own label Firmline Productions.
During 2004 the band was busy playing shows through out the U.S and
Mexico. This year was the band’s heaviest touring year and would play up to 25
shows during the month of February. By the end of 2004 the band recorded 4
songs and released the home studio quality EP Vacios, adding it to their product
chart. The release of the EP in December of 2004 would be the last show for
Danny and would be the toughest departing for the band. There were differences
in interests and music improvement. Playing quality became a big issue for
the band so they decided to let Danny go. Many fans questioned the intentions
behind this but the band tried to keep the facts within the band. As a result
of this the former RF street team and some of the staff would leave the band.
After a few months and loads of hate mail the band got back to work using Bobby’s
sister to replace Danny during live shows.
In 2005 Firmline Productions purchased the rights of Bajo Ataque from their
former label Zion Music Records. At the same time Roca Firme prepared a series
of concerts to be recorded and later released in 2006 under Firmline Productions.
In October 2005 they did an unplugged show at Smart city Grinds in Pasadena,
and a live concert in December to be launched as a DVD. During New Years Bash
December 20, 2005, the band would announce that Sari was the newest member
of RF and the first girl in the band.
In April of 2006 Roca Firme Produce their first Music Video for the song Limpiame
released in the Vacios EP and began recording their new album to be released
in September of 2006.
Roca Firme has shared the stage with many artists as; East West, Pillar,
Seven System, Sub-seven, Rojo, Jesus Adrian Romero, Zona 7, Marcos
Witt, Marcos Vidal,
Annette Moreno, Radium, Falling Up, Skalavera, Yerba Tribe, Plumb, Jackie Velasquez,
T-Bone, Funky, El Trio de Hoy, Garaje, La banda de Edgar Lira, Comezon de Oir,
Comprados, Urban Ops, Carry Us Through, etc…
Events: Spirit West Coast, Magic Mountain, L.A. Colesium (Festival Bajo El
Sol), Radio Super Estrella Battle of the Bands, Rallys for Christ, Vision Tour,
101 Tour, Expo Cristiano Mexico, La Conquista Awards, Nueva Vida Awards, L.A.
Christian Expo, Exolit, etc…
The new album rumors to be self-titled and will show a more mature
and aggressive style of music that will make you ask for more. There
will also be some songs
in english and will once again incorporate the use of synthesizers. It will
be RF’s best work up to date. We believe it will break the thin line
between secular and christian music, and will allow everyone to be able to
relate to the music and find something good about it. SEPTEMBER 30, 2006 – New
Album Release. -FirmLINE
