by GECU

SUN CITY STORIES

We sat down with lead singer/guitarist Pancho Mendoza and singer/drummer Angel Gonzalez and talked a little about music, life, passion and family.

A UNIQUE EL PASO SOUND

Fixed Idea is a one-of-a-kind band with a unique sound straight from El Paso, TX. The band has redefined a multitude of genres for the last 25 years. Their music aims to break the norms with their original style, which is inspired and influenced by the tapestry of culture and flavors from the borderland with a blend of beats and rhythms influenced by ska, reggae, cumbia, punk and rock.

Fixed Idea Plaza Theatre

“Our music is mixed with a little bit of El Paso flavor also to get that Latin vibe in there.”
– Angel G.

The band has often described their experience as being self-fulfilling — a reflection of their craftsmanship and life stories in their music. Pancho started Fixed Idea when he was in high school, but music has always been a part of his life.

“I was in second grade when my parents hired a marimba band to play at my grandma’s house, it moved me so much that I remember getting a metal chair, some plastic spoons, sat close to the band and just started jamming with them.”
– Pancho M.

MUSIC, FAMILY, HEART AND SOUL

Music connects and changes lives. Fixed Idea’s Pancho and Angel not only needed music in their lives, for them, listening to the radio just wasn’t enough. They wanted to be in music, to be performers and literally move to the rhythm of their own drums.

Fixed Idea 25th Anniversary Show

“Music is where I get to do my thing, it makes me who I really am.”
– Angel G.

“You have to follow your passion, if you love what you do and you’re doing good, then you’re going to be happy. I’m living my dream, I teach music to children and work to inspire and motivate them. All that while creating our own music, that’s the dream.”
– Pancho M.

Fixed Idea has evolved and matured a lot since the band was founded in 1992. “We’ve grown a lot as both musicians and people,” said Angel “for us music became all about family.”

“My kids are inspired and influenced by what we do,” said Pancho. “My daughter is 17 and plays the bass, and my 9-year-old son loves to sing. They’ll actually be joining us on stage for Music Under the Stars!”

Fixed Idea will kick off this year’s GECU presents Music Under the Stars concert series. Every summer, thousands enjoy the free live music at one of El Paso’s leading family events.