Fenix Tx

Fenix TX, styled Fenix*TX, is a pop punk band with roots in Houston that built hooks, traded guitars and drums mid‑career, and kept circling back with new chapters after detours and lineup changes.

How The Band Got Started

The group began in late 1995 as Riverfenix. Damon DeLaPaz and Will Salazar handled guitars, Donnie Reyes played drums, and Carl Lockstedt sang before Salazar took the mic. Adam Lewis joined on bass, and the four dove into Texas shows, cut the G.B.O.H. EP in 1996, and hustled demos while sharing stages with touring acts.

Riverfenix To Fenix TX

Drive‑Thru Records issued the self‑titled Riverfenix in December 1997. Word of mouth and touring pushed multiple sell‑outs for an indie pressing. As attention grew, a cease and desist from the River Phoenix estate forced a name change. A Drive‑Thru and MCA arrangement followed, and the band streamlined the name to Fenix TX.

MCA Era, Rising Single

The reworked major‑label debut, Fenix TX, arrived July 13, 1999. It hit No. 115 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on Top Heatseekers, with “All My Fault” getting heavy rotation and a TV tie‑in that widened the audience.

Lechuza And The 2002 Split

After touring, Reyes exited. DeLaPaz moved to drums and James Love joined on guitar. Lechuza landed on May 22, 2001, debuting at No. 87 on the Billboard 200, and “Threesome” reached No. 66 in the UK. Internal friction surfaced, and by September 19, 2002, the band called it quits while writing what would have been a third album.

Side Projects

Post‑breakup, Adam Lewis and DeLaPaz focused on Sing the Body Electric. Salazar and Chris Lewis formed Denver Harbor. Donnie Reyes later joined Khobretti.

Reunion And Live Release

In 2005 the band regrouped and issued the live set Purple Reign In Blood – Live (November 8, 2005), then toured the United States and Japan. A planned European run in 2006 was canceled when Salazar developed vocal fold polyps.

Stops, Starts, And Studio Intent

Lineups shifted through the late 2000s. In 2009 a return was teased, followed by touring in 2010 and new songs in early 2012, including tracks posted to streaming and a placement in a sports video game.

CRE.EP And After

On April 4, 2016 the band signed with Cyber Tracks and released the five‑song CRE.EP on September 30, 2016. That period also saw schedule changes, fill‑ins, and festival bookings.

New Era, 2022 To Present

Festival announcements arrived for 2023. Scott McLaughlin stepped in as vocalist for shows that year. On June 11, 2024, Adam Lewis died from pancreatic cancer at 45. The single “Engines” followed on January 20, 2025. On August 27, 2025, Arturo Barrios of Audio Karate was named as the new vocalist. Current core players include Chris Lewis, Damon DeLaPaz, and Donnie Reyes, with roles flexing between guitar, bass, and drums.

Musical Style

Early work drew comparisons to bigger radio peers, while the band leaned on twin‑guitar parts, brass cameos, and detours into ska‑tinged and hip hop‑flavored moments. Lechuza split songwriting between camps, pairing brighter hooks with heavier, hardcore‑edged tracks like “Beating a Dead Horse,” a choice that polarized some listeners but defined that era’s sound.

Members

• Chris Lewis, guitar and backing vocals, 2001-2002, 2005-present
• Damon DeLaPaz, bass 2024-present; guitar and backing vocals 1995-2000, 2023-present; drums 2000-2002, 2005-2006, 2016-2023
• Donnie Reyes, drums, 1995-2000, 2023-present
• Arturo Barrios, lead vocals and guitar, 2025-present

Former Members

• William Salazar, lead vocals and guitar, 1995-2002, 2005-2006, 2009-2022
• Adam Lewis, bass and backing vocals, 1995-2002, 2005-2009, 2013-2024
• Carl Lockstedt, lead vocals, 1995
• James Love, guitar, 2000-2001
• Ilan Rubin, drums, 2006-2009
• Aaron Thompson, bass and backing vocals, 2010-2012
• Trevor Faris, drums, 2010-2012
• Hayden Scott, drums, 2013-2016
• Scott McLaughlin, lead vocals and guitar, 2023-2025

Discography

• G.B.O.H., EP, 1996 (as Riverfenix)
• Riverfenix, album, 1997 (as Riverfenix)
• Fenix TX, album, 1999, US No. 115; Top Heatseekers No. 3
• Lechuza, album, 2001, US No. 87; UK single “Threesome” No. 66
• Purple Reign In Blood – Live, live album, 2005
• CRE.EP, EP, 2016