DB and the Struggle

Carlos DB Montano is a charachter around town, a jovial fellow who's always passing out flyers and CDs, chatting folks up. He sings and plays guitar. He has a band called the Struggle. The Struggle are Kyle Oakes (on bass and didgeridoo), Sam Polanco (on drums), Gred Rodriguez (on sax), Leo "Loki" Esparza (on Trombone), and Sean Detwiler handling percussion. Their new EP is called Street Scars. Full of guitar solos and horns and chunky wah wah, the EP is bluesy funky stuff, saucy and laden with lament. Think Stevie Ray Vaughn, if he were a homey of yours from Fresno who's a bit down on his luck. The EP contains four tracks. "Street Scars" opens up slow and smooth, bu quickly cuts into a lively jam with an edgy Brand New Heavies vibe. "Feel it comin on" is a rocking blues piece with a wild modified guitar solo that, rather than participating in the song, seems to weeve its way around the song. On "A prophet's song," Carlos wails like a funy Lionel Ritchie; it's wonderful. And closing out the EP is "Crime don't pay," a delightful traditional blues jam with a local twist.
Unfortunately, with only four tracks, the EP satisfies, but not for long. Let's hope they'll be giving us a full length album soon. For now, though, the EP can be purchased at Spinners Records (639 E. Olive), Sacred Heart Clothing (101 W. Olive), and Yoshi Now! (648 Broadway).
It must also be mentioned that DB & TS are great live performers. On stage, their songs morph into more unrestrained jam sessions than is evident in their studio recordings. They've been getting folks off their feet for a few years now at venues all over the Valley, and the crowds are pleased, to say the least. - Abid Yahya- The Undercurrent Magazine (Fresno)

Carlos DB Montano is a charachter around town, a jovial fellow who's always passing out flyers and CDs, chatting folks up. He sings and plays guitar. He has a band called the Struggle. The Struggle are Kyle Oakes (on bass and didgeridoo), Sam Polanco (on drums), Gred Rodriguez (on sax), Leo "Loki" Esparza (on Trombone), and Sean Detwiler handling percussion. Their new EP is called Street Scars. Full of guitar solos and horns and chunky wah wah, the EP is bluesy funky stuff, saucy and laden with lament. Think Stevie Ray Vaughn, if he were a homey of yours from Fresno who's a bit down on his luck. The EP contains four tracks. "Street Scars" opens up slow and smooth, bu quickly cuts into a lively jam with an edgy Brand New Heavies vibe. "Feel it comin on" is a rocking blues piece with a wild modified guitar solo that, rather than participating in the song, seems to weeve its way around the song. On "A prophet's song," Carlos wails like a funy Lionel Ritchie; it's wonderful. And closing out the EP is "Crime don't pay," a delightful traditional blues jam with a local twist.
Unfortunately, with only four tracks, the EP satisfies, but not for long. Let's hope they'll be giving us a full length album soon. For now, though, the EP can be purchased at Spinners Records (639 E. Olive), Sacred Heart Clothing (101 W. Olive), and Yoshi Now! (648 Broadway).
It must also be mentioned that DB & TS are great live performers. On stage, their songs morph into more unrestrained jam sessions than is evident in their studio recordings. They've been getting folks off their feet for a few years now at venues all over the Valley, and the crowds are pleased, to say the least. - Abid Yahya- The Undercurrent Magazine (Fresno)