Nathan Castaneda - Lead Vocals/Guitar
Ever since I was a kid, I've always been around music due to my siblings knowing how to play. I started singing when I was 4, then learned my first instrument at 8. I've learned how to play a total of 8 instruments; piano, guitar, upright bass(with bow), electric bass, drums, ukulele, trombone, and baritone. In 2006 at 12, I discovered local band "A Current Affair" which inspired me to start my first band. That band ended up becoming "Valkyrie Missile", with me on lead vocals and guitar from 2009-2021. Being able to write songs people can relate to, and be impacted by inspires me to help those that need a "pick up" when feeling down. To remind those that they aren't alone, we are all in this together. Not only as a music community, but as a family!
Mikey DeRaud - Drums
I started playing drums at the age of 4, after watching the movie Tarzan. I practiced right away in the kitchen, using pots and pans with chopsticks, just like the gorillas did in the movie. I copied what they played, my parents were impressed. I had a really bad learning disability, so they bought me an electric kit to practice on. When I was 7, I joined a percussion band called "We Got the Beat" which taught me how to play with others. At 13, I joined my first band "Asian Girls". Don't ask me why they named it like that. I then joined 9 other bands after that, I just enjoyed playing drums for everyone. I was constantly playing house shows for fun. but only released one album with my last band before joining HillBlocksView. I'm starting to take this more seriously, I'm happy to be a part of this professional band.
Neil Rodriguez - Guitar/Backing Vocals
I was born into a musical family. Literally everyone either sings or plays an instrument. At the age of 13, was when I decided to slap some bass by learning old WWE theme songs and playing along to Hip-Hop bass lines, until Green Day's "American Idiot" popped into my life. I had wanted to play guitar also which I'm still learning new things each day. Matt Belamy and Billi Joe Armstrong would have to be my two inspirations when it comes to guitar. I've been in multiple bands in the past, and have had great experiences. As I've been in HillBlocksView, I can say that I've learned a lot and continue to do so.
Karina Peña - Bass/Backing Vocals
My music upbringing started at 11 years old; when I discovered My Chemical Romance, Green Day, and soon after Angels & Airwaves, Hawthorne Heights. Watching MCR's “Life on the Murder Scene” was what had me pick up guitar for the first time at 12 years old. Rock Band/Guitar Hero were huge influences as well, those games truly helped me into wanting to perform someday. I eventually gave up guitar, it just didn't “feel right” for me, I had considered giving up music since I only saw women at the time as lead vocalists. I later discovered Mindless Self Indulgence in 2007, and thought “Wait, girls can be playing instruments too??” and immediately begged my parents for a bass.
Within recent years, I started attending local shows frequently(support your scene!), and eventually ran into the HillBlox guys. My “bass spark” flickered back in 2023, performing my first show with a cover set of MCR, the guys took me under their wing to keep the spark lit. Here we are, I started filling in since August 2023, and 2024 I've become an official member. Honored to be in my first band, learning every step of the way. Looking forward to see our hard work flourish!