If you have a fever that can only be fought with gritty distortion and vintage soaked rock ‘n roll, Tijuana/San Diego 4 piece Electric Healing Sound is just what the doctor ordered. Step right up as we speak with frontman Ricky Soltero about sharing their healing sound between neighboring cities and breaking borders.
Terrible puns and tired jokes aside, (that’s right, I can admit it) we can’t help but believe The Electric Healing Sound are at the forefront of bridging the gap between music scenes in San Diego and our neighbor to the South, Tijuana. Full time members of The Electric Healing Sound are Ricky Soltero on guitar and vocals, Eric Curiel on bass and Aldair Cerezo on lead guitar, (they are currently working on a permanent drummer).
Formed in the summer of 2010, the 4-piece ensemble found themselves in the middle of a thirsty-for-rock Tijuana music scene, playing their first show in TJ not long after. While splitting a residency with TJ and San Diego, the group released their debut full length, Tangled Up, on Iowa based record label Workerbee Records. Following the release in 2012, the band hit the road making their way and a name for themselves all the way up the West Coast with current Cholo Punks label-mates Shiva Trash. Their 4-song Self-Titled EP The Electric Healing Sound 7” was released on Cholo Punks in September of 2013.
The Electric Healing Sound deems their sound “minimalist garage rock” and have drawn multiple comparisons to some of their favorite groups including Jesus and Mary Chain, Velvet Underground and even Bob Dylan. Pulling elements from vintage garage rock and mixing in their own brand of gritty punk, they deliver an old-fashioned rock ‘n roll sound dripping with attitude and energy. Their unique voice is both furious and fun, one that will have you tapping toes and pounding fists simultaneously to the fiery guitar, infectious bass and slamming keys. “It all comes down to those songs soaked in reverb and squealing with feedback,” says Soltero.
We recently spoke with frontman Ricky Soltero about what the future holds for the band, including: their second full length, more touring and a brand new single “Whistling Song” some time in March. From an outsider’s perspective, it sure appears as though for these guys, the sky is the limit in 2014. TBZ!
Offical video for “Woman #3” Possible NSFW!
———————————————————————————————————————————–
How would you describe The Electric Healing Sound to the uninitiated listener?
Well, its loud. Very loud and distorted. I’m pretty bad at trying to describe our bands sound. Usually I stick with the garage rock “tag” or that we’re influenced by 60’s and 80’s garage rock. I mean, I’d rather them hear the actual music.
What and who are some of the big influences on your style?
We have a lot of bands that influenced our sound. From the Velvet Underground, Bob Dylan, Modern Lovers to the Jesus and Mary Chain, Spacemen 3 and Galaxie 500. I mean, we can go on and on. We are influenced heavily by them early noise makers and minimalist adventurers. It all comes down to those songs soaked in reverb and squealing with feedback. We took those blue prints they laid down and ran with it.
What are some of the differences you notice while playing as both a San Diego band and a Tijuana based band?
Most of the time it comes down to how well they take care of you. When you play in San Diego, you’re at least guaranteed drink tickets and some gas money. I wish I could say the same about Tijuana. I mean, it happens but not very often. Also, sound quality-wise, some venues down there need to step it up. But I must say, Tijuana crowds get pretty rowdy and we’ve had some of our best and most fun shows down there.
The Electric Healing Sound are known for introducing San Diego bands to the growing Tijuana scene – What are some of the things local bands north of the border should be taught about making this kind of move?
Nothing to be taught, just have fun. Its a great city with a great crowd. They love San Diego bands and I can assure you bands will love Tijuana too.
What are some of the difficulties for Tijuana bands to come up to San Diego and play shows? In regards to hauling equipment, travel, ect?
I think the biggest thing would be crossing that border. Man, the wait time is a complete bore. You have to spend hours there and then still have to drive up to the venues. I can totally see some bands not really wanting to put up with that.
Have you found San Diego bands helpful when it comes to making the trip up to San Diego?
Very helpful actually. The CP buddies were super cool from the get go. Always looking out for us. Made it easy for us to want to come back and play.
Have there been local TJ based bands that you have wanted to introduce to the San Diego scene? Who are some of the bands you would love to see make the jump up north?
Not really, current Tijuana music trends bore me. But I would love our buddies from Ensenada Ocean Noise to make the trip. Emet Reverb from Morelia, who are about to release an EP, are also fantastic. To be fair, most of the Tijuana bands I like have members of my band in them.
How did the relationship come to be with record label Cholo Punks?
It happened through Mark of the band Shiva Trash. Our bands pretty much got up and running around the same time. Played many of our early gigs with them. Shiva Trash were Cholo Punks first release and he introduced us to Aldo Bustos who runs CP. Aldo invited EHS to join the CP roster and then offered to release our record. The Electric Healing Sound EP [CP-002] was Cholo Punks second release of what is now an expanding collective that includes skaters, surfers and artists.
Was there a different approach to the Cholo Punks EP in comparison to Tangled Up? If so, explain.
Well, Tangled Up is a full record. Ten songs recorded in about 6-8 hours. At least 80% of the songs are single takes with some minor overdubs. The EP was meant to highlight what was then our current single “Woman #3″ with the addition of a new song and a Donovan cover. It’s a great 7”, shows off the muscle we gained after our West Coast tour. Fairly accurate before and after, since we recorded Tangled Up in early 2012 and the EP some where around December of the same year. With some extra songs recorded in May 2013. Andrew Montoya, who recorded both records, did an amazing job translating our live sound into those records.
Whats next on the horizon for The Electric Healing Sound?
We are currently working on recording and releasing a new single. There were plans to release an EP but those were scrapped for a full record. So, we’ll drop that second full length some time during the summer and maybe even a tour.
Your Facebook page has mentioned new track “Whistling Song” is coming soon. What can you tell us about that?
Well, the song is actually somewhat different to anything on our first record. We definitely wanted to move our music forward and “Whistling Song” was the natural evolution to the EHS sound. It’s also the sum of all the stuff we have been listening to. CAN, Suicide, Spacemen 3. You know stuff like that. So it’s going to have those buzz saw guitars and with some killer grooves. It’s going to be great. Also, we actually pushed the release back. We wanted to release it when we came back to performing, which will be sometime around March.
Finish this sentence… Without music I would… call it a day.
Thanks to Ricky Soltero and The Electric Healing Sound. Follow them on Facebook for updates and new music! Photo used with permission. Photo taken by Zophie Felina.