June 29, 2010:
To all the Tribe fans out, especially those of you who were with us in the early days - it is with a heavy heart that we must inform you that our original congalero, Doug Van Booven, passed away last night. Dougie played on the first Tribe of Gypsies album and the 'Nothing Lasts Forever' EP (as well as Bruce Dickinson's 'Balls to Picasso') and his passion and spirit was a big part of those records. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Dougie's family and friends and all those who knew him.
Rest in peace, brother.
A half-century after the legendary Ritchie Valens made his mark as the original Latino rock'n'roll pioneer, Pacoima, California is once again Ground Zero for another Latin flavored rock volcano. Led by guitarist / songwriter / producer Roy Z, who grew up on those same East San Fernando Valley streets, comes the multi-cultural sonic experience that is the TRIBE OF GYPSIES, ready to ignite the world with their passionate mix of traditional Latin rhythms, glorious rock swagger, and pop sensibilities.
The brainchild of mainman Roy Z who set out to form a band that would reflect his Hispanic heritage while at the same time retaining a universal appeal, the TRIBE OF GYPSIES quickly rose to become one of the most buzzed about bands on the local club scene. But it a was chance encounter with Bruce Dickinson, vocalist for British heavy metal icons Iron Maiden, who fell in love with the band's ethnic sound while working at the same L.A. studio, that proved most fateful. Not only would the TRIBE soon find themselves in a London, England studio working with Dickinson on his acclaimed 1994 solo effort 'Balls to Picasso' - a liaison that has lasted to this day with a string of stunning albums such as 'The Chemical Wedding' ('98) and 'Tyranny of Souls' ('05) - the band also joined the prestigious Sanctuary Management roster and landed a worldwide deal with Mercury Records. However, internal changes at the label soon left the TRIBE out in the cold and the band sought their fortune overseas, with Japanese major JVC/Victor stepping up to the plate and releasing 'Tribe Of Gypsies' ('96), the 'Nothing Lasts Forever' EP ('97), 'Revolucion 13' ('98), and 'Standing On The Shoulders of Giants' ('00) to great critical and fan acclaim. The latter also saw a European release through Bruce Dickinson's Air Raid label as 'Tribe of Gypsies III'. The year was further highlighted by a successful trek opening up for Latin rock patron saint Carlos Santana on part of his 'Supernatural' U.S. tour, culminating in two memorable shows in San Francisco, CA and a backstage meeting with the master himself who gave the band his blessings.
Just as it looked like the TRIBE OF GYPSIES would develop some serious momentum heading into the new millennium, the band was dealt a major blow when vocalist Gregg Analla pulled up stakes and put a halt to the new album in progress. Unable to find a suitable replacement, coupled with Roy Z's increased demand as producer-to-the-metal-stars, made the next couple of years slow going in TRIBE land. Armed with new drummer David Moreno, whose credits include modern rockers Earshot and Puddle of Mudd, and long-time band affiliate Christian Byrne filling in on bass for four-string regular Juan Perez (Zack de la Rocha, Quetzal), the TRIBE started to kick things back into gear in 2003 while auditioning a slue of vocal candidates, none of which fit the bill. As fate would have it, the right man had been under their noses - literally - all along. Enter New Jersey-born vocal powerhouse, Chas West, who had first crossed paths with Roy Z during the 1998 South American 'Monsters of Rock' while fronting the Jason Bonham Band. After moving back from England following the demise of Bonham, West had been staying at La Casa Moreno - also the TRIBE's jam pad during the writing and pre-production sessions for the new record. "I think once we led go of the notion that we needed a Latin guy to front the band, Chas made a lot of sense. He's got a great set of pipes and I knew I could work with him and make what he brings to the table fit with the Tribe", reflects Roy Z. "Once we got started we were able to get in sync fairly quickly and finished up a bunch of tunes that still needed lyrics and melodies. We burned a lot of midnight oil writing and putting down vocals but I think results speak for themselves."
Already hailed as a contender for 'Album of the Year' by L.A.'s All Access magazine, the TRIBE OF GYPSIES are hitting new creative peaks on their fourth full-length album, 'Dweller On The Threshold'. Co-produced and mixed by the legendary L.A. studio team of Richard Podolor and Bill Cooper (Steppenwolf, Michelle Branch, Halford), the TRIBE demonstrate a tremendous stylistic vocabulary, with songs ranging from the hard rockin' double whammy of 'Ride On' and 'Desolate Chile', to the infectious, acoustic driven 'After the Summer', all-instrumental Latin stunner, 'Flying Tigers, Crying Dragons', and the fiery epic 'Hands to Eternity', the album's Flamenco-flavored climax. Elsewhere the band delve into U2-ish rock/gospel territory ('Halos'), pour it on thick and funky with the anthemic 'Stop Bombing Each Other!', an impassioned plea for peace and sanity in the world, pull off a daring cover of the Van Halen classic 'Ain't Talkin' 'Bout Love', deliver pop deluxe in the form of 'Never Will Be Mine', and unleash the torrent Spanish vocal tour-de-force, 'La Hora', highlighted by Roy Z's burning, Miles Davis-inspired lead guitar free-for-all.
Says Z: "Making this album was a painstaking process and at the same time an absolute labor of love, with all the contractions you could possibly imagine along the way. But, it was worth it - I think we've come up with possibly the most well rounded TRIBE album to date. We didn't set out to cover all the bases when we first started on 'Dweller.' but it's sort of turned out that way - there is something for everyone on this record. We will rock you, we will soothe you, and we will funk you up!"
The new TRIBE proved as much during their summer '06 live baptism of fire at the UDO Music Festival in Japan alongside Kiss, Paul Rodgers, Alice In Chains, Steve Vai and others, prompting Kiss legend Gene Simmons to refer to the band as "Santana on steroids!" in the wake of their celebrated Fuji Speedway set. Currently TOG are in the process of securing licensing partners for the worldwide 2007 release of 'Dweller On The Threshold' and gearing up for what promises to be a busy future. "You know, as much as I love working on albums with people like Bruce (Dickinson) or Rob (Halford), there really is nothing better and ultimately satisfying than playing your own music and getting to fully express who you are as an artist. The TRIBE OF GYPSIES is where it's at for me. I want to take this a whole lot further and really give this band the shot it deserves."
For more info visit TribeOfGypsies.com
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