Deep Dive: Thee—Unravel the mystique of borderland garage rock & soul
Harmony and heritage in Del Rio's borderland cosmic desert landscape.
In the 1960s, South Texas witnessed the rise of Thee, a beacon of creativity and cultural unity, from the border town of Del Rio. This town, divided by a railroad, was home to two high schools: Del Rio and San Felipe High. Del Rio is a predominantly Mexican community that had its share of segregation. However, during a transformative era in music, Thee created a sound that bridged cultural divides, leaving a lasting legacy that still resonates today.
The Birth of Thee: A Fusion of Musical Minds
In the musical cosmos of South Texas, Thee formed from the Big Bang of three distinct teenage garage bands. Juan Jimenez's soulful vocals and Juan-Raul Rodriguez's multi-instrumental brilliance from "The Optical Illusions" collided with the high-octane energy of Ruben Resendez on bass and Reginaldo "Reggie" Gonzalez on lead guitar from "The Extremes." Eddie Garza's commanding drumbeats from "The Chocolate Grapevines" provided a driving rhythm, while Bruno Lozano Jr.'s rhythm guitar added a rich, layered texture. This serendipitous blend of talents created an electrifying and harmonious ensemble, resonating deeply with the vibrant spirit of South Texas.
”Juan Raul lived a few blocks from my house, so it was easy to get together. I would walk to his house and we would just hang out and talk and listen to music all the time” - Juan Jimenez
Ruben and Reggie of The Extremes first met as kids living across the street from each other. Reggie, already seasoned with guitar skills and band experience, began teaching Ruben to play guitar. They eventually formed "The Extremes," featuring drummer Lupe Lomas and lead vocalist and guitarist Bobby Martinez. Their first gig at a youth center dance in 1965 tested their skills, but the band lasted only a year before Bobby Martinez’s father got stationed outside of Del Rio, prompting Bobby to quit the band, but not long after they met Juan Jimenez and Juan-Raul Rodriguez, childhood pals since their elementary days, grew closer over their shared love for music.
Raul and Juan were part of a garage outfit called "The Optical Illusions," featuring Juan on vocals, Raul on rhythm guitar, Raymond Rodriguez on bass, Joe Torres on lead guitar, and Joe Salas on drums. As other members of The Optical Illusions lost interest, Raul and Juan's passion for music only grew. As The Optical Illusions faded, Thee began to take shape. Influenced by the rise of counterculture and the mid-60s British Invasion, the group debated for hours before settling on the unique name "Thee." The lineup included Reggie on guitar, Ruben on bass, Raul on organ, Juan on vocals, and Lupe Lomas on drums. In a cosmic twist, Thee and another local group, "The Chocolate Grapevines," swapped drummers, with Eddie Garza joining Thee and Lupe joining The Chocolate Grapevines, and soon recruiting talented guitarist Bruno Lozano at the suggestion Juan-Raul and the lineup was complete.
”McDaris was a nice man who did so much for us. He believed in us and made sure to take care of us after every gig. We were grateful for him” - Ruben Resendez
Thee’s sound-waves eventually caught the attention of Lamar McDaris, a local DJ, music promoter, and occasional high school sportscaster, when he heard the band’s stellar rendition of "To Love Somebody" by the Bee Gees opening for '‘Flash in the Pan’ group Crazy Elephant, at the town’s civic center. Seeing the potential, McDaris decided to manage the band, booking gigs that allowed their sound to resonate in the surrounding Del Rio area.
He soon encouraged them to craft original compositions to pair with their cover. Juan and Raul, the compositional architects, created "Time With Her," a shimmering, atmospheric ballad with Juan’s haunting vocals, Raul’s cosmic organ and harmonies, Bruno and Reggie’s sparkling guitars, all head down by the rock-solid rhythms of Ruben and Eddie. Enthralled, McDaris loaded the band and their gear into his station wagon, embarking on a 156-mile voyage to Jeff Smith’s Texas Sound Studios in San Antonio, TX.
Lamar McDaris pressed 400 copies of their single at Bob Tanner’s TANNER ‘N’ TEXAS pressing plant, nestled on the west side of San Antonio on W. Poplar Street. The band chose the controversial name “Pot Records” to debut their new single. According to Ruben, the single soared through the regional charts, with all 400 copies quickly snapped up by eager fans. Their tune became a hit on Del Rio radio, thanks to the promotional magic of McDaris and his crew. Soon, Thee found themselves booked non-stop far and wide. Riding the wave of success, Lamar kept the Pot imprint alive, pressing records for several other groups, each release adding to the constellation of South Texas music.
A Legacy Beyond the Notes
The journey of Thee was brief yet impactful. By the summer of 1970, as high school drew to a close and life's paths diverged towards careers and higher education, Thee disbanded. Despite the brevity of our time together, the music we created and the connections we forged left an indelible mark on Del Rio's cultural landscape.
”Back then, the band meant a lot because we wanted to prove that we could be something special if we wanted to keep going to the next chapter of our lives” - Juan Raul Rodriguez
Today, Thee's music is more than just a memory; it's a legacy of a time when a group of young musicians could come together and, against the backdrop of a divided society, create something that would unite and endure the community. It's a testament to the power of music as a universal language—one that transcends the barriers of time, place, and even cultural divides. Thee reunited for a performance at the Del Rio Civic Center in 2015 that once again brought the whole town together. Thee's story is not just about a band; it's about how music can capture the spirit of a community, embody its hopes and dreams, and leave a legacy that endures long after the last note fades away. As we look back, we celebrate not only the music we made but also the journey that music took us on—a journey of discovery, unity, and timeless resonance.
You can purchase a copy of Thee’s “Time With Her” b/w “To Love Somebody” via our bandcamp.
Special thank you to Jason Chronis, Rob Sevier, the McDaris, Rodriguez, Jimenez, Resendez, Lozano, and Garza Families for all their support.
- Pecos Records