Album Notes

Formed in the summer of 2003 in Manhattan, New York City and currently residing in the distant borough of Brooklyn, cholo is vocalist/guitarist/saxophonist Felipe Flores, vocalist/guitarist Rosa Bordallo, bassist Gary Gartlan and drummer Dave Kibbel.

Coming from disparate backgrounds (Felipe from Peru, Rosa from Guam, Gary from Ireland and Dave from, uh, New Jersey), age (Rosa joining at 19), and musical taste, cholo has developed an assertive indie/experimental/garage rock sound with quirky aggressive hooks, wayward male/female vocals, and unconventional use of saxophones all with a strong rock undercurrent.

The group recorded it's self-titled debut LP "cholo" in Brooklyn, New York in late 2004 and self released it September 2005. This first recording offers an early look at a band whose shoes are starting to scuff and on the cusp of defining their sound for recordings to come.
The term cholo is used in the Peruvian context with a double meaning that is both derogatory, as in an indigenous Indian living in urban surroundings (i.e. redneck, bumpkin), as well as a half-joking term of endearment. But in essence, it is a term for the underdog, representing the negative classifications used to define people by class, race, color and/or religion.

With much praise and adulation, cholo have played some of Manhattan's premier rock clubs, sharing bills with noteworthy bands such as: Nikki Sudden (of The Swell Maps), Vic Thrill, Mobius Band, Say Hi To Your Mom, Kilowatthours, The Bennies, and The Cuban Cowboys, to name a few. Felipe has also moonlighted with Beggars Banquet/Too Pure recording artist Ill Ease and Bloodshot recording artist Cordero.