Album Notes

Since their formation Los Albertos have been creating a frenzy upon the dance floors and grassy fields of Europe with their inimitable foot-stompin’, brass-blarin’, and rip snortin’ high energy blend of ska, punk, funk, dub and original beats. Drawing upon a peculiarly twisted English humour (where The Comic Strip meets League of Gentlemen) this six-piece throw in some dynamite horn, guitar and drum action and invariably you end up with a band firing on all cylinders. It’s dance music, Jim, but not as we know it…Their first album, Los Bop, contained such classics as Cheeky Rascal, Bossman, Mr Chip and Pikey Killed My Goldfish. In 2006 they released a new 12-track album Information Overload, with killer tunes such as Friends, Heal, Leavin’ the Band, Scientist, Resist and Beer Panic. Direct comparisons are impossible but listen closely and you can hear the ghosts of Lee Perry hanging out with Joe Strummer whilst Count Basie drops by with Carlos Santana and chews the fat about Ian Dury and all the Madness in the air! – a riotous flurry of horn-driven ska, drum and bass, and swing, capped off by a cheeky persona, naughty lyrics, but with a thoroughly contemporary feel. And it’s the sheer energy and fun that binds all this into what is the Los Albertos sound. Lyrically, they cast a net far and wide, whether about the joys of going to festivals, psychedelic experiences at dental surgeries, celebrating life, calling in sick, information overload, stupid governments, nice men from next door, drinking beer and, of course, love… Five of the band sing, they all write songs, and they all inject a crazy energy into the music which is just bloody good fun. Already they have gained a big and loyal following with gigs at many of the best festivals in the United Kingdom and Europe including Glastonbury, Beautiful Days, Shambhala, Larmer Tree, Spraoi and Lovebox Weekender. And their residency at Brighton’s Joogleberry is the stuff of legend. 2007 was another busy year for this hard working band, playing over 100 gigs including a three week trip to Italy, a residency at the infamous Late’n’Live at the Gilded Balloon in Edinburgh, a couple of UK tours, and headline shows at the Brighton Fringe Festival, Bath Fringe Festival, Lost Vagueness and Secret Garden Festival. 2008 will see them do the same plus release a new album (with producer Al Scott), and continue their onward march into Europe and beyond with the simple aim of spreading their big, bouncy and happy vibes…"Part nice men from next door, part cheeky rascals, all fun, Los Albertos lit the festival fuse with a Spiegeltent-packing, foot-stomping, rip snorter… playing ska-based dance music of the highest order – the guitarist ranges from chicken scratch to Carlos Santana, saxs’ and horn go from wall of brass via horn stabs to klezma reediness, the bass is fat and solid, and the drummer is just superb. The lyrics are tight, contemporary and a bit naughty – perfect!" 3 Weeks Brighton Festival review"Spreading more good vibes than a dancing monkey handing out tequila shots"Brighton Argus"A band to make you smile and keep you bouncing all night long, this is original happy ska with a sound something akin to The Specials, with a modern-day flavour"BBC Southern CountiesLos Albertos are: TIM HERMAN: alto and baritone sax, beer drinking and vocals; MARK CRAWFORD: guitars, strange dancing and vocals; NIC TRIBE: bass, Hammond, Stan Laurel impressions and vocals; CHEZ HARPER-GRIMBLE: alto and baritone sax, melodica, beer caps and fag butts, vocals; DES CRAWLEY: trumpet, melodica, trilbys and vocals; MARTIN ANDREWS: drums, wagon falling and definitely no vocals.For further information, please contact:Jeff Hemmings on 07946 385415 or jeff@losalbertos.co.uk or visit www.losalbertos.co.uk and www.myspace.com/losalbertos