Tag Archives: San Jose

LOS CRVELES!

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Get your ears round this- the new and completely unexpected release from Costa Rica’s finest Los Crveles! I wrote about them last year, and my obsession has never died down. It’s probably grown; in fact it has, thanks to this new release. It’s 6 noisy AF songs that will do everything in their power to leave you deaf and crying like a baby on the floor. It’s a real gnarly Garage Rock record, and it is loud in all the right places.

 The record came out yesterday and has been released via Istanbul’s Kafadan Kontak Records. They sure know their stuff, and it is worth checking out the releases on their Bandcamp page if you want more obscure and wonderful music in your life. These masked crusaders sure know how to wow you with their slick Garage Rock/Surfer feel, you can’t help but let yourself be thrown into the insane world they have created with their music. At times you feel like you’ve stepped into some Horror b-movie and you expect some odd creature with a slimy hand to grab you by the throat and launch you into the air. Basically, the creepy sound is incredible, and I love this band a lot. A hell of a lot. The scene in Costa Rica is something to really pay attention to, and there are several bands there who are making a beautiful noise and are worth devoting a lot of time on. Your ears will love you for it.

 

 

 These 6 songs were made to make you move, shake and throw things around. The instrumental songs on this record are completely off the wall and the songs where there are vocals? Even better. Even louder. The scream-like vocals sound like someone possessed and it just works so well. You step into this unknown world, and what you get from it is a lifetime of great music. There is no band out there quite like Los Crveles and they’ve this yet again on this release. They have a similar wild sound like The Mummies but there’s something else there, and it’s that something else that stops you in your tracks. I found this band by chance last year, and it was truly one of my favourite and best finds of the year. I just love everything they do, and how they have this unfiltered feel that makes you wish you could do it. But thank god we have Los Crveles doing it.

 Alvcarda Gogo sounds like it could be on a film- it’s such a perfect sounding instrumental number that has a Spaghetti Western feel to it, and you feel like you’re in that film and this song is the soundtrack to an important fight you’re about to take part in. As your enemy approaches in a cloud of sand and dust, you’re able to get a couple steps ahead and knock the fucker out- that’s what this song gives you, the attitude and freedom to be this tough person.

 

 

 

Get your ears round this ruckus record and play these heavenly songs as loud as you possibly can. And as often as you can, of course.

 

 

AVE NEGRA.

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Bands that you know zilch about are always fun to write about; you have no opinion formed, and the music is almost heightened because of this.

Ave Negra are another effortlessly brilliant band from Costa Rica, and the way they sound just has this almost enviable cool feel to it. Costa Rica has some amazing bands, that we know. Ave Negra are a band that you’d want to join and go on tour with, and trash hotel rooms with. The way they sound on record makes you believe that their shows are probably on the wild side. I think they’re in the middle of recording songs for a new record that could be out next year- so you can have that as one of your reasons as to why 2019 won’t suck that much.

The band have this Garage Rock sound that makes you want to pick up an instrument, make it your weapon of choice and just cause a wealth of chaos with the sounds. There is something truly special about the music that comes from Costa Rica, and Ave Negra are definitely up there as being one of the most exciting bands around. The only way to listen to them, is to do it loudly. And often, of course. They are songs that (even if you don’t know what’s being said, like me) you can just really enjoy. The music is nothing short of slick, the vocals are gnarly and powerful. They are just an absolute pleasure to listen to. I love how you can pick up a wealth of emotions in the songs, and the band have this admirable way of making you feel like you’re either at the front of the stage during their show. Or that you’re in the throes of them creating these songs- you’re like their guinea pig or some weird shit. I don’t know.

In all honesty, there’s no one I can compare them to. There’s no other band like this, and I don’t think that there has ever been a band quite like them. Their songs feel like a brawl that has spilled out into the street and gotten way out of hand. They’re a rowdy bunch, and that’s just part of the reason as to why I love them. Ave Negra are a band that I’d love to see play live. You can imagine the crowd going nuts to songs like Indio Comido (easily one of my favourites) and Vivo Por Mi. If you’re looking for a band to become obsessed with, and to get pangs for- Ave Negra are for you. You’ll listen to them, and you’ll be left wanting 2019 to hit us with some new music. After listening to the bulk of their songs, I can safely say that Ave Negra are a band that definitely need your attention. Sack off that awful task of buying Christmas presents, and just stay indoors and listen to Ave Negra. That’s all you can do, and that’s all you should do.

For me, I think Costa Rica is massively overlooked for the music they give us. They truly nail that Garage Rock sound, but they have this way of adding something to it that isn’t seen or felt anywhere else. Maybe it’s the drive, maybe it’s the passion- I don’t know. But I do know that some of the best bands around are from there. Maybe it’s time we moved our focus there, because they are evidently doing something right. Hell, it isn’t just right- it’s perfect.

LOS CRVELES.

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What do you know about the Costa Rica Punk scene? Is it the same as me? My knowledge is piss poor, but I’ve just found an amazing band from San Jose and I’ve just got to write about how brilliant they are. They don’t sing in English, but who cares! Some of the best songs in the world are in a different language.

Los Crveles are a noisy band who can make you shit your pants with their exceptionally loud and earth shattering songs. They are out for your soul and whatever else you’ve got going spare. They have this wild ability to just mess with your brain, and I can’t get enough of it. I can’t compare them to anyone, and I wouldn’t if I could. However, if like me you’re a huge fan of The Mummies, then you’re sure as hell going to love Los Crveles. I love them, and I’m pretty sure it is going to turn into an obsession. I wish I was a millionaire so I could afford to fly all the bands I love over to the UK and get them some shows. For now, the records will have to do.

If I’ve researched carefully enough, then I think there are three of them in the band. They released Veneno Tropical in July this year and have two more releases prior. Their sound is incredibly addictive. I just want to listen to the screams and the excessively loud music on a loop. The way they make you feel like you’re in an old spaghetti western film, about to launch into a fight that began from a filthy look in a saloon bar is fucking insane. They’ve got this timeless sound. I don’t know what year I’m in when I listen to them, and I adore that about them.

Quema La California is one of their instrumental songs and if any song can capture a saloon bar brawl, it’s this one. It’s like the dramatic build up, and once it kicks in, you’ll have dust in your eye and gun smoke filling the air. It’s such a brilliant song. Sure it gives off some violent vibes, but there’s no maliciousness here. It’s just drunken cowboys having a good ol’ time.

Ritmo Infernal came out two years ago, and if you listen to that and put on Veneno Tropical straight after then you’ll totally see how this band have evolved their sound, and how they are undoubtedly one of the most exciting bands you’ll ever hear. Ritmo Infernal is only made up of five songs, but those five songs are just masterpieces. Again, it feels like you’re in a film. I don’t mean it in an atmospheric way- I mean it as if you’re in the film. You’re the villain perhaps, because being the hero doesn’t make it as interesting. Actually, be the underdog. Los Crveles are an absolute pleasure to listen to and to just have blasting loudly in my ear. Their songs are everything you’d want from a band that go against what is expected from a typical Punk band or whatever. They’re loud. Really loud but there’s more to them than that.

If you’re looking for a band that’ll make you think something has crept right into your soul and possibly possessed you, then Los Crveles are for you. They have so much power in their music, and it just deserves to be heard by as many people possible. I love how utterly fearless they are with their music and how they aren’t afraid to totally mess with the mind of anyone who listens to them. They’re loud, brutal and pleasantly demonic- it’s beyond Punk. It’s beyond any form of music genre. All I know is that I love them. A lot. I cannot wait to hear more from them, and I hope they just keep getting louder and louder.