The most versatile of two-man bands, musicians Mark Castrillon (lead vocal/guitar) & Frank Reina (percussion/vocal) together form the formidable duo known as MCFR. These guys are a one-stop shop. With a repertoire of over 450 songs, they have catered to every kind of crowd; from cocktail lounges at the various Four Seasons Beverly Hills Hotels, to corporate gigs at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas, to private events and weddings all across California, down to the hippest, trendiest bars in L.A. and Orange County. No matter the environment, they know how to work a crowd. Whether it’s a mellow, low volume gig, or a high energy pop & rock dance floor, MCFR is on call. Taking requests all night, Castrillon’s dynamic voice can slide from a smooth jazz ballad to a classic rock anthem in a heartbeat. Reina’s unique drum & percussion set-up includes kick, snare, djimbe, a wide variety of hand percussion, and an electronic pad, which makes it easy for the pair to break out contemporary dance and hip-hop tunes when the occasion demands. Celebrity musicians like Keifer Sutherland and Rascal Flatts have enjoyed getting up on stage and sitting in with them, and MCFR is always ready to go with the flow.
Both musicians played the LA circuit for many years, in addition to playing all over the US and abroad. Castrillon’s original band brought the two together 4 years ago, and saw had them and sharing the stage with such musical icons as PAUL RODGERS (Queen/BadCompany), RICHARD MARX, LOU GRAMM(Foreigner), TOMMY SHAW (Styx),JACK BLADES(Night Ranger)and the LITTLE RIVER BAND. An L.A. native with aPeruvian/French & Yugoslavian background, Castrillon has written, recorded, and toured with a wide variety of artists including BRET MICHAELS(Poison),TONY THOMPSON(David Bowie, Power Station)and most recently with DAVID COOK(of American Idol fame),while continuing to write for Film & Television. Reina was born and raised in Texas, but moved to L.A. as soon as he was old enough to drive in order to forge his career as a drummer. He is a graduate of the Musician’s Institute, and has played live and recorded with SCOTT WEILAND (Stone Temple Pilots),CHUCK NEGRON(Three Dog Night),DAVE MASON(Traffic),BLOOD SWEAT AND TEARS, and DIONNE WARWICK, to name a few. He is featured on various soundtracks including "Austin Powers The Spy WhoShagged Me"and"Drowning Mona,"and recently performed with Scott Weiland on"TheTonight Show with Jay Leno." He is also an accomplished producer, and records and produces in his studio at his home in L.A.
Castrillon and Reina compliment each other in the best ways, together creating a rich and unique sound that fills the space like a four-man band. Their vocal harmonies blend with sensitivity and sophistication, and with the diverse range of sounds Reina brings to the mix, audiences are often surprised to discover there are only two of them. Castrillon’s good looks, style, and easy charm make him a hit with the ladies; Reina’s humor and winning personality make guys want to hang out after the gig and be buddies. Together, they have a way of instantly making any “hang” a cool one, and any room the place to be. They are particularly skilled at creating an immediate rapport with their audience, which leads to lots of repeat clients, as well as new ones. But their most exceptional talent is reading a room and knowing exactly which song from their vast repertoire will suit the moment perfectly.And that talent is priceless. At the end of the night, no one leaves disappointed—the energy in the room is palpable, and MCFR always leaves ‘em wanting more.
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