LOS SANTOS is Michael G Bayliss, vocals and bass guitar and Richard England, guitar, and vocals, both have been members of The Saints and The Members and previously in their own incarnation Alcohol. They release their debut six track album, ‘El Corazon’ this month which features 21st Century DIY punk stars Wonk Unit members, Alex Wonk on drums and X Ray Vez on lead vocals.
The album opens with `On The Strip (Vegas Baby)` with the sound of slot machines as we move swiftly into a blistering musing on the Las Vegas Strip, a stretch of Las Vegas Boulevard that is known for its concentration of resort hotels and casinos. We have in `Bourbon Street` a eulogy to not only the city of New Orleans, The Big Easy but to Johnny Thunders, the legendary rock icon who sadly died in the city. A thumping one hundred and twenty-four seconds of searing punk-tinged rock.
`Stoneface` is a state where no emotion or feeling is exhibited but here it`s a garage / punk crossover shared in a kind of take it or leave it manner with a brief ten second midsection that sounded very much like the Ruts `Babylon`s Burning`. There`s an edgy sing a long vibe to `Sorry` which really bounces along with collective communal backing vocals.
To me there was a speeded-up Velvets `Sweet Jane` vibe to `Fanclub (For Ronnie Spector)` but saying that it`s a captivating earworm of a track which i`m sure the sadly missed Veronica Yvette Greenfield would have really appreciated, especially the addition of “be my baby” lyrics in the last thirty seconds of the number. Kate O Brien (MC5), Andy Cox (The Beat / Fine Young Cannibals), Chris Musto (Johnny Thunders / Glen Matlock) add their talents to the final track a cracking rendition of Hüsker Dü`s `Sorry Somehow`
`El Corazon’ which runs a little over fifteen minutes is really a mini album but nevertheless is a delightful slice of high octane, melodic punk rock which leaves you wanting much, much more.
Let`s hope that the fellas hear our request, and we don`t have to wait too long.
