Don Caballero

Most of you probably already know about them and have at least one album. They are one of my favorite bands of all time. Probably my biggest musical influence. From Pittsburgh, formed in 1991. Extreme instrumental goodness. The forefathers of every single so called "math rock" band that you pretend to like to get indie cred. They actually do it right, its not overdone, its not technical just for the sake of being technical. They are mostly known for their drummer, Damon Che, who is a maniac on the drums. It seriously sounds like he solos throughout all the songs, hardly ever doing the same thing twice. Guitarist Ian Williams went on to be in Storm and Stress and is now in Battles. They broke up in 2000, but in 2006 Damon Che recruited all new members to write a new record, and then released another one in 2008. I will not post anything from the new version of Don Cab, because it is a disgrace to the great band's name. Oh, and they probably started that whole "hey, we're in an instrumental band, lets have really long song titles that only we find funny" thing.

For Respect (1993)

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Their first full length, not as complex musically, but still very good. Ian Williams joined right before the recording, so he didn't have much creative input into this record. Steve Albini produced.

Don Caballero 2 (1995)

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Still really abrasive and has got hints of For Respect, but they are becoming more mathy and have integrated more riffs and have longer songs on this one.

What Burns Never Returns (1998)

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Ian Williams started experimenting with delay and other effects pedals. This one is my personal favorite. They really started to get into the style that some would say they perfected on their next full length. Also, this record has one of the greatest covers of all time.

Singles Breaking Up (1999)

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Collection of their eps and singles, except for one 7". It has some stuff from before their first album. This is surprisingly cohesive for a compilation album, and it mostly contains really heavy guitar stuff and its in your face all the time. Listening to it right now and its blowing my mind all over again.

American Don (2000)

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Final record. Only three members instead of the usual four, but it sounds like they have at least 6. So many fucking loops on this album its ridiculous. Ian Williams uses almost exclusively double handed tapping here. This would be the best starting point for the band i think if you haven't heard them before. Steve Albini Produced.

Also, for anyone interested, here is their last tour diary, written by their opening act. Its a really good read, and it really describes the tension in the band's final days. http://www.swanfungus.com/2007/04/don-caballero-final-tour-diary.html

And here's some really great videos of a live set in Seattle on the American Don tour. Here's the first one, the rest are on the guys account. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eea-D_jeMQ&feature=channel_page

Well, there you go. If anyone has the "Waltor" / "Shuman Center 91" 7", i would be greatly appreciative if you could hook me up.