Sometimes you come across a band completely by chance, and they change your musical outlook completely. Calexico is one such band.
A blending of Rock, Americana, and Tejano music- all horns, violin, guitar, and cracking drums, with trilling and thoughtful lyrics, they captured a time and place that was in my not so distant past. And while that place might seem caught in a PITII novel, it was just as important to my twenties and early thirties as any other music.
My first wife, a short and painful marriage arising from a semi-casual college relation, was from a small town south of Fresno, California. And while she was a tall, thin girl of Czech and Irish heritage, she grew up with and introduced me to the Portuguese and north central Mexican culture that had, over the years, emigrated there. Legally or not, they were such a part of that world that you could not but help breath in the culture. And that was very different than the Baja Mexicans who ended up in the section of Cali that I grew up in. This band really nailed that feel, and while our marriage was short, two years and a son, it did introduce me to a world I vastly preferred to the wealthy college community I was raised in.
Named after one half of a town that spans the US-Mexican border (Mexicali being the other half), Calexico was formed when bassist Joey Burns started playing with drummer John Convertino in 1990, both being in the long running band Giant Sand. Striking off on their own during a lull in performances, they have managed to capture the feel of the South West like no other band has, infusing jazz, Latin, and anything else that captures their fancy, from small, tight pieces to big, brassy numbers.
My ex and I divorced 25 years ago, our son has grown up and moved to NYC, and neither of us live in the deep valley. But, in the end, that area is the part of the state that I like the best, feel most at home in, and see as a true, defining part of California. A place I miss dearly.
Note: The cover art of the album Carried To Dust is what initially drew me to the band, as I was flipping through the CD’s at the library one time when my wife and I were broke. The artists name is Victor Gastelum, and his work here really captures the feel of the American Southwest as it currently stands. I have chosen to feature songs with his art, as opposed to the live performances that I normally choose for a piece such as this, mainly because I cannot think of a better place to showcase his style.
Enjoyed reading this and listening to these songs, you have definitely sparked my interest in exploring their catalog. That is one thing I love about subscribing to a music streaming service (I use Qobuz), it’s so easy to jump down musical rabbit holes. When I think of music that has a southwest US vibe the first thing that pops into my mind is New Miserable Experience by the Gin Blossoms. My all time favorite “break up” song is by a band from that part of the country , the Sand Rubies. https://youtu.be/db6AKTzepA0?si=3Mz0p2rConsMNM2W
It’s one thing I do miss about being younger… going to concerts every weekend. So many good bands that have faded and are no longer with us. Quite a few have no presence on most of the streaming services, and even finding individual tracks for some songs is tough.
Same here, I always enjoyed going to a venue that had live music. I find it intriguing to watch people display their musical talents, something I lack. My Mom played the piano and my Dad would sing. He had a great voice, people often said he sounded like Jim Nabors. Sadly none of those music genes got passed on to me.
Arizona has a sound? Just kidding: Gin Blossoms were a welcome alternative to all that dreary grunge.
Remember when all your neighbors had a home organ?
CatchTheCarp:
One of the local bands released all of their concert recordings/videos/etc. recently. Seeing ~30 year younger me in the videos was a stark reminder of how long ago it was. The girlfriend originally argued with me that it wasn’t me.
*sigh*
But that was when admission at the door was $5-10 (potentially a $2-5 upcharge for under 21), we had the concert box in the local alt paper (to have a single reference as to who all was playing where), and a group of guys who had no children or other responsibilities.
Yeah, we did a lot of pub concerts when I was in my 20s. Often low/no admission since the pubs made money on booze.
I like Calexico. I’ve heard them on the local Indy radio station in Philly (88.5).
Left of the dial was where cool weird stuff was to be found as young-un
Thanks Zwak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zifi9LBdKUA
My Southwest experiences start and stop with Freddie Fender
My southwest experience:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xIK0kzhEJzM
Heading out into the heat to mow the yard, I will listen to some Calexico while I’m at it.
I just came back in from mowing.
Same here. It’s hot out.
*checks thermometer*
Looks like 110 or so here.
dry heat.
Mowing done, ’til it rains or 2 weeks , which ever comes first
A sweltering 80, to hot though
Great story and background for your love of Calexico. I’ve listened to them a few times on college radio but never bough their stuff. That might have to change, thanks.
I’m similar to you where I have a time and a place associated with a lot of my musical tastes.
Here is my Austin in early 2000’s song.
https://youtu.be/vNiDk_NvplA
I also began listening to Los Lobos back in the 80’s after La Bamba. Turned out they weren’t just a 50’s nostalgia act. Stupid young Time learns a lesson and finds a new band to like.
https://youtu.be/WbGd9Pa_NC8
One thing that was great about the big band/swing revival of the 90s was bringing some of those forgotten names back into the limelight. It also lead to some easy bar bets back in the day, such as who originally performed the song “Sing, Sing, Sing”.
[Anyone who says, “It’s easy, Benny Goodman.” is wrong]
Yeah, and Dylan came up with All Along the Watchtower – then this other guy made it great.
More SW sound:
Metalachi (all I know of them is through the Radio Free California podcast)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_5y5KrBoO8
Is Sacramento SW? Obligatory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRZzUh9hcTo
Thanks Toxteth,
I won’t get that out of my head for a bit. It works well for some unknown and horribly good reason.
Damm, they are actually pretty good. Hot for teacher, Rainbow in the Dark, they both work somehow.
“Mexican American psychobilly”
Los Straightjackets waves hello!
East LA
BEER
Another story
Unemployment is still low at 4.2%, wage growth is steady, and the U.S. added a relatively healthy 139,000 roles in May according to the recent jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But a growing number of Americans are “functionally unemployed” according to a new report.
That’s a term that describes people who are not included in topline unemployment numbers, but are still struggling in the labor market. That includes people who are jobless but have stopped searching for work, as well as people who are employed but earning an annual salary of less than $25,000 a year.
Around 24.3% of Americans currently fall under that category, according to a report from The Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP), a nonprofit focused on economic and policy research. That’s up from around 22.3% two years ago.
Mainstream government economic statistics are wrong? I’ll be over here pretending to be surprised.
I’d like to hire two people ASAP.
I’m getting scrub applicants right now.
🙁
I need to hire another person asap too. I thought we had someone lined up but that fell through. We’ll see what the new pool looks like.
Nothing a bunch of cheap, unskilled, undocumented labor won’t fix.
The Ludwig Institute for Shared Economic Prosperity (LISEP), a nonprofit focused on economic and policy research.
Any bets on whether they’re a bunch of commies?
“Shared Economic Prosperity”
It’s right there in the name.
Worse – they’re Top Men
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eugene_Ludwig
Apparently we can thank that asshole for the CRA under Clinton, which greatly contributed to the sub prime crisis.
Beer.
Beer?
BEER!
BEER!!!!!!
[Several have lyrics that are NSFW]
There’s something that feels right about Brooksing a reply to Brooks.
BEERRUN – Todd Snider
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rxGbwiV4Mo8
How’s everyone? Spent the morning dealing with slashed tire thanks to the ICE chuckleheads.
Things are a little more calm around Casa TOK today.
Did you have a run-in with protestors, or was your car parked in an unfortunate spot?
Wait, what?
ICE is slashing tires now? Fucking Trump.
I also strongly approve of this.
To the 90s swing craze, I grew up in it. Bro’s 6y older, and I was 10 in ’97, and Colin was practicing drums at home and school. He, with me following, started in middle and high school jazz. He was in the HS jazz band around Cherry Poppin’ Daddies, and he got involved with music outside school, focusing on ska at that time.
The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies are tremendous musicians, with impressive vocals, with fun and well-written lyrics. (I’m not a dead set fan. But I absolutely appreciate what they were going for and achieved.) Drunk Daddy’s a great example of the combo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtIP9_7JcbM&ab_channel=CherryPoppin%27Daddies-Topic
Another favorite from that era was Presidents of the United States. Yep, silly songs about peaches and whatnot. But, uh? They’re great at coyly playing with their musical ability, cuz, damn. Those songs ain’t anythin’ easy.