Don Caballero

with the Champs

Echo Lounge, Atlanta November 2, 1999

by Frank Mullen

photos by Frank Mullen

The Champs

What is it that makes one band click, and another one clunk? This show featured two bands with similar line-ups and approaches, but I walked away wishing I'd never heard of one of them, and wondering when the other was coming back to town.

   The Champs are from Santa Cruz, an instrumental three-piece of two guitars and drums. There was a lot of interplay between the guitarists, lots of time changes, and double-lead solos, and it all left me cold. I half-expected Ronnie James Dio to jump onstage and start howling an octave or two above dog-whistle range. They were obviously great musicians, technically proficient, but with all of the stop/start action and bizarro time signatures, they never really rocked.

   Now, Don Caballero (from Philadelphia) is also an instrumental three-piece (bass, guitar, drums). I was a little uneasy to see the guitarist's instrument tucked up under his armpit, that's usually a sign of virtuoso nerds or Holiday Inn lounge bands.

   

Don Caballero

But, what do I know? They started playing and kicked my ass. I'd heard them compared to Helmet, the Jesus Lizard, and Sonic Youth, but I thought it was more a mix of Yes and Fugazi -- distinctive and complex, but powerful. I wondered how many fingers the guitarist had until I figured out he was looping his riffs, accompanying himself as they played back, looping that , then sitting back and enjoying the result. Both he and the bassist used hammering (you know, Eddie Van Halen-style) and assorted effects to create a unique sound that moshers and noodlers alike could enjoy. Plus, they rocked.

   So, what was it, closer to the stage plus drunker equals "better"? East Coast vs. West Coast? I haven't got a clue -- if you figure it out, let me know.

   Look for Don Cab's records on Touch & Go.



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