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Comments 0 | Recommend 4
July 10, 2008 - 1:16PM
Amy Nichol Smith
If any band from the Valley is going to make it as a mainstream act it's The Jericho Machine. I had to remind myself I was listening to a local band.
Robert Perez's voice is full and pure, but I couldn't help comparing him to lead singer Chris Cornell of Audioslave.
The album includes 12 songs that challenge the listener to consider one's existence. Perez is the sole lyricist and it shows. Nearly every song deals with very specific themes such as God, isolation and oblivion. As a concept album, it's a brilliant idea. The hour-long CD tells nearly the same story in a different way in every song .
On the surface, The Jericho Machine appears to be a Christian rock group, but they certainly don't label themselves as such. The album is controversial and effectively forces one to overanalyze the lyrics, thereby encouraging conversation and perhaps that's just what Perez set out to do. I find myself singing to a few tracks I've only heard a couple of times. The Jericho Machine are a talented trio and I'll probably continue listening to some of their songs.
3 out of 4 stars
Worst: "Flavor"
Best: "Portable Sun"
Amy Nichol Smith is a freelance writer for The Monitor. She can be reached at (956) 683-4420.
- The Monitor
"These guys are going to put the Valley on the map" Mighty Mike Quinn, Program Director.
"The Jericho Machine is the best unknown rock band that I've ever played a show with." J. Lauren of Hurt - KFRQ94.5 The Rock Station
FESTIVA'S INFINITE PLAYLIST: Free MP3 download!
Comments 0 | Recommend 0
October 9, 2008 - 1:17PM
Zack Quaintance
We've all made mix tapes. We've all cobbled together eclectic collections of songs. We've sent them to lovers. We've sent them to enemies. We've sent them to frenemies. Mix tapes make up part of the music fan experience. And right now is a good time to be a music fan in the Valley. The local scene has grown bigger and better. So why not make a mix tape?
We're going to feature a new song from a local artist each week here on our pages. And after you read about it, you're welcome to log on and download the song from our Web site at www.themonitor.com/festiva or listen to it streaming on our MySpace page at www.myspace.com/festivarocks.
In a few months, you should have enough music for your very own Valley mix tape. Enjoy, and rock out.
TRACK 1: Jericho Machine - "Portable Sun"
>>>>>RIGHT CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD<<<<
Robert Perez is the mastermind song writer behind the Jericho Machine, one of the Valley's fastest rising bands. Perez, along with bassist George "Ogre" Giraldo and drummer Adrian Varela, formed the alternative rock band Jericho Machine in November of last year. The band dropped its debut album "Educated Donkeys" this summer. Perez picked "Portable Sun" as the song he wanted to feature from the album. Listen to it now on our Web site www.themonitor.com.
MySpace plays: 3,587 plus
Written On: January 2008
Recorded At: Drums at Master Productions in Weslaco. Recorded guitars, bass and percussion at Charlie Vela's studio in Edinburg. Vocals record at DeWayne GoLightly's studio in Mercedes.
Produced By: Charlie Vela and DeWayne GoLightly.
What the Song Writer Says: "On the album, ‘Portable Sun' is one of the few songs inspired by a personal relationship. I presume that the result of its popularity is because most people can relate to it despite the ambiguity, but I doubt that they know what it's about unless I've explained. When an individual does express inquiry, I usually tell them the truth, but sometimes I'm too embarrasses, or too lazy to take off my ambiguity armor to elaborate...........After experiencing the vivid reality of basically what could be described as an attempted murder by my ex-girlfriend, I struggled to understand how someone could get to that intense level of desperation. I was stabbed with a Swiss Army knife and lacerated by a pizza slicer, the knife in my side and in the back directly on my spine and the pizza slicer on my collar bone and neck. There were, however, many knives thrown or thrust at me that fateful night, fortunately only two hit their respective targets. I think that this person really thought that all their pain would be released if they could only bequeath it to me." -- Robert Perez.
For fans of: Pearl Jam, Nickleback, Audioslave.
Zack Quaintance covers features and entertainment for Festiva. You can reach him at (956) 683-4447.
"Portable Sun"
Sharp and searing, calibrated knives, disguised as words uncovered, yelling.
From your eyes that look at me like death is an epiphany.
Where some recover other people don't and they like the earth that's giving way.
And pulling them under.
But when they're gone tomorrow and nothing much has changed from when.
We were self preserving, ordinary, sane, then change me because I need.
Complete frustration.
And I isolate myself when nothing's going wrong and I'm sorry I don't call.
But I'm writing to my mom, trying to explain how my mind works
And it's so deceptive, erratically precise, and purposefully dissonant when
Offering advice to sabotage the world refusing to move forward
When you're gone tomorrow and nothing much has changed from when
We were self preserving, ordinary, sane
It's the existence of problems we must thank, thank for the growth of
Thinking, conscious hungry brains
Thank me when I need complete
Frustration.
- The Monitor/Festiva
Discography
Educated Donkeys-2008 Full Length CD
Divided Dilusions- single Regional airplay
Mosquito Hunting- single Regional airplay
Photos
Bio
The Jericho Machine
thee jer-i-koh muh-sheen/ Pronunciation - Show Spelled Pronunciation [thee jer-i-koh muh-sheen] –noun
1. a mechanism that enables people to collapse their mental boundaries. The thought process that supports the progression of one's destiny.
The tangible embodiment of this process is projected in the music performed by Robert Joseph Perez (vocals/guitar),
Ogre (bass), and Adrian Varela (drums).
The concept of The Jericho Machine began with the vivid imagination of one Musician. The long journey of Robert Joseph Perez finally culminated when Lazi Boi Productions created the first concept album.
Originally, the project began as one man's dream to express his talents as a writer, composer, and musician. In February 2007, Robert hit the studio on a mission, armed with two guitars his beloved acoutic Taylor "Britney Spearswood" and his electric Ibanez "Beyonce". Layer upon layer of guitar tracks were laid down, establishing the core of the album. With the album nearly completed, it became apparent that a band should be formed to showcase the music to the world. Robert knew exactly who he wanted! The stage was to be shared with two individuals who have the same drive and dedication to create art for the masses. George "Ogre" Giraldo made the sacrifice of moving back to the Rio Grande Valley from San Antonio, aspiring to elevate his game to the next level. As for Adrian Varela, the prize drummer in the Valley, the transition was much easier. All three are linked with the common goal of becoming "Rock Superstars"and they sure aren't wasting any time making their mark locally. The band was born in November 2007, and momentum was surely on their side. The music of The Jericho Machine and the strength of Robert’s voice soon caught the attention of Mighty Mike Quinn (program director at Q94.5 FM). The Jericho Machine became the first Local Act to be showcased live on the air in the Q 94.5 radio studio and two singles off their debut album "Educated Donkeys" are gaining popularity in the local charts. The Jericho Machine has won several local contests and is also very fortunate to have shared the same stage with Major Lable Artists: Flyleaf, Vince Neal, Hurt, Alien Ant Farm, Supagroup, Jet Black Stare, and Midnight to Twelve.
The Jericho Machine released its debut album July 4, 2008. "Educated Donkeys" is locally distributed at Hastings and Best Buy.
The book, "THE JERICHO MACHINE" is ready for print and scheduled to be released in conjunction with the LIMITED EDITION "Educated Donkeys" compact disc. The book serves as a means of interpreting the words and thought process of Robert Perez.
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