Brothers Mark and Rick del Castillo formed the Latin rock project, Del Castillo in 2000. As both singers and guitarists, the two aimed to meld Latin rhythms and instrumentation with modern pop from their home base of Austin, Texas. After its self-released debut album, Brothers of the Castle, debuted in 2001, Del Castillo expanded its lineup to incorporate percussion, live drums and electric bass. Flamenco-style acoustic guitar is a staple in the group's music, as is a respect paid to the progressions and characteristics of American genres, such as blues and rock, as evidenced by occasional lengthy forays into jammy grooves and electric guitar solos. Del Castillo's music has often been favored by hip film directors such as Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, with songs appearing in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Grindhouse and Kill Bill Vol. II.
