More than a decade after a casual studio jam sparked something bigger, Guardians AZ has grown into one of Arizona’s most recognizable Indigenous metal bands, carrying the sound of the Tohono O’odham Nation onto stages across the Southwest.

What began in 2013 as friends playing riffs at Francisco Studios has evolved into a tight-knit group defined by heavy, riff-driven music and a deep commitment to representing home every time they plug in.

Guardians is made up of Jayare on vocals and lead guitar, Gabe Mendoza on rhythm guitar, Andrew Pedro on drums and Raphael “Native Dave” Mendoza on bass.

In 2013, drummer AJ asked Gabe Mendoza if he wanted to jam. Nothing serious or long-term, just a night at Francisco Studios.

Gabe Mendoza hadn’t played with a band in some time, but he showed up to jam.

“Suddenly we had full songs,” he said. “I didn't think we were forming a band. We were just playing.”

A short while later, Raphael “Native Dave” Mendoza joined with his bass, also not expecting much from the sessions.

“I didn’t see it going anywhere,” he said.

But a few years later, in 2015, Guardians played its first show in North Komelik.

The stage was unstable and the setup wasn’t ideal, but the crowd’s energy was different.

That night marked a shift.

“It went pretty good,” Raphael Mendoza said. “That was when it felt like, okay…maybe this is becoming something.”

More shows followed — Tucson, Phoenix and neighboring communities — and Guardians slowly became a recognized name.

This was something of a surprise for a band that didn’t even have a name at first, coming up with Guardians on the fly while signing up for a Battle of the Bands competition at the Rock.

Raphael Mendoza suggested Guardians in a group chat, and the rest is history.

“It just felt strong,” Gabe Mendoza said. “Like something uplifting.”

They later added the “AZ” to help with searches on social media, but the original name has remained.

Guardians’ sound grew out of the music they were raised on — the posters on bedroom walls, the hand-me-down tapes from cousins, the late-night rides and whatever was blasting through the house on any given day. It’s less about copying a specific style and more about those influences taking root over time.

For Gabe Mendoza, one of the earliest sparks came from a giant Metallica poster in his brother’s room: James Hetfield with his guitar hanging low. From there, he dove into thrash, death metal and the wave of bands circulating at the time.

Raphael Mendoza said his love of music started with a record player at home. The sounds of The Beatles, mariachi and Journey filled the house, eventually giving way to Kiss, Venom and a variety of metal bands.

Some of it felt intense at first, but it soon became the soundtrack that stayed with him.

These early exposures became the roots of Guardians’ sound: heavy, riff-driven, fast and uncompromising.

Those influences slowly took shape in rehearsals and small shows, sharpening into something unmistakably their own.

Every band has its “Oh, this is actually happening” moment. For Guardians, it came during a show at the Rock.

The venue was packed. People crowded toward the stage, and someone snapped a photo from above, a shot Gabe Mendoza still remembers today.

“After the first song, the crowd’s response was unreal,” he said. “I turned around, grabbed water, and just looked at the guys like, yeah… this is it.”

Raphael Mendoza described a similar moment — not tied to a single show, but to the feeling that comes when a crowd’s cheers feel personal.

“That look of approval… I’ve gotten that a few times,” he said. “It’s overwhelming in a good way.”

Those moments marked a turning point, when the band realized it was no longer just jamming.

With that realization came a stronger sense of purpose.

Guardians has always been clear about who they are and where they’re from. Every show begins with the band telling the audience they’re from the Tohono O’odham Nation.

“It’s important,” Gabe Mendoza said. “Even if they don't know where it is, they know after we say it.”

Over the years, the band has connected with Indigenous metal groups from Oregon to the Navajo Nation, Gila River and Salt River, eventually bringing those relationships back home to the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Guardians is excited to see younger O’odham bands making noise as well, including Gunpoint, 4Xi and Thamju.

“It’s good to see them out there,” Raphael Mendoza said. “If we can support them, we will.”

The band’s relationship with home has evolved over the years. Early on, most of the people at their shows were friends and family. Over time, the presence from the Nation grew — slowly at first, then all at once.

One of their most memorable shows took place at the Sells Livestock Building, a cold night packed with people, where a full mosh pit broke out during one of their songs.

“Bodies were flying into us,” Gabe Mendoza said. “It was wild.”

Raphael Mendoza remembers being knocked into his own amp during the pit, the crowd helping him to his feet so that he could continue playing.

Support also shows up in everyday places: someone wearing their shirt at a toka tournament — a traditional O’odham women’s sport — or someone else sporting it inside the local Bashas’.

“Total rez moment,” Raphael Mendoza said with a laugh.

Band members say these moments mean as much as connecting with fans at their shows.

Raphael Mendoza and Gabe Mendoza made sure to acknowledge everyone who helped shape Guardians’ story, including former vocalists Chuck D and Duran, original drummer AJ and multi-instrumentalist JR, who played bass, guitar and sang for the band.

They also pointed to current drummer Andrew Pedro, who stepped into the role and has become a consistent creative force.

“He came in when we needed someone,” Gabe Mendoza said. “He’s been pushing us musically.”

But the band’s evolution hasn’t happened onstage alone.

While the band’s sound takes shape onstage, two women have played a major role behind the scenes. Treets has been behind the camera at countless shows, capturing live videos and media that document the band’s journey. Sarapheona manages merchandise, making sure shirts, patches and beanies make it into people’s hands. Both have been essential offstage, helping carry the band forward in ways that often go unseen but deeply matter.

These days, Guardians is looking ahead — writing, practicing, performing and working toward one long-standing hope: hosting another major metal show back home on the Nation.

“We’ve been talking about it,” Raphael Mendoza said. “Now it feels like it's actually time to look into it.”

The band expressed gratitude for listeners, young bands coming up, new faces and longtime supporters.

“People supported us,” Raphael Mendoza said. “Now we want to support others.”

Gabe Mendoza echoed that appreciation for the broader metal community.

“Horns up to everyone supporting Rez Metal,” he said. “We appreciate you all.”

Trinity Norris is the founder of O’odham Media and has a master's degree from the University of Arizona in Global Media Studies.

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