Funky Tejanos

Brownout

Aguilas and Cobras (Six Degrees, 2009)

In Austin (Texas) there is a thriving musical scene that includes musicians who are taking Hispanic Texan music in new directions. Brownout is a great example of this musical melting pot with its blend of Latino roots music, African American funk, psychedelic rock and Tejano border sensibility. They are a collective of musicians who play in other well known bands, such as Grupo Fantasma. Under the Brownout incarnation, the band performs an explosive mix of primarily instrumental pieces that draw inspiration from 1970s legends such as Sly and the Family Stone and San Francisco band Malo.

Afro-Latin rhythms, psychedelic organ, electric guitar riffs and brass characterize the Brownout sound. Aguilas and Cobras is Brownout’s new album on Six Degrees Records. "It’s funny because we can be rehearsing with Grupo Fantasma one night and then the next night the same group of guys can go back to the rehearsal room and rehearse as Brownout and the music is completely different," Guitarist Adrian Quesada says. "We’ve been lucky enough to be performing sometimes, where there’s a whole audience that’s not even familiar with Grupo Fantasma when Brownout is playing and vice versa. We’re definitely trying to keep the two separate. At the same time there’s no point in trying to hide the fact that it’s the same band."

"With this particular record we tried to take it in different directions trying to use vocals and certain things on the songs that you wouldn’t expect on a funk song or on a Latin funk song," Quesada explains. "Almost every tune with vocals on it was trying to really take the music on a wide left turn. We feel like we’ve already paid homage to the music before us and all of our influences and now we’re really trying to see if we can actually take the music somewhere and put our own stamp on it."

The group’s lineup on the album includes Greg Gonzalez on bass, Beto Martinez on guitar, Adrian Quesada on guitar, Johnny Lopez on drums, Sweet Lou on congas, Josh Levy on saxophones, "Speedy" Gonzalez on trombone and Gilbert Elorreaga on trumpet.

Brownout’s Aguilas and Cobra is an extraordinary Latin Funk recording by one of Texas’ most interesting acts.

Buy the CDs:

• In North America: Aguilas and Cobras. Other titles available: Homenaje
• In Europe: Aguilas and Cobras. Other titles available: Homenaje

US Tour Dates:

• Fri 9/11/09, Luna San Antonio, TX
• Sat 09/12/09, The MohawkAustin, TX
• Tue 9/15/09, Uncle Paulie’sEl Paso, TX 
• Wed 9/16/09, Club CongressTucson, AZ
• Thu 9/17/09, Zanzibar Santa Monica, CA
• Fri 9/18/09, The Elbo Room San Francisco, CA
• Thu 9/19/02, Continental Room Fullerton, CA
• Sun 9/20/09, Moe’s  Santa Cruz, CA
• Fri 10/9/09, Thirsty Hippo Hattiesburg, MS
• Sat 10/10/09, The EarlAtlanta, GA