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Vallejo
Stereo (VMG)
A classic rock swagger has defined Vallejo since day uno. Snaking through the dual guitar throw down of frontman A.J. Vallejo and Heath Clark on both 1998's Beautiful Life (TVT) and 2000's Into the New (Epic), it often sounded lifted straight off Señor Santana's Abraxas LP. With their latest, the independently released Stereo, the Vallejo crew has finally tipped the bottle all the way back and ingested the worm at the bottom. Their influences are now simply their sound, figuratively, not literally as with all young bands. The stone-cold hip shake of opener "Take a Ride" and its slinky, bongoed backup "Downtown" are as self-assured as El Mariachi himself. Funky hummer "Vices" is standard Vallejo, "Rock Americano" forced, but "Answers Inside" commingles a heavy-lidded Latin groove, deft syncopation, and a silver-tongued vocal from A.J. that recalls the glory days of Miami's unheralded Nuclear Valdez. The bob 'n' weave guitars skanking to Alejandro Vallejo's dance-step drums on KLBJ-sure-thing "Hard Times" add fuel to fuego, while the subtle psychedelic tweaks of instant repeater "So Damn Beautiful" finds Vallejo at its veteran best. Nowhere is this confidence more striking than on the easy-going acoustics of "Wait for Me." Even formulaic cruncher "Let's Talk About It" is a winner. There are few missteps on Stereo ("You Are," "Devils"), and the top-off bonus track, Wall of Voodoo's "Mexican Radio," is inspired, both in idea and teasingly techy glam-band execution. Bueno!
- Raoul Hernandez
Winners of Austin Music Awards’ Best Rock Band 2003, this fivesome show why on their full-lengther of straight-ahead, exceedingly radio-ready tracks that evoke a bit of the Rob Thomas / Santana formula. “Take A Drive” pumps on all pistons, and has an especially hooky chorus. “Down-town” deploys more of the same, with lyrics that are rootsy, goodtime r&r verbiage. “Vices” is another strong, radio-ready sounding tune that’s perfect for CHR tastes. A talented group with commercial instincts. - n/a
Discography
Stereo
(VMG Records)
Release Date: Nov 05, 2002
Into The New
(Epic Records)
Release Date: Aug 22, 2000
Interactive CD
(VMG/Art Attack Productions)
Release Date: Feb 10, 2000
Beautiful Life
(TVT Records)
Release Date: Oct 20, 1998
Vallejo (Shining Sun Cover)
(TVT Records)
Re-released Version Release Date: Feb 11, 1997
Vallejo (Sacred Heart Cover)
(IMI Records)
First Version Release Date: 1996
Sins EP
(Chapel Lane/VMG)
Release Date: December 1994; Re-released 1999
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
A striking blend of modern rock grooves, potent guitar work, Latin percussion and
soulful lyrics have made VALLEJO one of the most popular bands to hail from Austin,
Texas. Their music immediately hooks the listener right in, taking them on a rollercoaster
ride of musical beats and expressions.
Raised in the small Texas town of El Campo and than relocating to Birmingham, Alabama, The Vallejo Brothers were formed in 1990 by three brothers A.J. (Vocals, Lead Guitar), Alejandro (Drums), and Omar (Bass). The boys were introduced to music by the Latin sounds of Tito Puente, Herb Alpert, and Santana to name a few. Their influences have led this alternative band to have an eclectic sound of heavy guitar rifts with an edge of Latin rhythms and melodies.
The first door opened when the three brothers were in their early teens. Our musical career was fueled when our parents bought us three trumpets back when we were in our teens, says Alejandro. Between the three of us we were all over our schools music department - in jazz, marching band and symphonic band.
In 1995, drawn to the Live Music Capital of the World, the group moved to Austin, Texas. Over the next five years, VALLEJO released two albums on TVT Records. Their album Shining Sun was released in 1996, followed by the 1998 Beautiful Life, produced by Vallejo and Neil King. While sharpening their performance skills with a non stop touring schedule, the group also added James Diego Simmons on percussion and most recently Heath Clark as an additional guitar player.
With the new millennium upon us, Vallejo headed into the studio to begin the recording of Into The New. Produced by Michael Barbiero (Blues Traveler, Metallica, Guns N Roses) and the Vallejo Brothers, the album was recorded at Arlyn Studio (Austin, TX) and mixed at Blue World Music in Dripping Springs, TX.
Now the band is back in the studio recording eleven new songs for release in Japan on Universal Records. The album will include a remake of the Wall Of Voodoo classic Mexican Radio The Vallejo Brothers have enlisted the help of Austin producer/engineer Carl Thiel (Bob Schneider, Monty Montgomery) to capture the high energy sound of Vallejo on disc.
Were out to have a good time, says A.J. We want to play music that makes you wanna get up and be alive. A Vallejo show is an energetic experience, and the tightness of the bands chemistry is apparent the instant the first note is played.
VALLEJO is primed, poised and ready.
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