HERMANOAlthough brought together as a “side-project”, it was clear from the beginning that Hermano was indeed a band. Hermano entered the recording studio for the first time in the spring of 1999. Initial sessions were funded by infamous cult artist Frank Kozik. Completed in the winter of 2000. “…Only A Suggestion” finally appeared in the summer of 2002, and started touring. The success of these now legendary tours, and the response of audience around the world, motivated the group to begin the process for a follow-up release. Again slowed down by legal hurdles, it would be another two years before the follow-up could begin production. During this period, drummer Steve Earle began to focus on his solo career, and asked that Supafuzz drummer Chris Leathers to fill his shoes. Chris joined the band for the first time at the Azkena Festival in Spain in 2003 and was remained an official Hermano thereafter. During this period, Hermano proved itself a force to be reckoned with. The live show were intense. The music hit a nerve. It was also pointed out by the press and fans that Hermano shunned the typical "rock star" stance: Hermano is about friendship, family, expression, art and life as they know it... no battle-of-the-bands, no dreams of grandeur... just a group of guys with values and talent who enjoy being with each other and making music together whenever possible. In 2004, Hermano’s members began exchanging snippets of song ideas via courier and the internet. Tracks were created over international calls and bottles of Jim Beam. Glasses were raised across phone lines as the band's drummer Chris Leathers finally entered a studio in Atlanta to begin the drum tracks for the album... yup, just Chris! The new record would be created by each member recording his parts in a separate studio in a different city, alone. Strange? Not to Hermano, a band that persists in the face of geographical obstacles, its various members by this point all living in separate cities from Joshua Tree (CA) to Atlanta (GA) to New Orleans (LA) to Boca Raton (FL). John, Dandy and Dave continued to refine the Hermano sound with focused writing, brought from years of touring and creating as a band. Songs like "Life", "Roll Over", "Is This OK" and "Brother Bjork" found the band moving forward yet remaining true to Hermano’s sound. As one can imagine, the members were anxious to hear the final outcome of months of writing and weeks of tracking without seeing one another. The band finally sat down face-to-face, together with their manager/producer Ram in Atlanta for four days of mixing sessions. Pleased with the outcome, Hermano’s sophomore album, “Dare I Say…”, was released on Suburban Records in Europe in the autumn of 2004, and in February 2005 on MeteorCity in North America. Still characterized by heavy blues roots, “Dare I Say…” added a new edge with 70’s rock and punk-fueled tracks like “Quite Fucked" and "Cowboys Suck," and Hermano was ready to hit the road and take their sound back to the people. Joined by Olly Smit (Celestial Season) on second guitar, the band’s European tour for “Dare I Say…” was hailed as one of the most anticipated and refreshing productions of the year, an attitude affirming that the power and emotion of honest rock are here to stay. During the final months of 2004 and 2005, Hermano continued to tour when possible in Europe and select US cities. Audio and video from these tours is being culled for a live CD(2005) and DVD (2006), asa “thank you” to the fans that support underground music.
The next chapter ". . . into the exam room” The title says it all . . . into the exam room of life and the struggle and elation that comes with the relationships that exist around all of us. Standing as the band’s most emotional release to date, this album comes straight from the heart, reflecting the growth and maturity of Hermano since their formation in 1998. With this release, Hermano has delivered the most ripened collection of material since their inception. No longer fitting into the simple and over-used moniker of “stoner rock,” with this release they’ve cleared away the “stoner” and left the “rock” to stand-alone. Refreshing, and inspirational, “. . . into the exam room” isn’t just a throwback to the authentic tones of the 60’s and 70’s. It’s the here and now. It’s all of the nuances that you’ve been wanting out of rock music that were seemingly lost in the sea of bands that sounded alike, looked identical, and were promoted inthe same suit. Hermano have made their own clothes. Recorded in various romantic locations all over the United States (in the high desert of California, by the Great Lakes of Ohio, in the deep south of Georgia, and in the rolling meadows of Kentucky) , the material for this album traveled over 30,000 miles before ending up in the mixing studio with the master of sonic passion, Mr. Russ-T Cobb, and at its final destination under the consummate mastering techniques of Glenn Schick, both in Atlanta, Georgia. Both being “watched by the executioner” Ram Lauwrier as executive producer. Beyond what you have come to expect from the music that surrounds you today, but containing everything you want and need, “. . . into the exam room” asks if you are ready to explore and elevate your senses. Please, enjoy!
Line up: Vocals: John Garcia Management: Ram Lauwrier MySpace Discography
|
