After our first European Special, we got some interest from a few more bands. Most of these are sung in Spanish language, but the sound of pure power pop is unmistakable. Viva la música! Ole!
Lukah Boo “Calidad DeVida”
Lukah Boo is the solo project of Toni Saenz, former guitarist/vocalist of The Happy Losers (a huge band from Madrid). With a compliment of both horns and guitars, Toni is similar to Michael Carpenter’s sound on “Dejame Salir” and “El Miedo Es Siempre Azul” is done in full Beach Boys mode with hand claps, sleigh bells and muti-tracked harmonies. “Contemporaneo” and “Otra Vez” adds some steel pedal guitar. Not a dud in the bunch, this is a real treat!
Jam Recordings | www.rockindiana.com | MySpace
Desconocidos “Nuevo Plan”
These guys are like a Spanish Spongetones, with the Beatlesque style of “Agarrado A Ti.” The vocal harmonies are tight on “Dia Prestados” and some slower tunes resemble The Rembrandts. The album is full of superb crystal clear jangly sounds, layered harmonies, catchy songs, tasty guitar licks, and good time fun.
Jam Recordings | Pop Club (spain)
The Shake “Try To Get Ready”
Go retro with The Shake…. if you love beat, garage, pop and psychedelia from the 60′s and subsequent decades, this band does it right. The Shake were born in Almería, Spain (home of the spaghetti western) and incorporate early Motown influences like The Foundations and Stevie Wonder into these tracks. And they sing in English!
Amazon (“Trippin’ the whole colorful world”) | My Space | Sunny Day Records
Los Immediatos “4 tickets to Wonderland”
Another great Spanish band, thanks to IceCreamMan for finding this one. Even more psychedelic sounding, it would fit with all your favorite bands on Rainbow Quartz, like The Cynics and The Ugly Beats. Los Immediatos are veterans of the Spanish 60’s scene, they even sell their music in vinyl format with a CD included.
Amazon | Sunny Day Records | Get Hip
Los Imposibes “En Espiral”
Also from Madrid, reminds me of The Gripweeds alot. “Volveras” has great harmonies, and jangling riffs like The Byrds. Another great track here is “El Hombre en la Esquina” and the Farfisa organ leads the tune “The Sound Of My Heart” and its one of the tunes sung in English. Fans of classic pop of the 60’s bands like the Zombies or Sgt Pepper-era Beatles will really dig it.
Sunny Day Records | Direct | Get Hip
Biscuit “Memorabilia”
Hailed as one of the best rock and roll bands in Spain, Biscuit has more muscle and you’ll hear harder influences (Who, Redd Kross, Byrds, West Coast pop, MC5, power pop, garage punk). And of course, memorable hook laden songs all sung in English. Loads of crunchy Who like guitar riffs that will win you over without a doubt. Now released on La Castanya Records, some call it “Killer Garage Pop at its best.”
Amazon | Kool Kat Musik