Ram Danesse
Marc's Rock Blog
I have a confession to make.
I was supposed to have gone last Saturday to check out LEAF – the Laredo Emerging Artists Festival, but took a detour. That detour was completely the fault of my editor, Chuck. About LEAF – well, that’s another blog.
We stopped off at Vamp where I had the Shrimp Tacos (awesome, by the way – props to Chef Lou) then did some very brief bar-hopping. Eventually we found ourselves at Average Joe’s. Remember – this is Chuck’s fault. We were in his truck.
We got there early, around ten – I think. After getting our drinks, Chuck asked the waitress if there was a band scheduled for tonight. She said yes. My curiosity was piqued when she said they were from McAllen (actually, their MySpace page says Weslaco). I have a soft spot for the Valley. My Ex and YA novel writing partner and current and future Best Friend is from the Valley. I spent over ten years there, graduating from UTPA and teaching in San Juan.
Then the band came on, and after setting up, kicked off their first number: John Mayer – “Belief.” I automatically thought two things: damn I miss my Best Friend, and, this band is pretty damn good.
Ram Denesse’s version was rockin’ spot on. Next his unit tore into a tight version of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” Some more highlights: War’s “Low Rider” was given full, meaty treatment for a quartet. Ram Danesse covered “I Got a Woman” – Ray Charles by way of John Mayer – sweet. Then there was Stevie Ray Vaughn’s “Pride and Joy” – driving, bluesy, and full of dirty roadhouse attitude. The band grooved out on Santana’s “Ain’t Got Nobody,” a cover burning with latino fire. A pleasant surprise was the band’s pulsing, ska/disco-like version of “Wicked Games” by Chris Isaak, propelled forward by bassist Ernie Skumbag’s relentless, lava-like bassline, the beat similar to The Killers’ “Somebody Told Me.” Then the song morphed seamlessly into Billy Idol’s “White Wedding” – nice. Another treat was their cover of “Cancion del Mariachi” – Antonio Banderas’ tune from the Robert Rodriguez flick, a seemingly strange choice, but it fit in perfectly with the rest of their set. Their covers of Oasis’ “Wonderwall” and Incubus’ “Drive” proved they can do angsty alt-rock as intensely as their blues-rock numbers. They even had some originals: “Sight to Sound,” “Sensual,” “As I Am,” and “See You on the Other Side,” – a long, sweeping number that burned with an intensity reminiscent of Incubus but with some nice, dreamy moments.
Ram Danesse’s cover choices were thoughtful and smart, each song complimenting the others, but standing well on their own. And as the set unfolded, each new offering made me think – yeah, that makes perfect sense. Some of their more creative interpretations weren’t self-conscious or forced or trying too hard to be clever, which is a disease that too many bands suffer from. Ram Danesse’s versions were fresh and made sense in the context of the band’s unified sound. I was able to talk to Ram Danesse and his band during a break and after they wrapped up their set for the night. They were a bunch of easy-going guys and we chatted it up easily. Backing up Ram were, of course, Ernie Skumbag on bass, Rene Peynado on drums, and Joe Bluesy on lead. Joe actually did a solo w/his teeth and then behind the back of his head for good measure.
When asked what influences them, Ernie replied “… life, overcoming the past, live and learn – live and write songs.” As for songwriting, Ram writes how he feels at a certain time. “When I go through something,” he says thoughtfully, “…as completely as possible.” So it’s no longer in the “first person point of view.” Squarely in the blues-rock pocket, but with the artistic sensibilities of alt-rock and the beating heart of their Mexican heritage, Ram Danesse hits all the marks: tight, rocking, smart cover choices, top shelf musicianship.
The next time they’re in town, I’m grabbing myself a beer and I’m checking them out.
I hope you join me.
-What I’m listening to now: First Train Home by Imogen Heap
-Random Odd Bar Moment of the Night: Waitress Christina sucking on a lemon from an unfinished drink that she was dumping, then pausing, puckering up, and with a shrug, muttering “guess that one had vodka.”
-Random Blog Thought: hope Annette and Veronica got everything worked out.
-Chuck Quote of the Night: “It’s a picture of a wind cock …”
