Jesse Villegas was an integral member of the mid 1980's Texas metal scene. As an original member of Militia, Villegas helped write some of the best and most memorable music of the era. As noted in our Profile on the band, Militia was originally formed as a five piece unit with dual lead guitarists in late 1984. In the ensuing months, the band performed extensively throughout Central Texas and even joined Florida metallers Nasty Savage for a series of tour dates. Unfortunately, Villegas left Militia after 8 months due to unspecified conflicts within the band. No recordings of this lineup are known to exist.
In 1990 Villegas resurfaced in a band called Awake fronted by former Matrix and Assalant drummer Mike Botello. This three piece group featured excellent musicianship, progressive song structures, and spiritual lyrical themes. They released one album called 'Spiritual Warfare' on the Christian label Shadow Records. Visit our Audio section for music samples from this release.
TexasMetalUnderground.com is proud to present this exclusive interview with Jesse Villegas in which he gives us his thoughts and recollections on the classic Texas metal scene and even hints at a possible reunion with his former Militia bandmates!
Texas Metal Underground: How did you hook up with the Militia guys? Were you already friends with the other members Robert, Tony, & Phil when you joined?
Jesse Villegas: Actually, I didn't know Tony at the time. I had answered an ad in a music store. Phil and Robert were looking to form a band and needed a guitar player. fortunately I got the gig. this took place around the middle '84.
TMU: Were you in any other bands before joining Militia?
Jesse Villegas: Yes, I was in only 1 band before Militia. This band was based in Lockhart, Texas. it was basically a cover band.
TMU: Did Militia have any other singers before Mike Soliz joined the band? Had you guys heard Mike sing before he auditioned for Militia?
Jesse Villegas: There were only a couple of singers we auditioned at the time before Mike Soliz joined the band. We had only been together a few months, so Mike was pretty much there from the beginning. We had never heard him sing before. He had been referred to us by Jason McMaster from the band WatchTower. Jason had known Mike for a while before we came along. They had been in a cover band called Fallen Angel. By the way, Mike wasn't the vocalist. He was the drummer and Jason was the bassist and sang. They were the original 'Sons Of Steel' and best of friends, so we were fortunate to get Mike Soliz in Militia.
TMU: Did you and Tony both play lead or did you play mainly rhythm guitar?
Jesse Villegas: Me and Tony Smith had a great relationship. We both played rhythm and lead. As a matter of fact, at some of the first shows we played, we both had spotlight guitar solos as part of our set. It was awesome!
TMU: Do you remember the first show you played with Militia? Where was it? What other bands played?
Jesse Villegas: The first show we played was on July 3rd, 1984 at the Ritz Theater in Austin. We opened for Wyzard and WatchTower. Killer show! Packed house! (See a flyer from this show here)
TMU: How long were you in the band and how many shows did you play with them? What were the reasons for you leaving?
Jesse Villegas: I believe I was in the band around 8 months. I did 10 shows including a mini-tour with a band out of Brandon, Florida called Nasty Savage. I also played the sold out show at the Villa Fontana in San Antonio with Slayer, S. A. Slayer, WatchTower and Syrus. As far as leaving the band, I was very young and immature at the time and wasn't willing to compromise or willing to talk and work things out. It was a very sad time for me, but I had some growing up to do.
TMU: Do you still have any tapes, flyers, or photos from that period?
Jesse Villegas: Yes, but not very much at all. I have a group photo and a flyer of one of our shows. I also have a copy of the Regiments of Death demo.
TMU: Did you stay involved in the local metal scene after Militia? Any other bands?
Jesse Villegas: No, not really. I saw just a couple more shows that Militia played. One at the Ritz with King Diamond and another show in San Antonio. As far as other bands, later on down the line I hooked up with the drummer from Assalant and started up a Christian band.
TMU: Matrix and Assalant drummer Mike Botello later fronted a Christian metal band called Awake. They had one release that I'm aware of with guitars provided by Jesse Villegas. Was that you?
Jesse Villegas: Yes, I think it was sometime in 1988 when I hooked up with Mike Botello and formed Awake. The album was recorded in Corpus Christi, Texas and was entitled 'Spiritual Warfare'. It was a very uplifting experience.
TMU: How did that project come about? Did Awake ever play any live shows?
Jesse Villegas: Well to make a long story short, me and Mike Botello chose to make a change in not only our lives but to make a difference in the lives of other people as well. That was the reason for the inspirational music. As far as playing live, we played some clubs locally. We played one show in San Antonio.
TMU: To this day the ‘80’s Texas metal scene is regarded as one of the strongest and most influential scenes of the era. In your opinion, what made the Central Texas metal scene so unique?
Jesse Villegas: We were all like one big family from Austin to San Antonio to Houston. I mean, all the bands looked forward to the next 'Death Metal Attack' show and were always eager to be on the bill. But what made it most unique were the fans. I had never seen anything like it. They would literally pack the venues, create mosh pits, slam dance. It was total madness! We owe it all to the fans.
TMU: Are you still involved in metal or music in any way?
Jesse Villegas: Yes, I am currently in a band with guitar virtuoso Michael Segura. I have been with them a little over a year. As far as metal, I do have material that I have written and am in discussion at this time with Mike Soliz and Tony Smith about writing and recording new Militia material.
TMU: Thanks for taking the time to do this interview, Jesse!
Jesse Villegas: Thank you for being in the front lines and supporting Militia and the central Texas metal scene.