Bandera

Another Canadian Emo/Post-Hardcore band that hits the spot right here! Rockin' three piece out of Toronto. This scene is not making a big ruckus but the more bands I find in it the more impressed I continue to get with it. (For example: Ancestors.) Bandera has overtaken all of the others for me though and fit in with a lot of the Italian Emo groups that I listen to on a regular basis.

I think one of the things I enjoy most about this band is I cannot really play the "it sounds like..." game I always do. If I did I would just be reaching for the tiniest of influences and comparisons from all over the place. Actually I take that back. The thing I enjoy most are the excellent song titles. "Boogie Knights: Rock the Shocktopus.", "Don't Stop, or my Mom will shoot." and etcetera.

Anyway that's unimportant. I've been excited about this band for awhile. A few months back when I was visiting Toronto I started hearing about them from Darryl, who's in the band, and I remember thinking how it sounded awesome. He used to be in Tonnn (who I also hadn't heard at that point but did shortly after), and Eric from Red Hot Daggers was in the band as well. I knew I could expect great things from them. Awhile later he sent me some live recordings that sounded just as amazing as I was hoping for. Every once and awhile I'd throw them on and be pleasantly surprised and reminded that my hunch was correct--This band was gonna rule. Then I heard these mastered recordings and I think my appreciation of the band just doubled.

This are really groovin emo jams. It`s impossible to sit or stand still listening to it. The guitar pulls you around with addictive hooks, as you become completely absorbed and hooked on a section of the song, it switches to another which is just as addictive. Though it's got a really grooving feeling and it makes me want to jive about it still has some aggression to it. The vocals are shouted around the guitar and lend the songs a sense of urgency.

You can also grab the live recordings from their myspace. You should do that. They sound good but when you put them up against the crisp and beautiful master recordings you'll find yourself throwing away that "if it's punk it shouldn't be mastered" aesthetic and go right for the mastered version!

In summary. These kids rule, this band rules.

Listen & Grab Live Demo Here
Download Here


This ass kissery was brought to you by:
RD