CHON

CHON are a San Diego, United States group active from 2008 to 2024. They are a US progressive metal band associated with math rock, experimental, instrumental, progressive metal and progressive rock, and they are also described as a progressive math rock band. Their music is mainly instrumental, with only a small number of songs including vocals.

Formation and line-up

The band starts in 2008 with a four-track self-titled demo. The core line-up includes Mario Camarena on guitar and Erick Hansel on guitar. Nathan Camarena plays drums and percussion, and Esiah Camarena handles bass guitar and vocals. Drew Pelisek is also listed among the members. The band part ways with Drew Pelisek in 2015 because of artistic differences. After his departure, CHON use several touring bassists, including Esiah Camarena, before Esiah returns as a permanent member.

Releases and activity

CHON briefly pause activity in 2010, then reunite in 2011 to record two new songs, “O.G.” and “Breathe”. They return in 2013 with the EP Newborn Sun, follow it in 2014 with Woohoo!, and sign to Sumerian Records in December 2014. Their debut full-length album Grow follows in 2015, and their second full-length album Homey appears in 2017 on Sumerian Records. Homey also marks a shift in their sound, with hip-hop and electronic elements, particularly on the single “Nayhoo”.

Style and influences

CHON’s writing uses extensive seventh chords, inversions and odd time signatures, which gives the music a rhythmic and technical character. Their earlier work is more metal- and shred-oriented, with comparisons made to The Fall of Troy and Necrophagist, while later material draws on rock acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rush. They also cite pianists Hiromi Uehara, Tigran Hamasyan and Alex Argento as influences. Their early recordings avoid effects pedals, but they begin using them more heavily while writing Homey.

Tours, equipment and endorsements

CHON tour with Animals as Leaders in 2014, then support Circa Survive on a 27-date run. They later headline the Super Chon Bros Tour with Polyphia and Strawberry Girls, and that tour sells out every show. They also appear on the Sonic Unrest Tour alongside Periphery, Sikth and Toothgrinder. The band endorses Ibanez guitars and Overdrive Straps guitar straps. Mario Camarena uses a custom Ibanez-built guitar by Seth Hollander and an Ibanez RG 421, together with a Vox AC30 tube amplifier, while Erick Hansel mainly plays Ibanez RG 321 and RG 421 models.