ION INDIE MAGAZINE January 2015, Volume 8 | Page 29

On November 28, 2014, I was shooting an event
at the ELECTRIC BANANA here in El Paso, Texas,
with seven bands on the card. But what caught
my attention about halfway thru the evening, was
a duo called GHETTO TACTIX. I must say that I
hadn't ever quite seen an act of this caliber. I
might also add, I've never been a fan of
Electronic Dance Music, but after I
photographed them, I stood in awe as I watched
what unfolded on stage. On the mixing board is
ISMAEL MACHADO and next to him is JUNIOR
(STRINGS) IBAVE shredding away on a Fender
guitar! I found this to be an unbelievable
combination, joining multiple types of music--as
in Metal, Rock, Techno and Blues. The two have
been playing together for about a year, but hit the
club scene here locally this past June. Turns out
that 60% of their set list is adlibbed and it’s a set
that will last 45 minutes straight nonstop and of
course, can play longer if need be. Ismael's
influences are JOHN DIGWEED, CHEMICAL
BROTHERS and CRYSTAL METHOD. Junior likes
anything from CLAPTON to DIMEBAG. Ismael has
been a DJ for the past four years and Junior has
been playing the guitar for 18 years and believe
me, it shows! They put on an outstanding show,
full of music and a huge stage presence--very
entertaining--fun to watch!!!