DiegosUmbrella.com
Myspace
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Experimental
/ Flamenco / Rock
"Spanish Surf Mexicali Gypsy Pirate Polka"
Near-arrests, surprise shows, Pabst for breakfast, haircuts with
benefits, relentless soul-piercing, trying to look cool while running
in a circle at a high-altitude, Tesla Coils, business crass, kefir,
truckloads of new friends, bags of money, megadoses of Vitamin B,
hitting the circuit, and watching the magical way that a yes 2 becomes
a yes 5 by week 3. It was the best of times, it was the best of times.
Our SXSW tour was unbelievably fun, exhilarating, and exhausting, and
we wouldn't have it any other way. We are already back at it here in
the bay, playing shows and recording the jams that you'll be
dry-humping to before you can say, "juerga!"
Lasers, lesbians, and of course, Ponce de Leon. You will find all this
and more on the epic new Diego's Umbrella album, guaranteed to hit you
harder than your Mom's new boyfriend. Summer, 2009.
Diego’s Umbrella is a San Francisco-based quartet that has been
acclaimed as the harbinger of “Spanish Surf Rock.” The group was
founded in Santa Cruz around 1999 and immediately gained notoriety
within the thriving surfing community after releasing its debut album.
Subsequently its members relocated their base to San Francisco, where
their popularity and fan base has continued to grow as Diego’s Umbrella
exposes its unique blend of Latin, Acoustic Rock, Pop, and Flamenco to
audiences of all types.
The musical prowess of the musicians who comprise Diego’s Umbrella is
evident in their searing Latin-based grooves. The novelty of their
sound is heightened by their incorporation of instruments such as
nylon-stringed Spanish guitar and upright bass, which augments the
richness of their music. Yet it is their interminable sense of humor
that really makes their distinctive sonic blend all the more palatable,
and this humor is one of a range of emotions which is manifested on
this latest release, “Kung Fu Palace.”
"Diego's Umbrella is a catchy fun album
that is pleasantly addictive. The songs will be floating in your head
long after the stereo is turned off. Muy bien gentlemen."
"Truly, a band that
exemplifies art and courage. A masterpiece of blended styles that
leaves the listener satisfied that this band really means it! Strange,
Fun, Dancable and even Dramatic, if you like Sublime or Buena Vista
Social Club, you will like this!!"
Diego’s Umbrella is yet another example of the great variety of music
coming out of the San Francisco Bay Area right now, and also a sign
that there really is no longer a “San Francisco Sound.” The “Spanish
surf” groove for which this band has become known is as strong as ever
on its latest release, Viva La Juerga.
Even a cursory listen to the classical guitar and violin-laden
instrumental “Theme of the Glowing Amigo” will conjure images of
wandering sombrero-topped musicians performing in Mexican restaurants
on Mission Street. And yet as “Here As I Lay” begins, the vocals and
electric guitar are outright American pop rock. The reggae-like beat
and accordion further place the song in its own world pop universe, and
with its memorable “Do you like me now that I’m gone?” chorus, “Here As
I Lay” plays like a potential hit single for those who like the idea of
a Latin-tinged Sublime.
The most extreme example of genre jumbling is “The Fiberoptic Elflord.”
The title says all one needs to know about the fantastical silliness
running through the lyrics. However, it says nothing about the sound.
Starting with a vaguely Brazilian beat underneath a scratchy record
effect, adding a ska-inflected verse, throwing in some dub reggae
flourishes in the chorus, and with some polka madness stirred in as
well, the end result is uncategorizable except to say that whacked
prankster side of Mr. Bungle lives on in spirit here.
With Viva La Juerga, Diego’s Umbrella has created a worldwide
smorgasbord of fun music that ultimately plays like a cultured clown’s
party mix. There’s no grand, sweeping theme tying together all of the
disparate elements, but this may result in an album that sounds more
like just a collection of songs than a solid whole, it suits the tone
of the material just fine. (Barndoor Records)
-Michael Fortes
Tickets: $8
CASPAR INN.... A PLACE TO MEET, GATHER AND
SOCIALIZE. CELEBRATING LIFE, LOVE AND MUSIC. 21+ Restaurant opens at 6.
Full Bar. Dance Floor. Showtime 9:30pm.
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