Since their formation in late 2002, Los Albertos have been creating a frenzy upon the dance floors and grassy fields of Europe with their inimitable foot-stompin’, brass-blaring high energy blend of ska, punk, funk, dub and original beats. Drawing upon a peculiarly twisted English humour (where The Comic Strip meets League of Gentlemen) this six-piece throw in some dynamite horn, guitar and drum action and invariably you end up with a band firing on all cylinders and on top of their game. It’s dance music, Jim, but not as we know it…
Their first album, Los Bop, contained such classics as Cheeky Rascal, Bossman, Mr Chip and Pikey Killed My Goldfish. In the summer of 2006 they self-released a new 12-track album Information Overload, with new classics such as Friends, Heal, Leavin’ the Band, Scientist, Resist and Beer Panic. Direct comparisons are impossible but listen closely and you can hear the ghosts of Lee Perry hanging out with Joe Strummer whilst Count Basie drops by with Carlos Santana and chews the fat about Ian Dury and all the Madness in the air! – a riotous flurry of horn-driven ska, drum and bass, and swing, capped off by a cheeky persona, naughty lyrics, but with a thoroughly contemporary feel. And it’s the sheer energy and fun that binds all this into what is the Los Albertos sound.
Lyrically, they cast a net far and wide, singing about the joys of going to festivals, drinking beer, psychedelic experiences at dental surgeries, celebrating life, calling in sick, too much information, stupid governments, nice men from next door and, of course, love… Five of the band sing, they all write songs, and they all inject a crazy energy into the music which is just bloody good fun. They always put a smile on the faces of those who see and hear them. 2006 was a very busy year for this hard working band - they recorded and released an album, played over 120 gigs around the country, made a couple of videos, and even bought and renovated a gigging van!
Already they have gained a big and loyal following with gigs at many of the best festivals in the United Kingdom and Europe including Glastonbury, Beautiful Days, Shambala, Larmer Tree, Spraoi, Endorse It, Workhouse, Firegathering, Artisti in Piazza, Novara Street Festival and Lovebox Weekender to name but a few.
2007 has proven to be every bit as busy as those previous. Writing now in September the band has notched up about 100 gigs already and spent pretty much all the time on the road, since April, traveling the length and breadth of the UK and a lot of time in Europe. The band has started to record a new album in Italy and will be returning there soon (Oct '07) to finish it off. The release date is unsure as yet but there will be plenty of notice. A new video has been shot and edited and the winter months will be spent writing for next years activities. Who knows what beckons but more fun in fields and a wider audience maybe with the help of some deals and publishing?