If you’re looking to be dipped and swerved into a sultry world of scatterbrained guitar solos, feverish vocals and ‘far out’ stone foxes, look no further then the tremendous blues-rock duo El Grande, who have given us a modern take on a genre that made panties drop, and minds expand in the progressive days of the 60’s and 70’s.
Kiama’s own dynamic rock duo El Grande is a band forged on close friendship, laid back beats and scatterbrained guitar solos. They’re proving to be another exciting Illawarra band to watch.
Hailing from the jovial town of Kiama, childhood friends Jimmy Vann (The VANNS) and Joe Mungovan teamed up in 2014 for what has become a music evolution. Since converting a room in Joe’s house to a mini studio and getting down to recording debut EP Get Done in little to no time, the boys of El Grande had gathered their belongings, got the kombi together, and performed in a range of places from Yamba to Windsor, all by the end of December.
With only five tracks, Get Done showcases the animated sound this virtuosic duo have generated. The EP’s pinnacle Like I Do is of its own class, featuring appetitive R&B lyrics, slinky harmonies, a groovy beat, and a sweet melody remindful of Covered in Rain by a very early John Mayer, with a wild guitar solo to defy! Serving as the longest track, Like I Do will have you in an unmanageable state of rhapsody (and after even the 20th listen, you’ll still desire more… believe me!)
With a string of Black Keys style riffs, final track One For Me is a marshal of precision and power, and allows for undeviating vocals from both Vann and Mungovan. With multiple Hendrix moments it quickly becomes clear that Vann is no slow hand, and that his undeniable mastery combined with Mungovan’s bright and trashy beats, gives the track the perfect amount of resonance, depth and control. This four minutes of proficiency alone, could see El Grande become rock’s new prime product.
Now, with a selection of diligent fans anticipating their next move it is still quite the mystery as to what they’ll be doing in the months to come… however if Get Done is anything to go by, rest assured their future ventures will undoubtedly be impressive.
With looks redolent to an early Axl Rose, Vann brings an eclectic vibe to the solitary nature of El Grande, whilst Mungovan’s skill alike Patrick Carney proves he is an unbeatable talent…. So, it’s certain that these guitar slingin’ divinities are guaranteed to be propelled into the nation’s consciousness by the time their next EP rolls around!
The future plans for the band are to record a new EP (hopefully in late March/early April) and get back on the road mid to late year for a massive Aus tour!
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