Album Notes

Some bad ideas are actually good ideas. Pancho Ballard and the Banditos were born in a bedroom in the North West of England as a 'make-your-own-fun' recording project for Darren Riley. A big bubbling pot of Mexicans, cowboys, surf guitar and spaghetti westerns, it started as one song (Mexican Elvis) and became a full album and a unique live band.

Whilst never intended for public consumption, Darren (henceforth known as Pancho) played an acoustic version of Mexican Elvis to some friends at work - they liked. He then played it at an acoustic night in town - they liked. So he put a few tracks online for people to listen to - the listeners, they say yes! It seemed inevitable that a gig with a full band would have to follow pretty soon and the chance came when a friend of Pancho's was asked to put a band together for a gig that was to commemorate the passing of a local comedian and poet, Hovis Presley. It seemed the perfect place to launch a Mexican-cowboy-surf-spaghetti western band.

The gig was a ridiculous, hilarious success. Not only was the music exciting, entertaining and often funny but Pancho also discovered a talent for making the audience laugh between songs. They also appreciated the free packs of Doritos he threw out too (sadly this album is offered without corn-based snacks but you can buy your own if you so wish). Within a couple of weeks a brass section was added and the whole town was talking about the band - "Have you seen Pancho?"; "Are you going to see the Banditos?"; "Ay caramba!" Indeed, the aforementioned Darren Riley was now called Pancho as much as his birth name and that continues to this day.

Whilst not touring heavily, the Banditos have had many high-points in their four year existence, the highest of which would surely have to be a small tour supporting English comedian, Dave Spikey. They played to sell-out audiences for 7 dates across the North of England and North Wales, from Barrow to Stafford, Caernarfon to Leeds and three other places inbetween. The tour was a great success and spurred the band on to continue to develop and hone their unique mix of sombreros, guitars, trumpets and Doritos.

This is the Banditos' debut album, almost all of which was recorded in a small bedroom in Bolton. It is best listened to by candlelight with lots of friends, tapas, wine and tequila. And sombreros, you've got to wear sombreros. Because, you see, some bad ideas are actually good ideas.