Warner Music Nashville recording artists, The Last Bandoleros, heralded by Rolling Stone as "the most thrilling band of the year," captured their renowned live set – 1 part country-tinged rock and 2 parts fiery Tex-Mex – during one crazy night at the legendary Floores Country Store just outside San Antonio, Texas - the band's home turf - for a new album, Live From Texas, available April 17 on all digital platforms.
Fresh from celebrated stints touring with The Mavericks, Dwight Yoakam, Los Lobos and Sting, as well as playing and singing background vocals on Sting's 57th & 9th and My Songs albums, The Last Bandoleros embarked on a headline tour of their home state.
"Floores is about 15 minutes from where we grew up and we love playing there; it always gets a little wild" says Diego Navaira, Bandolero bassist and one half of the band's powerful rhythm section with his brother Emilio (Jr.). The Navaira brothers are the sons of the late, great Tejano legend Emilio Navaira with whom they grew up playing. Award-winning guitarist Jerry Fuentes, also from San Antonio, and New York-raised Derek James (guitar) round out The Last Bandoleros' members, who all trade off on lead vocals and 4-part harmonies.
Their new album, Live in Texas features the song, Hey Baby, Que Pasó, a rollicking rendition of Texas Tornados' Spanglish anthem presented in The Last Bandoleros' own inimitable way. The associated music video is available now (https://bit.ly/2VbXCKZ) and the track will be released as part of the album pre-order beginning April 3rd.
"I used to see Doug Sahm and Augie Meyers come through the San Antonio studio where I worked. We also got to track Flaco Jimenez who featured on our first EP. These were some of our biggest heroes growing up." says Jerry Fuentes who also produced the "Live in Texas" album. "It's an honor to kick it all off with our own version of their classic barn-burner."
The Last Bandoleros wrote the remainder of songs off Live from Texas on their own as well as collaborated with some of rock and country's most accomplished songwriters. Bonnie ‘n’ Clyde - a driving declaration of outlaw love - was co-written with the Warren Brothers (Brad and Brett Warren) who also co-wrote Dierk Bentley's number 1 hit "Feel that Fire" and Little Big Town's "Good Afternoon America" for which they won an Emmy. Lead the Way was co-written with Abe Stoklasa who co-wrote Chris Lane’s hit “Fix” as well as "The Driver" for Charles Kelley, Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay.
For Live from Texas, The Last Bandoleros also worked with GRAMMY award- winning songwriter, Craig Wiseman (Blake Shelton, Dolly Parton), J.T. Harding (Keith Urban, Blake Shelton), Marv Green (George Strait, Jewel) and Chris Tompkins (Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean). On songs such as "2 Coronas" - a tender reminder to relish the important moments in life - and "I Don't Want to Know" - a brooding soundtrack to an imaginary Tarantino ”día de los muertos” movie, the group wrote by themselves.
Live in Texas was mixed and mastered by 4-time GRAMMY award-winning Robert Orton (Mumford & Sons, Lana del Rey, Lady Gaga, Paramore).
To celebrate the album's release, The Last Bandoleros are doing what they do best with upcoming concerts scheduled, including an appearance at the prestigious Stagecoach Festival on April 24 in Indio, CA, on the following stops:
Rockwood Music Hall's 15th Anniversary, New York City, February 21
Barns, Viena, VA, February 22
Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, CT, February 23
SPACE, Evanston, IL, April 15
Additional shows will be announced in Texas, New Mexico, Minnesota, Tennessee, and Germany where the band was featured on national icon Udo Lindenberg's "Cowboy Rocker" off of his platinum MTV Unplugged 2 album.
Managed by Martin Kierszenbaum/Cherrytree Music Company, The Last Bandoleros have also been hosting a weekly Web TV show “Around a Neon Cactus” every Wednesday at 7:30p Central via their Facebook page and YouTube channel. The series features performances, funny segments, Texas cooking tutorials and regular interaction with fans (affectionally called “Crooked Little Halos” after a line in “I Don’t Want to Know”).
"Our new album, Live from Texas is another opportunity for people to hear the energy and urgency that we bring live but in their own car or living room," says Emilio before Derek interjects, "It's full-on Bandos, unfiltered and unhinged.”
Live from Texas Track listing:
1. Lead the Way (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Abe Stoklasa
2. Bonnie & Clyde (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
3. Hey Baby, Que Pasó (Live from Texas)
Written by Augie Meyers, Bill Sheffield
4. No More No Más (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Craig Wiseman
5. Roll Me (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Chris Tompkins
6. Love of My Life (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Marv Green, J.T. Harding
7. 2 Coronas (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira
8. Sweetest Thing (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira, Preston Wait
9. Let Me Love You (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira
10. I Don't Want to Know (Live from Texas)
Written by Jerry Fuentes, Emilio Navaira, Derek James, Diego Navaira
For further information, please visit: https://www.thelastbandoleros.com