Los Straitjackets
From Biocrawler, the free encyclopedia.
Los Straitjackets is a Nashville based band known primarily for performing instrumental surf music. Members include guitarists Eddie Angel and Danny Amis, bassist Peter Curry, and drummer Jimmy Lester.
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History
Angel, Amis and Lester formed The Straitjackets in 1988, when they were still in school. They played several gigs during the summer of that year, but soon broke up.
In 1994, they reformed as Los Straitjackets, adding bass player Scott Esbeck. Their first album, The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets, was released the following year on Upstart Records.
Over the next few years, the band developed a cult following through its tight instrumentation and gimmicky stage shows. When performing live, band members all dress alike, wearing black clothing, gold medallions, and Mexican wrestling masks. Amis is the only member who speaks, introducing songs in fast, badly accented Spanish.
In 1998, Esbeck left the band during the recording of The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets and was replaced by Pete Curry.
They've become known as frequent collaborators, recording Sing Along With Los Straitjackets with a number of different artists. They were nominated for a Grammy Award for their collaboration with blues singer Eddy Clearwater, Rock 'N' Roll City.
As time goes on, their stage shows have grown more and more elaborate. They frequently feature elaborate choreography, guest vocalists such as Clearwater and Big Sandy, and burlesque dancing troupe The World Famous Pontani Sisters.
Film and Television
Los Straitjackets provided the music for the independent film Psycho Beach Party, and appeared briefly in the film. They also recorded two albums worth of material specifically for television and commercial use, and their work is often heard as filler or background music on radio and televsion shows.
Albums
- Play Favorites - 2005, independent
- Supersonic Guitars in 3-D - 2004, Yep Roc Records
- Rock 'N' Roll City - with Eddie Clearwater, 2003, Rounder Records
- Tis The Season For Los Straitjackets - 2002, Yep Roc Records
- Sing Along With Los Straitjackets - 2001, Yep Roc Records
- Damas y Caballeros - 2001, Yep Roc Records
- The Velvet Touch of Los Straitjackets - 1999, Cavalcade Records
- ¡Viva! Los Straitjackets - 1996, Upstart Records
- The Utterly Fantastic and Totally Unbelievable Sound of Los Straitjackets - 1995, Upstart Records
External link
- Official website (http://www.straitjackets.com/)
Sources
- History of Los Straitjackets (http://www.straitjackets.com/main3.html)
