“The name El Sob is short for El Sobrante, a California city, which is Spanish for ‘leftovers’ (as noted on the band’s web site). If this band is leftovers, I’d eat this music every night instead of warmed-up spaghetti (which everyone knows tastes better the next night anyway). With echoes of the Bunnymen, El Sob revives all that was cool about the 80s into a garagey, folksy, post-punky sound all their own. Comprised of Earl Grinstead, Bruce Rayburn (formerly of the band Yo), and Sally Englefried (also formerly of Yo), the band takes its listeners through hard life lyrical lessons using laughter as its catalyst. These serious musicians know how to make listeners keep the CD on repeat. No sad, sappy whiners in this bunch. No way. With electrified sound, and vocals with an edge of Michael Stipe-ness, this band has both attitude and talent. This is an album that says, in the words of the humble Jeff Spicoli, ‘Hey, Bud, let’s party.’ I’m so totally there.”
Erin West
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| El Sob: Earl Grinstead, Sally Engelfried, Bruce Rayburn. Pic by Michael Miro |
Few years ago I was lucky to get in touch with
Bruce Rayburn (formerly of the great bands Xmas Eve / Yo), and could not resist to ask him about his latest music project, El Sob. He was very kind and sent me the two albums they had recorded in the past years – as usual, they sounded terrific.
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| El Sob Life in Antarctica CD (Abominable Records, 1996) |
6 comments:
Hi
I'm a Yo fan -- bought the 3 releases as they came out while living in Berkeley at the time -- and finally digitized them about 5 years ago (after giving up on them being released on CD). But I don't have the El Sob releases, and would love to get my hands on them. I cannot find them on the web (legal or not), and would rather pay the band for the albums than Amazon (or whomever). Is there a way to get ahold of Bruce Rayburn? I downloaded the Xmas Eve from your earlier post and am looking forward to hearing it.
C in California
Hi C
So glad to hear you are such a big Yo / El Sob fan. Please, try this email address to contact Bruce:
buggeon@att.net
If you get in touch with him, please tell him Eduard from Barcelona sends him a big hug and hi.
Have a good one,
E
Thanks! I'll let you know if I get through to him!
C in California
My pleasure!
It is always great to talk with someone that loves Yo / El Sob.
By the way, guess you are also into Xmas Eve – if not, please check this out:
http://onechordisenough.blogspot.ca/2008/02/xmas-eve.html
All the very best,
E
Hi Eduard
Well, I emailed him last night and he responded quickly and I'm sending him money today so he can send me the music I don't already have. I gave him your message of a hug and a hi, and he told me to tell you thanks for linking us up! He's still in El Sobrante (the town), which is just down the highway from where I live. It's funny that a guy in Spain set me up to communicate with a guy who lives just a few miles from me. It's a small and big world!
I got your Xmas Eve posting, and like it (especially the first 3 songs). Thanks for everything.
C in California
Hi C
That's great! Bruce is such a kind and nice person. I am very glad you got in touch with him and he can send you the music. By the way, so funny to know Bruce lives just down the highway you do. Such a crazy small/big world indeed! My pleasure, C.
Best,
Eduard
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