Introducing Las Pipas de la Paz

By RingMaster Review on October 3, 2012 • ( 2 )

Since forming in April of 2012, Mexican garage rock band Las Pipas de la Paz, translated as The Pipes Of Peace, has been on a steady climb acclaim wise within their home country and are beginning to attract the attention of many further afield globally. Musically the band mesh a rich mix of garage rock and punk with sixties psychedelia, the combination resulting in a psyched abrasive yet compelling sound flush with the influences of bands such as The Sonics, The Seeds, 13th Floor Elevators, The Count Five, and of course The Doors.

The quartet from Mexico City of vocalist and guitarist Rulo Pipa, bassist Jack Pipa, drummer Pilo Pipes, and Paco Pipes with his Yamaha YC-10, has lit up stages playing with bands such as Los Derrumbes (Spain), Los Pistones (Mex), Bird Mad Girl (E.U.A), Murphy (Chile), and Los Esquizitos (Mex)to name just a few, each event adding weight to their growing recognition across their country and continent.

With songs inspired by personal experiences the band unleashed their debut EP Pipes of Peace August of 2011 through Kromosoma Records. It was a three track gem which instantly drew interest and attention to the band. The song Your Brain easily captivated the imagination but it was with Come Now Baby Now that there was a spark like connection, the song a sonic teasing of the ear. It is a raw and caustic song soaked in the primes essences of sixties garage rock, the Yamaha dazzling the senses throughout with its acidic squalls whilst guitar and vocals festered only enthused appeal towards their salty melodic rub. Though arguably the sound is not the most original the song easily marks the band as one with great and inventive.

The debut is completed by Psychedelic Trek, a magnetic frying of the senses through primal beats and scorching keys once more. The track puts the senses on edge through its cutting sonics whilst ensuring one is easily and eagerly drawn to its again raw honest presence. The track takes one back to the times of its influences to offer a nostalgic but refreshing experience. The song was also the source of the first video from the band, their self-produced production bringing a complete and pleasing psyched out journey to the track.

The release took the band into view of a great many more fans, its great sound well received and leading to strong anticipation for the second release which was recorded earlier this year. Consisting of six tracks the El Mero Basilón EP sees the band with an even surer sound and touch. Songs like Dance On Fire and Like A Feeling leave one even more impressed by the band and their maturing sound. The first initially riles up the passions with a simple drum stomp and bass swagger whilst the keys taunt with fiery whispers. It eventually stalls into a pause before brewing up a storm of garage punk, its energy and attitude clad tones irresistible. The song is a deeply satisfying slab of dirty rock, the band creating a brooding and inciteful clash of sound and energy. It is arguably their best song recorded to date and leaves only sure intent to keep the band and their sounds close at hand. The second of the mentioned pair is another with a punk attitude to show a stiffer and more combative breath to the second release compared to the debut. This new trait makes the band an even more formidable proposition as they develop their own distinct sound. A great discord tone soaks the guitar throughout to play against and with the swirling acid wash of the keys whilst the brawling vocals cap the aggressively pushing energy.

With their first European tour and second video as well as latest EP fresh to the world, Las Pipas de la Paz is destined to be a name all garage rock/punk fans will be sharing around and their music a sought after pleasure.

Watch out for a full review of the El Mero Basilón EP in the coming weeks from The Ringmaster Review as well as an interview with the band.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Las-Pipas-De-La-Paz/114979481908733

RingMaster 03/10/2012