Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.

Strait up rock 'n' roll

p6n5h13d
Los Hombres de Los Straitjackets both intimidate and amuse fans with their wacky Mexican wrestling masks.

When Los Straitjackets step onstage wearing Mexican wrestling masks and matching medallions, one might begin to worry what exactly is going to happen. Then the band grabs their guitars, plugs them into the amps and starts blasting out instrumental surf and rock 'n' roll jams.

Although the masks don't exactly correlate with the music that Los Straitjackets play, they do help personify the idea of fun that the band is trying to convey.

Los Straitjackets have been playing together for 15 years, and with their recent seventh LP release, Supersonic Guitars in 3D (which includes a pair of 3D glasses), released Sept. 9 on YepRoc Records, the band doesn't see an end in sight. Los Straitjackets will bring their Mexican wrestling masks and instrumental rock 'n' roll to Nita's Hideaway on Friday night.

Although the band won't be playing any songs with vocals, guitarist Eddie Angel says the band doesn't need lyrics to continue being successful as they have been for 15 years. Through their career, some of Los Straitjackets' albums have featured vocals, but Angel says it's difficult to come up with rock lyrics.

"We've done a record with guest vocals and done a few tours with vocals," Angel says. "It's difficult to come up with rock n'roll songs, but mainly it is difficult to come up with good rock 'n' roll lyrics. With instrumental music you don't have to worry about it so much. When rock 'n' roll does have lyrics, we don't want to hear about politics and poetry."

Los Straitjackets define their rock 'n' roll in short, succinct surf and instrumental jams. The longest song on Supersonic Guitars clocks in at three minutes and 16 seconds. Angel says the band recorded the album in about four or five days.

Los Straitjackets at Nita's Hideaway, Price Road and Southern Avenue in Tempe on Friday at 8 p.m., all ages. $10. 480-966-7715.

"We were going more for an edgier sound on the new album," Angel says. "There is a variety of things on the album, a wide spectrum of songs."

The band won't be going off on any long instrumental jams during its live show, but it will feature band choreography and spontaneity.

"We do stupid things (during our live show)," Angel says jokingly. "I stand on one knee and play guitar. We do stuff that a band would have done in 1962. We wear matching outfits and play matching guitars, something that a surf band would have done in 1962-all in the spirit of fun. Our basic philosophy is that rock 'n' roll should be fun and exciting."

After 15 years of playing together, one would think that the band would have difficulty in coming up with fresh, new ideas within the spectrum of instrumental rock. However, Angel says the opposite is true.

"The longevity of the band has to do with our chemistry as a band. And it's the same with the songs," Angel says. "When we get together, we don't have any problems coming up with songs. One member usually has an idea for a song, and we take it from there. We write a lot as a band."

Angel says he's surprised that he has been able to make a living off of playing instrumental rock music for so long, especially since the market may not be as big as other music genres. However, this doesn't discourage Los Straitjackets or inhibit them from playing loud rock 'n' roll.

"If you're a fan of rockabilly or garage or surf music, you'd be interested in (the live show)," Angel says. "We try to be fun and exciting. It's about guitar rock 'n' roll."

Reach the reporter at steven.ganczaruk@asu.edu.


Continue supporting student journalism and donate to The State Press today.

Subscribe to Pressing Matters



×

Notice

This website uses cookies to make your experience better and easier. By using this website you consent to our use of cookies. For more information, please see our Cookie Policy.