It is impossible to listen to any song by Los Festingos without hearing the tremendous Beatles influence in the sound. As with many bands, The Beatles played a major rolen in influencing our unique sound. Maybe it's because the Fab Four have been my favorite band since I was very young, but every song I write sounds very Beatles inspired. And so, when the Beatles were released on Itunes, I was very excitted. Other people, however, were far less enthused.
Andrew Nusca of ZDNet.com wrote an articele on the website entitled, "Apple finally brings Beatles to Itunes; Does it Matter?" A news article explaining the details about the two Apples recent business agreement. And while doing so, the author subtly hints at a declaration of the pointlessness of the new release. The article does a decent job of presenting facts to support both sides of the argument, but there are strong undertones throughout the article that claim that the band's release on Itunes, and the surrounding press coverage is overdramatic. Here's a link to the site: http://www.zdnet.com/blog/btl/apple-finally-brings-beatles-to-itunes-does-it-matter/41740
While I do believe that most Beatle Maniacs already have The Beatles on their ipod, I think the author downplays the significance of this historic event. As we've learned in class, the music industry is an entirely different world these days. Kids are experiencing music in new ways. Radio, cds and records are all but extinct. More often than not, kids learn about music from games and searching online. Between the release of Beatles Rockband last year, and the agreement with Itunes this year, the world of The Beatles is literally opened to an entirely new generation. And while it may seem absurd to avid fanatics like myself, there are loads of people who have not experienced the music of The Beatles in more than fleeting instances. Now they have that option, the option to engage in the world's greatest band and experience some of the most important songs of all time! So maybe the release of The Beatles on Itunes is not ground breaking for those of us who have Abbey Road on vinyl, but contrary to the web author's slightly biased opinion, the repercussions of this business trade, and those of the accompanying symbolic bridging between the old and the new, will be felt for many years from now, all across the universe. 'The Beatles on Itunes; DOes it matter?' Should not be a question anyone needs to ask. Very few events in the history of online music will compare.
Los Festingos
A band of epic proportions
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
The Kennett Flash
Over the time the Festingos have been together we've played at alot of different places. From a birthday party for a 90 year old in New York, to a street jam with some freestyle rappers in Florida, to a preschool in Pennsylvania. And yet after all these different locations, on estands out as the home of Los Festingos in my mind: The Kennett Flash. Located in Kennett Square Pennsylvania (rated one of the country's coolest small towns), the Flash is a small club for local singers and songwriters to listen and play. They're kind of the cultural hub of the Kennett Square area (Squarea?).
And from the very start, the Kennett Flash has had a close relationship with Los Festingos. In the winter of 2009, Rancid and I appeared at a series of open mics, playing original songs and whacked out versions of classic covers. When the band officially got together, we would go to the flash as often as we could and ALWAYS had an excellent time! Eventually the regular crowd became close friends and fans, and started offering us gigs! In fact, one of our first big shows was right there at the Flash.
And so now, in this week of celebrating home and family, Los Festingos are finally reunited and heading to their home in Kennett Square.
Here is the Flash website! Stop by sometime if you're in the area. You may see Los Festingos! But even if you don't, you'll never see a wider range of talent in one beautiful location.
www.kennettflash.org
And from the very start, the Kennett Flash has had a close relationship with Los Festingos. In the winter of 2009, Rancid and I appeared at a series of open mics, playing original songs and whacked out versions of classic covers. When the band officially got together, we would go to the flash as often as we could and ALWAYS had an excellent time! Eventually the regular crowd became close friends and fans, and started offering us gigs! In fact, one of our first big shows was right there at the Flash.
And so now, in this week of celebrating home and family, Los Festingos are finally reunited and heading to their home in Kennett Square.
Here is the Flash website! Stop by sometime if you're in the area. You may see Los Festingos! But even if you don't, you'll never see a wider range of talent in one beautiful location.
www.kennettflash.org
Sunday, November 14, 2010
An inside sneek peak of the Festingo album!
As I mentioned in an earlier post, we are in the process of recording our first professional album at Cedar Street Studios. And now, as the holiday season draws near, the end of the project is in sight. And nobody, except me, really knows how it sounds. Not even the other Los Festingos are totally aware of how it sounds currently. That's why I'm giving you guys a sneek peak and describing each of the six songs on the cd as they're going to sound! The tracks are each bursting with new flavor and sound better than ever before.....
1. Sasquatch: Flawless rhythm guitar, lyrical bass lines and the tightest drums ever. But the best part of this version, besides the second long break in the music where everyone shouts, "We won't take it no more!" Is easily the electric guitar. By the end of the song an orchestra of elecric guitar sings harmonious ear worms that builds up to an existential roar that would make bigfoot cry.
2. Cosmic Carousel: Thins song has never sound as cosmic. The familiar acoustic intro theme is filtered through an old vinyl sound effect, making it eerily nostalgic. The tones of the electric guitar sound like something from the Jetsons, far out and haunting. Vocals on this one are gonna be sweet, almost as sweet as the gentle synthesizer parts, gluing it all together. And did I mention trombone may be involved?
3. Ambiguous: This Festingo classic has sounds better every time I listen to it. Everything is epic on this track. Especialaly the searing solo and glimmering harmonized melody played by Bucky. Whether we add some piano and strings is still....ambiguous.
4. Singing a Song: Definitely one of the greatest songs on the whole album, the new version of this old song features a vast array of acoustic percussion, beautiful vocal solos and the sexiest tones in the world. Also of importance is the new electronic harp textures, unlike anything you've ever heard. The most unique part of this extraordinarily unique song is the freestyle breakdown featuring a beat boxing seven year old!
5. En Fuego: This is the newest song on the album, written a week before we started recording. It is also my favorite track on the whole thing. Evoloving drum beats, Flamenco backup shouts, and glistening fills. The best part of this song however is the solo section, from the embers of Tim's outrageous bass jam, to the flickering flames of my classical guitar, to the eruption of Bucky electric inferno. I may also add, that the vocals are very hot.
6. Billy Mays: At our last show of the summer the crowd voted for this song to be included on the album. ANd who were we to say no? This song incorporates elements of ska, punk and 60's garage band music to form the most intense Billy Mays tribute the world will ever know! After a brief funeral organ break the volume gets kicked up for an epic thrash section ending the song, and the album with an outburst of pent up energy that is impossible not to dance to!
Hopefully we'll have this all wrapped up in time for you to buy it for your family to unwrap! Hahaha! Stay tuned for more info!
1. Sasquatch: Flawless rhythm guitar, lyrical bass lines and the tightest drums ever. But the best part of this version, besides the second long break in the music where everyone shouts, "We won't take it no more!" Is easily the electric guitar. By the end of the song an orchestra of elecric guitar sings harmonious ear worms that builds up to an existential roar that would make bigfoot cry.
2. Cosmic Carousel: Thins song has never sound as cosmic. The familiar acoustic intro theme is filtered through an old vinyl sound effect, making it eerily nostalgic. The tones of the electric guitar sound like something from the Jetsons, far out and haunting. Vocals on this one are gonna be sweet, almost as sweet as the gentle synthesizer parts, gluing it all together. And did I mention trombone may be involved?
3. Ambiguous: This Festingo classic has sounds better every time I listen to it. Everything is epic on this track. Especialaly the searing solo and glimmering harmonized melody played by Bucky. Whether we add some piano and strings is still....ambiguous.
4. Singing a Song: Definitely one of the greatest songs on the whole album, the new version of this old song features a vast array of acoustic percussion, beautiful vocal solos and the sexiest tones in the world. Also of importance is the new electronic harp textures, unlike anything you've ever heard. The most unique part of this extraordinarily unique song is the freestyle breakdown featuring a beat boxing seven year old!
5. En Fuego: This is the newest song on the album, written a week before we started recording. It is also my favorite track on the whole thing. Evoloving drum beats, Flamenco backup shouts, and glistening fills. The best part of this song however is the solo section, from the embers of Tim's outrageous bass jam, to the flickering flames of my classical guitar, to the eruption of Bucky electric inferno. I may also add, that the vocals are very hot.
6. Billy Mays: At our last show of the summer the crowd voted for this song to be included on the album. ANd who were we to say no? This song incorporates elements of ska, punk and 60's garage band music to form the most intense Billy Mays tribute the world will ever know! After a brief funeral organ break the volume gets kicked up for an epic thrash section ending the song, and the album with an outburst of pent up energy that is impossible not to dance to!
Hopefully we'll have this all wrapped up in time for you to buy it for your family to unwrap! Hahaha! Stay tuned for more info!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Some influences
One of the greatest things about Los Festingos is the crazy range of styles we cover. When asked what kind of music we play a popular response is, "Whatever you want." This enormous range of stylistic variability is due to the diverse influences and styles of the four members. Below is a list of some influences for each band member. The unique indivuality of each member's musical tastes is directly manifested in their playing style. And you can totally hear it anytime you listen to us.
Sam Kwietniak: The Beatles, J.S. Bach, Andres Segovia, Charlie Byrd, Elvis, Villa Lobos, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Ellington, Beach Boys, The Ventures. Basically strong Latin, Jazz, Classical and 60s Rock influences.
Bucky Kellorgg: Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Vai, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Joe Satriani, Styx, Queen, David Bowie, Allman Brothers, Gary Moore, Van Halen. Basically very heavy influences in Metal, Classic Rock, and Blues.
Rancid Prostrate (Tim Gould): Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Led Zeppelin, The Cat Empire, Bob Marley, State Radio, Streetlight Manifesto, Dave Matthews. Basically strong influences in Reggae, Acoustic Pop, Indie and Ska.
Chris Ruffini: Blink 182, The Temptations, Kid Rock, Alanis Morroisette, Village People, Phil Collins, Queen, The Doors, Elton John, Billy Joel, Elvis, Aqua, Toy Box, Avril lavigne, Simple Plan, Weezer. Doowop, Techno, Punk and Classic Rock influences.
All of the Festingos share a love and admiration for Classic Rock, but their individual differences blend together harmoniously to create a unique sound that anyone can enjoy!
Sam Kwietniak: The Beatles, J.S. Bach, Andres Segovia, Charlie Byrd, Elvis, Villa Lobos, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Duke Ellington, Beach Boys, The Ventures. Basically strong Latin, Jazz, Classical and 60s Rock influences.
Bucky Kellorgg: Blue Oyster Cult, Steve Vai, Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Joe Satriani, Styx, Queen, David Bowie, Allman Brothers, Gary Moore, Van Halen. Basically very heavy influences in Metal, Classic Rock, and Blues.
Rancid Prostrate (Tim Gould): Jack Johnson, Norah Jones, Led Zeppelin, The Cat Empire, Bob Marley, State Radio, Streetlight Manifesto, Dave Matthews. Basically strong influences in Reggae, Acoustic Pop, Indie and Ska.
Chris Ruffini: Blink 182, The Temptations, Kid Rock, Alanis Morroisette, Village People, Phil Collins, Queen, The Doors, Elton John, Billy Joel, Elvis, Aqua, Toy Box, Avril lavigne, Simple Plan, Weezer. Doowop, Techno, Punk and Classic Rock influences.
All of the Festingos share a love and admiration for Classic Rock, but their individual differences blend together harmoniously to create a unique sound that anyone can enjoy!
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