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BANDS: Punk
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Esquevez: Something Tan (EP)
Listen to "Something Tan" from Esquevez after predetermining that it will most likely resemble "Something Brown," and get ready for a shock. It's fine to be skeptical the world needs another "Jam Band" playing at neo-hippie fests such as Bonaroo and H.O.R.D.E. like a baby seal's neck needs a plastic ring from a six-pack of Mountain Dew. However, Esquevez provides the soul shakedown dancers with a groove that doesnt get old once the ecstacy or L.S.D. wears out. Thats probably because this isn't your run-of-the mill Nu-Grass band that makes you boogie just until you run out of cocaine. The title track on this album
is a wah-wah infused tribute to Jimi Hendrix and Phish, two mainstays of the
jam-band culture. Thats how it
starts off at least. Then the boys of Esquevez add in a cup of Pittsburgh-based
ingredients to this instrumental track to give a new taste to a traditional
flavor. First and foremost, this is a rock quintet instead of an indulgent
psuedo-bluegrass revival attempt that is the trendy plague of this jam-band era.
The album respectably shifts from high-energy booty shaking extravaganzas
to chilled out moments of reflection so as to allow the band and fellow
groove-sharers the opportunity to fetch a cool Sierra Nevada pint from the bar.
Dank! With "American
Standard," you are led to believe that you are being taken into a
psychedelic cover of "Billie Jean," but thankfully, it turns into
another signature Esquevez party-time anthem. You can actually hear the audience
in the background screaming about how they're ready to get down on this live,
recorded version of the song. There is a lot to set Esquevez
apart from the other jam-bands that seem to be popping up faster than
baby-boomers did over fifty years ago. Sebastian
Albu and Peter Zabransky are not the typical attention-whore guitarists that
feel the need to delve into a world of absurdly virtuoso showmanship with their
instruments. They leave room for a funky pornographic soundtrack that boasts the
talents of Carl Costick (bass) and Jim Merenda (keyboards). The funky drummer for this outfit is Dan Hildebrand, and he
does an impeccable job of keeping up without rushing. For a fledgling band that
has paid dues locally, their solidarity is admirable. Just the fact that other
guitarist/frontmen such as Trey Anastasio and Steve Kimmock tend to hog the
limelight is discouraging for a band in this genre to have hopes of making it
out of their area codes. There is a slight moment of
confusion with their song "Blue Cheese" simply because there aren't
many bands in their scene that implement a super-fly styled soundtrack under a
rap freestyle, but it is refreshing to hear a psychedelic rock band sing
"party people tear it up and all you girlies shake your butts." You can hear the Herbie Hancock influence without feeling
like it's a bite on the man's style. Without
knowing if the Esquevez hip-hop flow is about social consciousness, having some
kind of harmless fun, or even just a gimmick, it's hard to say if it fits or
not. It's up to the listener to
make that call when the time comes, but either way, the only other hippie-loving
bands that flirt with hip-hop are Ozomatli, Soundtribe Sector 9 and Medeski
Martin and Wood. Undoubtedly, that is a welcome change in the scene. Whatever, I
ain't mad atcha! P.S.-Every
neo-hippie is gonna admit to being a Bob Marley and Talking Heads fan, and these
guys pay an homage to the heroes of their scene with a reggae infused tribute to
the new wave on the appropriately titled, "The Mellow."
Light it up kind brothers and sisters!
Just kidding, the kids are alright as long as they're not sucking on
nitrous tanks getting all silly on the junk.
This album can be purchased at Amazon and CDBaby LEFT OFF THE DIAL's Esquevez page About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
