Lineup: Efrem Fajardo on lead vocals and guitar, Marvin Cantorna Jr. on bass and Ron Guillermo on drums. Fajardo formerly led local alternative pop-rock band Narratives, while Guillermo and Cantorna came from Vegas indie band Echo Stains. Supporting players include Djavan Pereria (keys) and Greg Benton (guitar) of Cherreys.
Sound: Spanning from ’80s and ’90s R&B to synth-pop and classic rock, Angel Groove refers to its sound as “genre-neutral.” Fajardo explains: “Imagine New Edition and Paramore collaborating. We’re singing R&B songs with guitars,” The group released its first EP Commercials on April 17.
Representing: This trio digs deep into its Filipino-American roots, reviving a popular ’90s aesthetic and lifestyle known as “Asian Pride.” Angel Groove’s first music video—for “Patterns”—features a classic Honda Civic and beautiful ladies drenched in a hazy blue silhouette. Directed by local cinematographer ChristianFGY, it’s about “cruising in a ’90s-era Honda during a rainy night, reminiscing about summer love,” Fajardo says.
Influences: From Michael Jackson’s Thriller album to Kanye West and Drake. “We all basically listen to all the same classics,” Cantorna says. “We all love Boyz II Men, New Edition, Whitney [Houston], Lisa Lisa and disco.”
Up next: Angel Groove celebrates the release of its EP with a free, all-ages show April 26 at Vinyl with support from electronic-pop act HKG and self-produced rapper Asaish Ziv.
ANGEL GROOVE With HKG, Asaiah Ziv. April 26, 8 p.m., free. Vinyl, 702-693-5000.
