The Beginning (2002)

The Absynths' origins can be traced back to 2002, when Esteban Chavez formed an alternative rock band called “Vorspiel”, with Fidencio Loza Jr. Soon after the formation of Vorspiel, the group decided to add Erick Vasquez, converting the duo into a trio. After a year of performing and writing material, Chavez felt that the band was progressing, but he wasn’t.

He then decided to leave the group before completing an album. When explaining his departure from Vorspiel to friends years later, Chavez said, “When I initiated that project, I was unsure of what I really wanted in terms of music and what the results would be. I explained how I felt to Fidencio and Erick and they understood. After a year of writing songs with them, I got a better understanding of what I wanted my music to be. So then I tried to gradually change the method of how we wrote music and the sound of it. However, the results weren’t what I expected and I had no choice, but to leave Vorspiel.” Shortly after his departure, Loza and Vasquez went their separate ways.

Formation of The Absynths (2003)

As for Chavez, he began writing material after taking a year off from music; his new material during that time was heavily influenced by post-punk. He knew he would need assistance with his new music so he asked his close friends John Gonzales (Guitar) and Christian Garcia (Vocals) to join his new and untitled project. Gonzales suggested to Chavez that he should recruit his good friend and he agreed to meet him and have him audition. As a surprise, it was former Vorspiel bassist Erick Vasquez. After their meeting, they resolved their differences and became close friends once more.

In 2004, Chavez fired Garcia due to lack of commitment to the project and asked Catherine Serafin (Drums) to join. She began making suggestions right after she joined. In fact, she suggested to Chavez that his project should be called “The Absynths” and Chavez and the rest of the band agreed with Serafin’s suggestion. The new line up consisted of Esteban Chavez (Vocals/Keyboards/Guitar), John Gonzales (Guitar), Erick Vasquez (Bass Guitar), and Catherine Serafin (Drums).

Inspired by Serafin’s drive and presence, Chavez decided to write music that would have a darker and more aggressive feel to it. Sadly, Gonzales and Vasquez were not pleased with the direction Chavez wanted the group to go in, so they left The Absynths. Their departure from the group left Chavez and Serafin discouraged and lost. As a result, The Absynths went on hiatus for a year. 

The Absynths’ Hiatus Ends (2005) In mid 2005, Chavez asked Serafin to help him write music and she agreed to do so; his new material was more guitar oriented than his previous work. They began rehearsing the material they wrote together, but the sound of their material felt empty. Chavez strongly believed he should add his close friend Emmanuel De La Cruz (Bass Guitar) to the group line up. So Chavez called Cruz over the phone and asked him to go out and talk. After 5 minutes of talking, Chavez knew that he would join and he did. Chavez, Serafin, and Cruz wrote material together and played their first show in October 2005. As for the remainder of the year, the group worked on writing new material and organizing shows for the following year.

No Silence Records (2006)

Cruz suggested recording the material the group had written and so they did. The group had no idea how they would record their music, but through a friend they were introduced to Humberto Guillen (Vocalist for The Novaz and co-founder of No Silence Records). Guillen offered to help, if The Absynths were to join his independent record label No Silence Records. Chavez and the rest of the band discussed the offer that Guillen proposed and accepted under two circumstances. The group wanted complete control of their music and they wanted to have time to really write songs without feeling rushed to release new material.

Encouraged by the band’s determination and youth, Guillen believed that The Absynths would be a breakthrough for his record label. Only days after their meeting, recording sessions were scheduled.

During the recording sessions, Cruz began to privately discuss his discomfort at the direction the band was going in with Medrano. Cruz later expressed to Chavez that The Absynths was heading down a very dark and frightening path that would lead to devastating results.

In April of 2006, Cruz announced his departure to the rest of the group. The Absynths was then forced to stop the recording sessions and search for a new bassist.