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  Los Burbanks - Snake
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LOS BURBANKS
German Brise�o � bass, vocals
Jay Smith � guitar
Ben Grieshaber - drums


It�s been almost 50 years since a Mexican/American rocker named Richie Valens Americanized an old Mexican folk song and took it to the top of the rock charts. Since the success of �La Bamba�, Latin rhythms and artists have not only infiltrated the American music charts, but have contributed strongly to the development of genres from disco to pop to hip hop. Now, Los Burbanks are taking the blending of cultures a step further and infiltrating the world of alternative, indie rock with their debut album, Snake, on INFIDEL Records.

Born and raised in Mexico City, vocalist/bassist/songwriter, German Briseno, grew up listening to the songs of his homeland, but also the songs of American and British rock from Hendrix to the Beatles to Pink Floyd and Metallica. At age 19, he left his family and moved to Seattle � certainly one of the epicenters of modern day power rock. In the past decade he has only seen his family two times, but his dedication and commitment to his chosen career has kept him where he knows he must be to make his music. �Don�t misunderstand,� the talented songsmith explains, �there�s an unbelievable music scene in Mexico with some great players. I used to play bass and keyboards and sing with a band that played everything from jazz standards to cumbia to Phil Collins and other things. I even had a metal band there. But the industry isn�t strong enough in Mexico for artists to really make it.� Guitarist Jay Smith brings a guitar-driven sound to German�s songs. Like German, Jay�s influences stretch through the history of rock and roll ever since he saw the �Johnny B. Goode scene� in �Back To The Future.� �I knew from that moment on that I wanted to play guitar,� Jay explains, From Cream to White Zombie, from Hendrix and Zeppelin to the Chili Peppers and Sepultura, Smith has brought his love of all music into his playing style and it has become the perfect complement to Briseno�s lyrics and singing style, and once the two talented players hooked up there has been no looking back. Most recent addition, drummer Ben Grieshaber, grew up watching the punk scene explode and shares the same singleness of purpose that both German and Jay have. �There�s no way anyone could be in this band, could keep up with those two guys, if you don�t want it just as badly as they do,� Grieshaber laughs. �We spend all our time working on our music � well except for the time we�re looking at women, of course.�

The Americanization of German is obvious from the opening chords to the title track �Snake�, an aggressive guitar driven track set against the unusual rhythm that sets the tone for the impact of the whole CD. But Los Burbanks� music, based on the mystical songwriting of Briseno, floating over the unrelenting power of Jay�s guitar style and Ben�s forceful drumming technique takes aggressive rock a step further. The combination of German singing sometimes in English and sometimes in Spanish and the personal, introspective lyrical content combined with the band�s ability to blend rhythms and cultures and even volume, make Los Burbanks true pioneers at a time that a lot of people have believed there were no new musical horizons to conquer. In the lyrics to the songs, they reach deep within and touch every human emotion. On �Iguana� Briseno tells his troubles to an Iguana. He laments his confusion with his life and loves and wishes that he, like the Iguana, could shed the skin he wears and become someone else. What makes the song all the more meaningful is that the music track displays his sadness as it slows down the usually more frenetic pace of the CD. Then on �Moderfoker�, although Briseno sings in both English and Spanish, even �unilinguals� will understand that he�s taking a stance against some asshole because of the energy of the music track. The guitar and drums are almost singing the song along with the vocals.

Prior to Snake, the band self-released an EP that even without the industry machinery behind it managed not only to become the #1 Most Requested New Band and #1 in Phone Response at stations in and around their northwestern home base, but a national tour brought them to the attention of fans and promoters as well as to INFIDEL Records� Rob Grenoble. �I went to see them perform and I offered them a deal right then and there,� says Grenoble (Dismemberment Plan, Antigone Rising, Chris Stamey), who co-produced the CD with Michael Barbiero (Guns N� Roses, Metallica, John Lennon & Yoko Ono). Now, with their first full-length CD, a true label behind them, their ever-building respect and reputation among those who have experienced their unwavering commitment and talent, Los Burbanks is ready to take themselves to the next levels.

Infidel Records
201-222-8700
Rob@infidelrecords.com