Huevos Rancheros (band)
Huevos Rancheros were a Canadian surf rock band from Calgary, Alberta,[1] active from 1990 to 2000.[2] Huevos Rancheros performed an instrumental blend of rockabilly, surf, garage and punk music.
Huevos Rancheros | |
---|---|
Origin | Calgary, Alberta, Canada |
Genres | Indie rock |
Years active | 1990–2000 |
Labels | C/Z (1992-1995) Mint (1995-2000) |
Associated acts | The Ramblin' Ambassadors |
Past members | Brent Cooper Tommy Kennedy Richie Ranchero Graham Evans |
History
Initially consisting of guitarist Brent Cooper, bassist Graham Evans and drummer Richie Ranchero,[3] Huevos Rancheros released the six-song EP Huevosaurus independently in 1990 before releasing the EP Rocket to Nowhere in 1991 on Estrus Records.[3] In its early years the band was sometimes described as a cross between Led Zeppelin and The Ventures.[3]
The band then signed to C/Z Records, which reissued Huevosaurus in 1992 before releasing the band's full-length album Endsville in 1993.[4]
In 1995, the band signed to Mint Records.[5] Around the same time, Evans left the band and was replaced by Tom Kennedy.[6] The band's instrumental rock record Dig In was released that year.[7]
In 1998, their album Get Outta Dodge was nominated for a Juno Award in the Best Alternative Album category.[8][2]
After touring in Europe with Duotang,[9] in 2000 the band released the album Muerte del Toro.[10][11] They broke up soon after, although they have performed occasional reunion shows at benefit concerts to raise money for a journalism scholarship named in memory of former Calgary Herald music critic James Muretich.[12] The reunion show lineup has featured Evans rather than Kennedy on bass.[12]
Cooper went on to found The Ramblin' Ambassadors, a three-piece instrumental band.[13][14]
Band members
Original lineup
- Brent J. Cooper - guitar
- Graham Evans - bass
- Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
2nd lineup
- Brent J. Cooper - guitar
- Tom Kennedy - bass
- Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
3rd lineup
- Brent J. Cooper- guitar
- Keith Rose - bass
- Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
Discography
EPs
- Huevosaurus (1990; reissued on C/Z Records in 1992)
- Rocket to Nowhere (1991)
- The Wedge (Mint Records, 1999)
Albums
- Endsville (C/Z Records, 1993)
- Dig In! (Mint Records, 1995)
- Longo Weekendo Fiesta (Lucky Records, 1995)
- Get Outta Dodge (Mint Records, 1996)
- Muerte del Toro (Mint Records, 2000)[15]
References
- "Band happy to hit big time from Calgary". Calgary Herald, 22 December 2000.
- "Ramblin' Ambassadors' Brent J. Cooper is an instro-rock ace". Georgia Straight, by Steve Newton on 16 May 2012
- "Spontaneity the name; Huevos Rancheros bring youthful enthusiasm". Edmonton Journal, 4 September 1992.
- "Huevos Rancheros get cracking with c'mon-and-dance message". Toronto Star, 23 September 1993.
- "Huevos Rancheros London bound". Calgary Herald, 26 March 1995.
- "Rancheros have nuevo Huevo; Band's twisted instrumentals continue with new bass player". Edmonton Journal, 24 July 1996.
- " Huevos Rancheros Dig In". AllMusic Review by Johnny Loftus
- "Top Canadian talent up for Juno awards". Vancouver Province, 12 February 1998.
- "Duotang Two Piece Suites". Exclaim!, By Chuck Molgat 1 Jul 2001
- "Huevos Rancheros Celebrate Their Tenth Anniversary With A Q&A".By Keith Carman, Chart Attack - 9 Jun 2000
- "The Chart Time Tunnel: Sonic Youth". Chart Attack, 25 Jun 2010
- "Huevos Rancheros reunite for scholarship benefit; Former local mainstays salute late music writer". Calgary Herald, 2 October 2010.
- "Rock of ages; Garage band veterans rev it up". Calgary Herald, 20 March 2012.
- "The Ramblin' Ambassadors Avanti". Exclaim!, By Craig Daniels 1 Oct 2003
- "Huevos Rancheros Muerte Del Toro". Exclaim!, By Rob Ferraz 1 Oct 2000