The Big Spank
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The Big Spank

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | SELF

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States | SELF
Band Latin Rock

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Latin Ska sambas at the Launchpad"

Volume 16, Issue 12

November 16, 2010



CNM’s very own Mike Garcia took to the stage under the lights of the Launhpad and put on a show with his band, “The Big Spank.” The intention of the event was to highlight Latin Ska and the artists and musicians that are behind this genre.



The 18+ show featured four live bands to help demon­strate the style. They include three local bands and one from out of town. The bands were Gimme My Moon Back, Con Razon, La Banda Skalavera, and topping off the show was Garcia’s The Big Spank.



First to play on the eve­ning was:



Gimme My Moon Back:



This folk, reggae rock group formed in2007 and con­sists of three members: Lead Vocalist Sean Holbrook, Bassist Evan Webb, and Drummer David Salazar. They have released one record and the tracks “Gun Play” and “Plastic Stress” are a pair of hits that can be found there or on the inter­net at http://www.myspace. com/gimmemymoonback or http://www.facebook.com/ pages/Gimme-My-Moon- Back/142792595757607. This band displays rich vocals that are backed up with a strong bass and a disparate sound.



Con Razon:



Is a local band that traces their roots to the year 2004. When translated into English, the band’s name means “With Reason.” Con Razon includes Vocalist Javier Sandoval, his brother and drummer Marcus Sandoval and they are backed by the bass of Victor Magallanes- Flores. When asked about the language perforation in the songwriting process, Javier said “our songs are one song, one language, but we do like to mix it up a lot and add a little culture to our music.” The first CD the band released can be found on Amazon.com and was produced by produced by Fire Hydrant Records. Javier Sandoval added “Best show we have ever had, we had a blast.”



Con Razon are currently working on another CD and fully expect to have a release party in late January, early February. To check out some of their hits like “Catch ‘Em,” “The Test,” or “Rosa Maria,” make sure to look them up at http://www.myspace.com/ nmconrazon



La Banda Skalavera:



Lead Vocalist George Mercado describes his band as: “It is a play on words. ‘La Banda’ is an original tradition for the translation ‘the band’ and Skalavera is [a play on words] as well. ‘Ska’ plays on the type and ‘Lavera’ gives it that kind of rock edge. It helps us define our style. Our style is Latin Ska, which would be the correct way to identify us.”



La Banda Skalavera hails from Los Angeles, California and just got signed to a German record label. They have produced two albums and are hoping to complete their 3rd by the start of their summer European tour. They have been together for 12 years and consists of nine members: three trumpet players to gather everyone’s attention, two sax­ophonists to help serenade the melody, A bassist that adds to the flavor, A keyboard to help tie together the sequences and a singer that can switch from English to Spanish flaw­lessly. When asked about the profits involved with putting on a show like this Mercado responded “as a musician you just need to play, because that is what you love doing.”



The Big Spank:



Led by Applied Technologies very own Mike Garcia, The Big Spank is a Duke City band that has been rocking concerts for 12 years. They focus their music to the genre of Latin, dance and spunk and use this to energize the crowd. They have traveled coast-to-coast to put on shows and the distinct style of music makes them instantly recog­nizable and an instant hit at any event. In the future they plan to get back on the road (pos­sibly on the warped tour again) and gain a larger fan base, internationally and nationally. The Big Spank is true to its genre and even went down to Chihuahua, Mexico to put on a show there. For more infor­mation concerning the band, please contact them at http:// thebigspank.com/.


- Central New Mexico Community College Chronicle


Discography

The Big Spank - Gypsy Rug Burn - 2007
The Big Spank - Random Acts of Spank - 2004
The Big Spank - Waiting For Retzen - 2001

Available on iTunes, Amazon, CD Baby, LastFM

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Bio

THE BIG SPANK, which includes Bert Lujan (Drums), Mike García (Vocals/Accordion), Retzen (Trombone), Chris Tickner (Bass), and Javier Sandoval (Guitar), could have easily been content with this backyard approach to music, forever performing at every family graduation and quinceanera in the neighborhood. But with this collection of talented New Mexican musicians, there was an indefinable "something" that both casual onlookers and fans couldn't define. In fact, they most likely didn't think twice about it as most were too busy dancing away their cares to the band's latin-influenced party vibes.

There are stellar hooks, compelling melodies, firm song structures, and an innate collective ability to improvise. Like ever-changing cuttlefish, The Big Spank is able to read a crowd like they were tarot cards and created appeal on the spot. The Big Spank offers an amazing live performance leaving every crowd wondering what just spanked their ass!

García, the band's chief songwriter, packed a bag and a guitar and went on a 6-month hiatus in the heart of Mexico, with no real intention of coming back. Luckily for the group, he returned (heart broken for the umpteenth time) with a gleam in his eye and a seriousness that brings us to the present, and the reason you're reading this now. With a new arsenal of latin rhythms and new songs the album "Gypsy Rug Burn" was released in December 2007. Since the release of Gypsy Rug Burn The Big Spank has dug further into their New Mexican roots with a Mariachi Punk Rock apprach to song writing and performing.

After 2 years of continuous national and international touring, The Big Spank is concentrating on only playing major shows to larger crowds.

From the heart of South Valley Albuquerque to your hometown, this "spank" is definitely The Big Spank.