Quote from the band - "Listen, and understand, that TÃo Rico are out there! We can't be bargained with! We can't be reasoned with! We don't feel pity, or remorse, or fear and we absolutely will not stop... ever!"
The band were formed in late 2015 by Scott (bass/vocals) and was joined by Ed (guitar/vocals) and Matt (drums) and recorded a self-titled 5 track demo soon after. In September of 2016, the band recorded their debut single 'Mr Big Shot' and the following year, the 'Business and Pleasure' EP was released but it took a slightly different direction as the band moved away from the ska sound and moved into a heavier, punk/grunge racket! Scott from the band got in touch with us after we did a couple of gigs with them back in March, I remember those heady days when we were allowed to play our music to the adoring masses! It is with eager anticipation that I spin this disc, the shows we did with them and Rites of Hadda are up there with some of my favourite gigs. So to the album, 'Shit Show Pony'
'Don't Disturb The Clot' is the first track on the album, opening up with an excellent, treble-heavy bass and pounding drums interspersed with Ed's crashing guitar chords. The vocals (not sure if it's Scott or Ed as they both share lead vocal duties) have that style that you would most definitely find in the grunge genre, grating, hoarse but sitting sublimely within the mix. The song is mid-paced, the tone of the guitar is quite bright but maintaining that menace. A very good opening track.
Track two, 'Newspeak' has that Nirvana feel to it, both in pace, sound and the vocals. Drums and bass kick it off and the vocal are a bit cleaner until Ed storms in with the guitar and the track delves deep into that Nirvane-esque heaven. Hope the lads don't mind the comparison to Nirvana but it is quite evident. The track is slow and trudges along, dragging unwilling listeners with them. So far, two out of two excellent pieces of music.
'My Time, Your Money' is up next. I feel that comparing a band's piece of music to someone you may recognise is a bit of a cop out but to me, by making a comparison, you should get what I'm trying to depict in my inane scripture but for any Husker Du fans out there, you will love this song. I remember writing a gig review for Tio Rico and Husker Du was who this band remind me off. Bob Mould will be proud of you guys.
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A theme has certainly developed within this album and that is all or most of the songs seem to begin with the bass and drums, mixed with feedback, guitar crashes etc. Anyway 'Stay Happy' rears it's head from the vinyl, winding it's way out for your aural pleasure. A slow melodic (can I say melodic) track with some clever use of the guitar and echo on the vocals. This is not just a three chord wonder, the boys have been creative to place the cherry on the top of this musical cake. 'Stay Happy' is slow and thought provoking before it bursts into an up-tempo blast of noise, then it calms itself down again liked an excited teenager.
'Unfledged' is another reminder of that Husker Du sound. For once Ed hogs the limelight as he intro's the song then drums and bass launch into the attack. An up-tempo little ditty that very soon had me nodding my little head off as the drums up the ante before that Husker influenced vocal style kicks in (really wish I had the sleeve notes so I know who was singing hehe) Some nice bass work near the end to climax the song. Spot on little tune.... next!
And next is 'Permanent'. Mid-paced grunge with more 'shouty' vocals. At this point, I've realised there are no solos then bang! Ed produces a little nifty riff in the song and once again the distortion boots you up the arse, like an old dear pushing you forward in a queue as you're pondering what ever you're pondering. I look over my shoulder, acknowledge the old dear then move forward, head nodding (again) as 'Permanent' rises to a musical crescendo. Great stuff.
Think by this point Ed had taken over on point as his guitar bursts into life. This quickened number erupts like a firework up yer arse and removes you from your comfy sitting position. The drums are thundering away, driving 'Plastic' on it's course. A harder edge to this number, reminds me of 80's punk. Fast and a little bit manic but it's a controlled mania that teeters on the edge of losing control but Tio Rico manage to hold it back before it descends into the abyss. Control is maintained temporarily near the end as Scott boots out the guitar and drums to display his prowess on the bass, short-lived as the lads get miffed at his abuse of power and they storm in with a plethora of noise to finalise the song and draw it to an immediate close. My favourite track (up to now)
'Mon Femme' sounds erotic but the sound is hardly that! Ed maintains his newly acquired position on point, his axe flaming as he hammers the opening chords. This is ace! The pace is quick, very quick. It feels like someone is working away inside your head with a jack hammer trying to break your skull out from the inside, looking for a way out. Nothing much else to say really except that I 'rewound' the track and played it again before moving forward, stumbling into 'Don't Tell Me To Smile'.....
..... which kicks off with an East Bay Ray-esque guitar intro. Back to a mid-paced, Husker Du (again) song. I'm not sure if the similarity in their sound to Husker Du is deliberate or a Bob Ross 'happy little accident' - or not - but if it is, or isn't, I'm not complaining. The pace has returned to a normal mid-paced operating setting. Some clever guitar working at the end before it slams into a wall, stopping you dead in your tracks.
Penultimate time. 'Sadgasm' is the second to last ensemble. Another Nirvana sounding intro slows the pace. One could almost say this is a ballad. By far the slowest song but that does not detract from it in any way whatsoever. Some nice drum-work on this. The guitar drones in a nonchalant manner accompanied by the bass twanging away in the undercurrents of this fathomous ditty. Slow but most excellent dude!
Here we are. 'Shit Talker' draws it all to a conclusion. Vocals scream out over a subdued feedback before the heavy guitar driven drum and bass smack you in the face without saying sorry. Vocals are clever here, a mixture of frantic screams and 'speech'. Drums doubling-up at various points. The mood changes about two-thirds in. The chaos ceases as they enjoy a little musical interlude, experimenting with space. But it's short lived, again the proverbial wall comes slamming in your face but this time it floors you and leaves you lying on the floor in a bloodied mess but oddly enough, with a smile on your face. Job done!
To summarize, if you like grunge, punk, indie (dare I say it) Husker Du, Nirvana then you will love Tio Rico, if you don't, then move along and form an elderly queue behind the old dear until she wakes you up. Tio Rico deliver both on vinyl and in a live environment and I for one can't wait to get out on the road with these (and Rites of Hadda and MRI) once this shit-storm has passed, until then - stay safe, keep it real and buy this album. Peace out!
Words: DLW, Photos: RBY and Band Media.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tioricoband
Website: http://tiorico.co.uk/
Horn and Hoof Records Bandcamp:https://hornhoofrecords.bandcamp.com/