Cio Cio San is the best thing to come out of the Riverside,
CA. area since Mr. T. Cio Cio San is a crazy rock and/or roll band
consisting of members: guitarist/writer Rob Halbert, lead
vocals/guitarist/writer Andy Ralph, vocals/bass Steve Martinez, and drummer
Brian Wurzell. Their sound is reminiscent of a raw, early Weezer. They've been on the legendary Ska Parade, the last bastion of the
alternative scene on west coast radio.
An account of my first Cio Cio San show:
I saw them live at the Noise Attic, a crappy little hang out
for teenagers on Saturday nights. There were about 90 people there, and everyone
in the house was wearing a Volcom T-shirt, except me and my entourage. The
first three bands were a collection of crappy skate punkers whining
about god-knows-what.
Then they came. And totally killed me.
The music was awesome; an incredibly soft and heartfelt voice
lingered over a loud crushing guitar. In the back you could hear -- at perfect
volume -- beautifully simple drums and an elaborate bassline. Every song they
played had a special meaning to someone in the crowd, as a strained voice would
cry out as the next song was announced. I loved everything I heard and truly
felt a part of something while there.
The people on stage were perfect rock stars, yet they were
still tangible and fragile beings. Steve was all over the place, and in his
face you could see the music. Andy's countenance had a sly, playful look of
confidence and his eyes were those of... well, someone who has really neat-lookin'
eyes. Brian, the drummer, had a goofy look of satisfaction as he bobbed his head
left and right and pelted away at the snare. Lurking in the back somewhere, the
guitarist -Rob- rolled about in between the other members of the band like a giant
human pinball. Collectively, they were amazing, and I'd kill to see them again.
Cio Cio San have one EP out, with six tracks. You can get it,
and a bunch of other stuff about them, at www.ciociosan.com