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Los Yanquis’ pedigree stretches back to their beginnings in Bristol in 1977. Then known as Juan Foote ‘n’ the Grave, they built up a loyal following in the pubs and clubs of the city, playing a ferociously pacy mixture of pub-rock, R&B and punk, touring the country in the (vain) hope of “making it”. Juan Foote eventually morphed into the legendary soul revival band, the hugely popular Losenges, who were the darlings of Bristol’s Ashton Court Festival in its heyday.
The current incarnation, Los Yanquis, indulges the band’s love of the style known as Americana or Alt-country, mixing Tex-Mex, Country Blues and the kind of restless outlaw songs favoured by the likes of Steve Earle, Waylon and Willie and their ilk.
Los Yanquis are: From the original line-up: Bryan Cox (double bass, bass guitar, vocals); Stuart Gibb (lead vocals, harmonica) and Andy Pinner (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), plus on lead guitar, lap steel and vocal Justin Hartree (Fat Man Swings) and drummer James Ryan (the Southernaires, the Shrinks). Regular guests include Marc Clements (the Untouchables, the Highliners) on guitar and mandolin and the legendary Paul Godden on pedal steel (veteran of the folk / country scene, most recently with Van Morrison). The line up is frequently augmented by instrumentalists of varying persuasions who also love this music.
Audiences in Bristol and the surrounding area (which has expanded to include London) have grown to love the band for their passion for the music they play. Their set lists include well known country standards (Your Cheatin’ Heart, Tonight the Bottle Let Me Down), rockier songs by BR549, the (early) Mavericks, and less well known writers such as Hal Ketchum and the Tex-Mex influence of Doug Sahm. The emphasis is on fun and danceability, but crying into beer due to an occasional heart-rending ballad is not unknown.
Tracks from current CD: Viva Los Yanquis
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