Hero's Last Mission (HLM) was a Sacramento-based five-piece rock and pop band, active from the late 2000s into 2016, often noted for looking like a metal band while actually playing pop-leaning rock.[1] The group is explicitly described as a "local five-piece" and one of "Sacramento's own" rock acts.[1][2] According to Apple Music, the band was formed in 2006 and is categorized as a Rock act from Sacramento, CA.[3]
At a glance
- Local Sacramento pop/rock five-piece; metal "look" was a running joke among members.[1]
- Band formed in 2006;[3] current lineup came together in 2009; the band's broader run spanned "10-plus years."[1][2]
- Members included vocalist Lee Hurtado, guitarist Luis Hurtado (Lee's twin), drummer Julian Mendoza, and guitarist Art Padilla.[1]
- Released two EPs (2006, 2008), Road to Recovery (2009),[3] debut full-length Stay on Course (2011),[1] Left for Dead EP (2015),[3] and post-hiatus singles "All We Need" (2022)[3][4] and "Operator" (2023).[3]
- Announced a hiatus in 2016 and members launched a country project, Fairlines.[2]
Origin and members
The band was formed in 2006.[3] The current lineup came together in 2009, though the project's overall run was later described as "10-plus years," implying earlier roots.[1][2] Named members include vocalist Lee Hurtado, his twin brother and guitarist Luis Hurtado, drummer Julian Mendoza, and guitarist Art Padilla.[1] The Hurtado twins are from Amador County and, at the time of the 2011 interview, lived with Padilla in Sacramento.[1]
Local status
HLM is clearly local to the Greater Sacramento region. Submerge calls them a "local five-piece" and later "Sacramento['s]" rock band, and notes their decade "rising through the ranks of Sacramento's rock scene."[1][2] Apple Music lists their location as Sacramento, CA, United States.[3] The Hurtado twins originate from Amador County and relocated to Sacramento.[1] (Confidence: high.)
Sound and style
Despite a metal appearance — black T-shirts, long hair and goatees — the band described their look as a running joke and played pop-leaning rock.[1] Their debut LP was characterized as striking a balance between rock and pop, ranging from fast, guitar-shredding tracks to harmony-rich pop songs.[1] Members noted that hardship and negative situations often inspired their lyrics.[1] The group was also known for vocal harmonies and guitar solos, traits later cited as making a country pivot feel natural.[2]
Releases
- Two EPs released in 2006 and 2008.[1]
- Road to Recovery — released 2009, according to Apple Music.[3]
- Stay on Course — debut full-length album, 2011.[1] It was recorded partly at Pus Cavern recording studio in Sacramento and partly at the Padilla–Hurtado house; home recording without time constraints was credited with sparking creativity and producing more diverse material than the earlier EPs.[1] The album was funded in part through Kickstarter donations, including a $1,000 contribution from an Amador County café owner; the band ultimately raised more than its goal.[1] Stay on Course was offered as a free online download throughout May 2011.[1] The album contains 14 tracks with a total runtime of 52 minutes 58 seconds:[5][4] Stay on Course, Can't Handle This, I Don't Know Why, Right Here, Gotta Give In, Gambling, Killing Me, Baby You Are Something, Jam, Gone, It Ain't Easy, Clouds, Red Handed, Not The Way.
- Left for Dead EP — released 2015, according to Apple Music.[3]
- "All We Need" — single released 2022, indicating post-hiatus recording activity.[3][4]
- "Operator" — single released 2023, the most recent entry in their catalog according to Apple Music.[3]
Touring and live activity
By 2011 the band had completed three major tours, including the previous summer's "Let's Get Dangerous" tour.[1] They cultivated a reputation for playing anywhere — including open mic nights at venues such as Pangea, Fox and Goose, Townhouse, and Old Ironsides — and sometimes performed acoustic sets, with Mendoza using a cajón or minimal percussion.[1] HLM celebrated the release of Stay on Course at Shenanigans in Sacramento on May 21, 2011.[1] The band appeared in the 2012 Friday Night Concerts in the Park series at Cesar Chavez Park, listed in the July 27 lineup under "pop."[6] They also performed at Supergiant Productions' Gina Azzarello 30th birthday celebration at Starlite Lounge on July 12, 2014, alongside Cemetery Sun and the Alex Vincent Band.[7]
Scene relationships
Guitarist Art Padilla was active in the wider Sacramento scene beyond HLM. He engineered, mixed, and produced The Bell Boys' The Jean Hagen EP (2011), and HLM opened that EP's release show at Luigi's Fundgarden on Nov. 23, 2011, alongside James Cavern.[8] Padilla also contributed guitar to Jeremiah Jacobs' project The Heartbreak Time Machine, appearing on The5/12EP alongside other respected Sacramento musicians.[9] The band noted that members were continually involved with helping and advising other local bands.[1]
Hiatus and Fairlines
In 2016, after roughly a decade in Sacramento's rock scene, the members announced a hiatus to start a new project "from the ground up," citing a collective desire for change.[2] The new group, Fairlines, took on a country-rock sound — described as a natural fit given the players' vocal harmonies and guitar work.[2] Fairlines made their live debut at Wolf Fest 2016 on Oct. 2, 2016 at Orangevale Community Park, opening for Uncle Kracker, Canaan Smith, Drake White, James Wesley and others.[2]
Post-hiatus activity
Despite the 2016 hiatus announcement, the band released the single "All We Need" in 2022[3][4] and "Operator" in 2023,[3] suggesting continued recording activity. Their Bandcamp page lists two releases: "All We Need" and Stay on Course.[4]
Online presence
- Bandcamp: https://heroslastmission.bandcamp.com — lists Stay on Course and the 2022 single "All We Need."[4]
- Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/artist/heros-last-mission/319204246[3]
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/0ln9mYT0VvBuFahneUGHjp (Stay on Course)[5]