Meet Honey Rot, the band that started as a solo project during the pandemic and turned into a powerhouse trio blending rock, aggression, and vulnerability. Formed by Jorge Heriberto Castillo, Felix Cadena “Chain,” and Rey Muñoz, they’ve crafted a sound that mixes thumping beats with sweet melodies, making them a South Texas sensation. From recording in bedrooms to rocking local stages, Honey Rot’s journey is as raw and real as their music – and they’re just getting started!
Q. Who are the members of your band?
Jorge Heriberto Castillo – Guitar/Vocals
Felix Cadena “Chain” – Drums
Rey Muñoz – Bass
Q. Can you tell us a bit about the origin of the band? How did you all come together?
Honeyrot started as a solo project during the 2020 Pandemic. Necessity is the mother of invention as they say, and nobody was really making the type of music I wanted to play. With everything being shut down there was no other option but to record the music I wanted to jam all by myself. Once the pandemic was over and the world opened back up again, I had 5 or 6 original songs and I hit the ground running. I booked and played shows alone accompanied by my own backing tracks that I had recorded in my bedroom. After about half a year or so of gigging alone, Felix jumped on drums and we were a two-piece for another six months. We decided that we wanted to record our debut full-length, so we looked for the best producer in South Texas, Rey Muñoz. In 2021, we began demoing and recording, which took us about a year. We had to commute 1 hour each way after our 9-5’s, to work with Rey who has his studio in Zapata, TX. Without a bass player, Rey took the responsibility of helping us record bass, and eventually he became part of HR as a full-time bassist and is now the third member of HR!
Q. How would you describe your sound to someone who’s never heard your music before?
Alternative Rock in English and Spanish. Aggressive but soft and vulnerable. A perfect balance of thumping rock beats with sweet melodies. Mixing the sweet with the sour: HONEY ROT.
Q. Do you have any upcoming shows or tours planned that fans should look out for?
We try to play South Texas as much as possible! Right now we have Austin booked for Friday February 14 and we are super excited to be playing our second out of state gig in Oklahoma City March 29th! Every weekend we have gigs in Laredo, TX or neighboring cities (San Antonio, McAllen, Austin), Instagram is where we are most active, give us a follow to find out when we’ll play near you!
Q. What are some of your favorite venues to perform at and why?
We try to play South Texas as much as possible! Right now we have Austin booked for Friday February 14 and we are super excited to be playing our second out of state gig in Oklahoma City March 29th! Every weekend we have gigs in Laredo, TX or neighboring cities (San Antonio, McAllen, Austin), Instagram is where we are most active, give us a follow to find out when we’ll play near you!
I am a sucker for home shows and Jardin X Contreras is where we play the most. The love, support, and opportunities they grant us day in and day out keep us moving forward. If I had to choose a venue outside of our hometown, it would definitely have to be The Flying Walrus in McAllen, TX! The owners, promoters, staff, and McAllen Locals always make us feel like we’ve been part of the scene forever and we cannot wait to go back!
Q, If you could only listen to one album for the rest of your life, what would it be?
American Idiot by Green Day. One of the first records I fell in love with and that as a whole is perfect. In my opinion, there are no skips on that record.
Q. If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Selena Quintanilla, la reina de la musica tejana. One of my biggest musical inspirations. She always performed with so much joy and her smile could light up even the darkest of rooms. I’m sure that being in a studio with her would be pure magic.
Q. If your life were made into a movie, which song would play during the opening scene?”
Me Vale by Mana. I’ve always felt like an outsider and that song encompasses how I felt growing up listening to rock music perfectly. Being the emo-punk rock kid in school was no easy task, but somebody’s gotta do it!
Find Honey Rot below
https://www.instagram.com/honeyrotcheerios
