'Fea is so excited to contribute the music to this story that is all at once hedonistic, spiritual, raunchy and emotionally deep,' Diaz told the Current. Adding to the challenge, the music had to be reproduced as part of the productions with the actors playing the songs and singing the lyrics.Įlements of Fabulous Monsters mirror the real-life story of Fea, whose core membership is comprised of drummer Phanie Diaz, bassist Jenn Alva and vocalist Letty Martinez.

The lyrics were already written as part of her script, so she tasked the trio with coming up with music to bring them to life.

Prompted by a suggestion from performer Keli Cabunoc Romero and the Public's Executive Artistic Director Claudia de Vasco, Burbano, a Fea fan, reached out to the band to commission music for the production. Since rising from the ashes of indie-rock outfit Girl in a Coma in 2015, Fea's uncompromising Latina take on punk has earned it mentions in Rolling Stone and on NPR - not to mention a prominent shoutout from punk godfather Iggy Pop. Indeed, elements of Fabulous Monsters mirror the real-life story of Fea, whose core membership is comprised of drummer Phanie Diaz, bassist Jenn Alva and vocalist Letty Martinez. Playwright Diana Burbano, a Colombian immigrant living in Southern California, chose to set the story in LA but expects it to resonate in San Antonio as well. The story focuses on the oft-overlooked contributions of Latinas to punk, which isn't limited to the late-'70s or to Los Angeles. However, the pair eventually grow apart and pursue different musical roads - one goes pop, while one sticks to her punk guns.Īfter reuniting roughly three decades later, the former bandmates repair what's left of their turbulent friendship and reconcile to rock out on stage once again. Set in late 1970s as the punk revolution swept the Los Angeles music scene, the play follows two Latinas who meet at a band audition, start their own group and find fame nearly overnight. San Antonio Latina punk band Fea is contributing new music to Fabulous Monsters, a play making its world premiere at the Public Theater of San Antonio on Friday, Feb. Fabulous Monsters will premiere at the Public Theater on Friday, Feb.

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