Artist: The Aces
Title: No One Rides For Free
Style: Blues Trash
Available
In March 2009, The Aces signed with El Toro Records. Hailing from California (USA), their debut album “ No One Rides For Free ” is a collection of 10 original songs which fans of the band call punk trance blues or pounding riffs and a distorted wall of sound topped by wailing harp. The bands goal was to capture that raw primitive sound which is present at their live shows. The record was recorded live in the studio with no overdubs utilizing old fender tweed tube amps pushed to the brink of exploding captured with 1940’s and 1950’s microphones. What makes the band unique is that there is no bass player. Instead The Aces opt for a lead and rhythm guitar combination which has a fresh “old reminiscent” sound. Listen to the lyrics and you will hear streams of poetic consciousness sung from real life experiences. The songwriting of the band shows that they are not trying to sound like anyone, but are moving tradition forward. The Aces are Sky O’Banion on Harp/Vocals, Derek Irving lead guitar, Mike Gutsch on drums and special quests on rhythm guitar. The Aces sound will charge you!
Customer reviews:
If you believe that Eric Clapton is a blues god, well nice to meet you and see you later. But if you like your blues raw, dirty, primitive and threatening the Aces are the band for you. With two guitars, drums, harmonica and a distorted vocals this California (Santa Rosa) combo plays a lo-fi electric blues with a hypnotic beat that takes its roots in the likes of Hound Dog Taylor and RL Burnside. They add a good dose of garage with a \"straight in your face\" powerful wall of sound. Imagine if the Cramps had taken their main inspiration in Chicago blues instead of rockabilly. But enough of comparison they build their own sound, keeping things simple and effective, no flashy licks here or 20 minutes solos but guitar player Derek Irving keeps things varied playing slide guitar on some tunes and sitar on others, like on \"Down On The Cave\" with its \"Smokestack Lightnin\'\" inspired riff.
It\'s music with guts and sweat and in the end a truly great album...
Fred Turgis - www.jumpingfrom6to6.com
This is the debut album of THE ACES, from Santa Rosa /Ca., and for sure a real unusual album for El Toro Records.the band don't play "Billy" music in any way. The Aces are a pure Rootsband with heavily modern blues influence, so the harp and the raw voice of Sky O'Banion dominating all 10 songs on this album.
As I said, all in a very modern mood, but Mr. O'Banion is an acve harp player and his backin' band rock the house like the Seatsniffern, BUT this band isn't similar to the Belguim Roots Rocker in any case. The Aces prefer a much more, typical, american sound with more modern rock guitar and arrangements, but I say that this album is one of the best albums by a modern band El Toro released in the last years. The band don't copy any artist, just playin' straight their own brand of music. Unfortunately this album is a bit too short in my opinion, so I dig this album very much.
My fave track is "Stole Something From Me" a fantastic roadhouse blues tune in fine up tempo. If you like bands like T 99 and similar-check The Aces !!!!!!
Mad House Jump
