East L.A. combo the Bloodhounds— Aaron “Little Rock” Piedraita on rhythm guitar, Johnny Santana on bass, Branden Santos on lead guitar and Mark Schafler on drums and percussion—will drop their debut album Let Loose next week on Alive Naturalsound, and it’s a heady brew indeed. R&B/punk/Latin rock never sounded sweeter, and because it’s so sweet we are gonna gift you, the erudite Blurt readership, with an advance stream of the record. Check it out.
The band refines roots rock for today’s generation, boasting a classic, soulful sound. With vocals reminiscent of Eric Burdon and Otis Redding, they sure stack up in the talent category. The album features long bluesy jams, suave singing, and lyrics true to the blues.
“The White Man Made Me Do It” finds Swamp Dogg once again marrying humorous social commentary and groovy soul.
Throughout the album, Collins captures everything from the chiming craft of Buddy Holly to the raw energy of the Ramones, and both at once with “Baby I’m in Love With You.” Those who’ve been soaking in music delivered by advertising, television and film, may be surprised at the total lack of apology with which Collins and his producer deliver the guitar, bass and drums. Red-blooded rock ‘n’ roll may have mostly lost its place in the mainstream, but it still resounds with youthful energy no matter your age.
We’ll take a triple dose of this bluesy garage-rock! RIYL early Stones, Yardbirds and Nuggets. The BIG TAKEOVER
Much like the LPs Albert King made for Stax Records, the music here is laid-back, groove-laden and soulful. The band’s roots in garage rock are betrayed by the record’s bourbon-soaked rawness, but it’s a blues record at heart, albeit one that owes as much to ’70s funk and late ’60s blues rockers Canned Heat as it does to the electrified Chicago blues of John Lee, Muddy and Wolf.
In the world of writing about popular music, comparisons are often helpful tools, but just as often completely useless. Is it helpful to mention that American band Handsome Jack, apparently from Lockport, New York, sound like what you’d get if you put Audience’s Howard Werth, Siren’s Kevin Coyne or even Mungo Jerry’s Ray Dorset in front of Humble Pie circa their 1973 ode “Eat It?” Hell no! But this record is probably more fun than the first Black Crowes record—which from an influence/aesthetics standpoint, it oddly evokes—and were it to bear a Harvest Records imprint and a 1970 copyright date, no one would bat an eye. Which must mean it’s really good. – Dave DiMartino
ROLLING STONE review of HANDSOME JACK “Do What Comes Naturally” here
From East L.A., The Bloodhounds play fresh, edgy R&B tinged blues with a hint of punk swagger and latin groove, but always with maximum emphasis placed on good old fashioned rock’n’roll.
Following in the footsteps of Cheech Marin, East Los Angeles Latino rockers the Bloodhounds kick off their debut album Let Loose with the weed-centric track, “Try a Little Reefer.”
About the song, Bloodhounds’ frontman Aaron Piedraita tells CelebStoner: “We have this friend that we’re always telling to try a little reefer, ’cause he’s always so stressed. His response is always, ‘No, it’s for losers!’ And so whenever he would pass out from drinking we’d blow smoke in his face and he’d always be smiling while he was asleep. We would always tease him afterwards and say ‘C’mon dawg, try a little reefer!'”
The band has a Stones-y retro sound drenched in Farfisa organ and harmonica. Catch them at numerous shows around Los Angeles throughout the month, including Oct. 10 at Loaded and Oct. 11 at The Grand Star. Let Loose comes out on Nov. 4.