Ever wonder what is keeping disco alive? It has to be more than a couple of old queens and a fag-hag or two. Disco is a lot of fun when done right. Artists like Goldfrapp and The Scissor Sisters do it so well you could just dance all night and never even think “disco”. In fact these days it’s considered funk-dance-pop rather than pure disco. And now the new band on the block, Glaswegian El Presidente, is going to show you just how good it can be. El Presidente were recently dubbed “the UK's Scissor Sisters, but sleazier” but this doesn’t really do this unique band justice.
Although superficially they have some similarities with the Scissor Sisters – Gizzi’s vocals, over-the-top style and girls in the band – El Presidente are more a rum soaked Cuban groove band with Che Guevara on vocals mixing glam rock and funk pop while going through a Zeppelin phase. And who can compare to that?!
El Presidente aren’t a secret in the clubs and concert venues that litter Scotland and this summer they played the main stage at Scotland’s premier music festival T in the Park. Already known for their high energy funk driven brand of disco-pop El Presidente’s new self-titled album doesn’t disappoint.
From the first track of El Presidente, “Without You”, it is clear this new album has what El Presidente are already so famous for in their home country; funk filled riffs, hooky beats and happy nostalgia that cheerfully walks that thin line between the ridiculous and the sublime. Frontman Gizzi’s vocals are more a high-pitched yawp but utterly perfect for the infectious, melodious chorus.
The first single “Rocket” is a hook filled rollercoaster ride of funk riffs synth hooks and more bass line than is legal in some small Eastern European counties. Its melodious drug soaked lyrics are as addictive as the drug binge they are referring too – “I'm gonna block it, fly like a rocket”.
And “100 mph” the second single, has an electric guitar hook that will fill you with sticky guitar love. Again Gizzi’s vox are perfect in all their glam-rocker perfection. This top speed track will certainly have you looking forward to “a high speed Saturday night”.
“I Didn’t Really” has Gizzi’s fabulous, sex-soaked, ejaculated vocals in perfect compliment to the don’t-you-wish lyrics like “you look like a million bucks but when it came down to love girl, you weren’t even worth the fuck”. This track is a favourite of mine, with its funk driven guitar and tons of 70’s style synth.
El Presidente is a fast, furious and fun disco/funk album with heart and soul. Seeped in their eclectic sense of melody, funk, and style it is will appeal to any fan of Scissor Sisters or Goldfrapp. If you would like to listen to El Presidente you can visit their MySpace page or visit one or both of their websites US and UK.
Article comments
1 - rob
The lyrics to "I DEidnt really" are actually:
"you look like a million bucks but when it came down to love girl, you weren’t even worth the FUSS"
NOT: "you look like a million bucks but when it came down to love girl, you weren’t even worth the fuck"
2 - A.L. Harper
I think I like Fuck better.