robbie jalapeno and the fabulous band of faceless bureaucrats
Bayswater, Western Australia, Australia | Established. Jan 01, 2014 | SELF
Music
Press
'.... The newly-formed robbie jalapeno & the fabulous band of faceless bureaucrats have one of the country's best band names and they back it up with some cool percussion that underpins an interesting county-funk combo on Far Horizons. ....' - DRUM Media Perth
... (the) band showed how unique sound can become with the right creative elements supported by years of experience. The sound draws you in with so much flavour and layering and depth that the air you breathe seems thick. Even eyes seem tunnel-visioned....
World music-esk, jungle percussion and the gorgeous strings of a single guitar, mandolin, violin and double bass really produce a mellow yet contemporary swing on stereotypical Mariachi. It produces the will to explore at a snail’s pace and devour every single beat produced by every single element.
... timeless and shows true music smarts. You don’t just watch Robbie Jalapeno and the Faceless Bureaucrats, you soak them up. It literally makes your skin tingle by your own heartbeat following the music.... a true example of experience and a band working together to produce well composed, amazing music that is good for centre of attention or left of centre depending on your mood. - Spaceship News
'... I can't believe there's only one guy on stage making that sound!' - Fan
Sling
rating: 5/5
The lyrics are very poignant, and extremely relevant to what is happening in our world. The music and the vocal artistry reflect this. I think this is a great song and I hope to hear more of this artist. - Triple J Unearthed
rating: 5/5
This track is well played and well sung. Great track - one that should be listened to more.
- Triple J Unearthed
Sling
rating: 5/5
The lyrics are very poignant, and extremely relevant to what is happening in our world. The music and the vocal artistry reflect this. I think this is a great song and I hope to hear more of this artist. - Triple J Unearthed
rating: 5/5
I absolutely love this song! It's haunting and catchy and I agree with the philosophy within the lyrics. Jimmy Little meets Nick Cave. I'm looking forward to hearing Robbie Jalapeno play live at the Swan Hotel in North Freo (a fairly regular haunt, I've heard).
- Triple J Unearthed
rating: 5/5
I absolutely love this song! It's haunting and catchy and I agree with the philosophy within the lyrics. Jimmy Little meets Nick Cave. I'm looking forward to hearing Robbie Jalapeno play live at the Swan Hotel in North Freo (a fairly regular haunt, I've heard).
- Triple J Unearthed
Discography
The Hotelkeepers' Friend (EP 2008)
Far Horizons / Nosferatu (doubleAA single 2011)
Mirror Man (single 2012)
Old Baxter (single 2012)
Carmina de Nihil (album 2014)
Photos
Bio
An enigmatic and reclusive figure in his home town, robbie jalapeno's influences stem directly from the 1980s and early 90s Australian post-punk scene - The Birthday Party and The Bad Seeds, The Triffids, The Go-Betweens, Ed Kuepper, The Gadflys. However the assembled band features professional musicians from all walks of life who bring elements of funk, garage pop, folk and chamber music to the mix to create a unique and eclectic sound.
Genre-wise, the band sits somewhere between alt-folk and alt-rock. The focus is definitely on acoustic sounds, but there is a harder and darker edge, both lyrically and rhythmically, which is hard to avoid.
The bureaucrats have recorded and
released 4 singles,'Mirror Man', 'Far Horizons', 'Nosferatu' and 'Old Baxter'
and , through the wonder on internet radio, have been quietly garnering a
worldwide following, with fans based in the US, Europe and (notably) Israel.
2014 sees the release of the band's debut album, Carmina de Nihil, recorded at various sessions between latenite studios in Bayswater, Behan St Studios in Bentley and The Wrong Sea Studios in Willetton, Western Australia. The album blends lyrical themes of existentialism, feminism and the frustrated inertia of modern times with the band's trademark swamp-infused rhythms to produce an individual and timeless record. Twelve tracks in just short of an hour of music showcase a unique take on the world. Never allegorical, ever doubtful, a love song is never simply a declaration for this band, but a moment to pause and ponder.
The title track from the album was nominated as a finalist in the rock category of the Australian Independent Music Awards for 2013, which is quite a feat for a partially-mixed and unreleased song!
Band Members
Links
