By José Gandue @Gandour
Costa Rica is the hidden gem of alternative music on the continent. With just over five million inhabitants, This Central American country has a constantly evolving artistic scene, which manages to look much more interesting (and pardon the comparison) than that displayed by the vast majority of its neighbors and, in general, than what we generally see throughout the hemisphere. From there, we have seen attractive examples emerge in recent years such as The Robertas, Colornoise, The Waldners, Monte And many more bands, who, week after week, showcase their talent on stages in San Jose and the surrounding areas, and in some cases, participate in various regional festivals and even cross US borders to exhibit their work in the big leagues. Their recording activity is growing, and therefore We can recommend keeping an eye on what's happening in that country through the Spotify or Bandcamp catalog.
Thanks to the constant updates on digital platforms, we have been able to learn about The Schizoids. We have been able to discover in them a delirious display of dirty, corrosive rock, With incredibly catchy melodies and a raw, direct, and compelling lo-fi sound, we contacted Goose Horrible, guitarist and vocalist of this trio, who have just released their second album., If it's wild, it's definitely The Schizoids., to talk about their new job, their experiences, and what the future holds for them.
How would you define your band's sound?
Neither garage It's not really punk. I feel like it's a mutant rock and roll. We all love that vibe now. Medway English from the 80s. We love it too. garage 60s but the Medway is greater influence
What influences do they acknowledge?
The Gruesomes, Thee Mighty Caesars, Thee Headcoats, The Cramps, Link Wray, and Bo Diddley. And also all those bands from the compilations of garage 60s like Back from the grave.
How did they feel about their evolution from recording their first album to this one? If it's wild, it's definitely The Schizoids.?
The biggest change was that Paula, our bassist, joined. The sound has also changed, but not drastically. And recording with someone else was quite a big change.
What was the process like for the first album?, Bad luck, it's Friday the 13th?
It was recorded live with my cell phone. The place where we recorded it has really good acoustics. Actually, most of the recordings were experiments with my cell phone, except for this one.
Really? What if the result was satisfactory?
Yes. I actually quite liked how it sounded. I don't know, I think I really like the sound of The Mummies' records. And I became obsessed with them when I was about 17.
Your tastes are quite specific, aren't they?
Yeah, quite a lot, you know (laughs). Because, just like I love The Ramones, I kind of like Black Sabbath. And Radio Birdman. And I also love... blues. El garage It's what I like best. But I'm not as closed-minded as people sometimes think.
What are the band's live shows like?
As we say here, it's a mess. A total free-for-all. We play nonstop. We don't say hello. We throw water. Sometimes there's blood. I spend my time lying on the floor.
How do you feel amidst all the Costa Rican music scene?
Here, everything is really difficult. There's no support except from your friends. There are no venues to play in general. But you manage somehow.
What's happening in Costa Rica through some groups is also having an impact on the rest of Latin America, isn't it?
Yes, but very few actually. Groups like Las Robertas or Ave Negra are good examples of bands of friends we have that actually get some attention, so to speak. It's difficult here, but the good thing is that at least we try to look out for each other.
Regardless of those drawbacks, do you like what's happening musically in your country?
Sure. There are some very interesting ideas. And I feel that the very fact that we don't make any money helps us focus on making the music genuine. And that's a good thing.
What are your aspirations for this new album?
We're currently making cassettes for this album, and we're in the process of seeing if we can release a 7" single.”
And in terms of future plans? Any desire to cross borders?
Yes, of course. Our plan is to go to Mexico in November with our sister band Las Pyramides.