Huevos Rancheros were a Canadian surf rock band from Calgary, Alberta,"Band happy to hit big time from Calgary". Calgary Herald, 22 December 2000. active from 1990 to 2000."Ramblin' Ambassadors' Brent J. Cooper is an instro-rock ace". Georgia Straight, by Steve Newton on 16 May 2012 Huevos Rancheros performed an instrumental blend of rockabilly, surf, garage, and punk music.
History Initially consisting of guitarist Brent Cooper, bassist Graham Evans and drummer Richie Ranchero, Huevos Rancheros released the six-song EP Huevosaurus independently in 1990 before releasing the EP Rocket to Nowhere in 1991 on Estrus Records."Spontaneity the name; Huevos Rancheros bring youthful enthusiasm". Edmonton Journal, 4 September 1992. In its early years the band was sometimes described as a cross between Led Zeppelin and The Ventures.
The band then signed to C/Z Records, which reissued Huevosaurus in 1992 before releasing the band's full-length album Endsville in 1993."Huevos Rancheros get cracking with c'mon-and-dance message". Toronto Star, 23 September 1993.
In 1995, the band signed to Mint Records."Huevos Rancheros London bound". Calgary Herald, 26 March 1995. Around the same time, Evans left the band and was replaced by Tom Kennedy."Rancheros have nuevo Huevo; Band's twisted instrumentals continue with new bass player". Edmonton Journal, 24 July 1996. The band's instrumental rock record Dig In was released that year." Huevos Rancheros Dig In". AllMusic Review by Johnny Loftus
In 1998, their album Get Outta Dodge was nominated for a Juno Award in the Best Alternative Album category."Top Canadian talent up for Juno awards". Vancouver Province, 12 February 1998.
After touring in Europe with Duotang,"Duotang Two Piece Suites". Exclaim!, By Chuck Molgat 1 Jul 2001 in 2000 the band released the album Muerte del Toro. They broke up soon after, although they have performed occasional reunion shows at benefit concerts to raise money for a journalism scholarship named in memory of former Calgary Herald music critic James Muretich."Huevos Rancheros reunite for scholarship benefit; Former local mainstays salute late music writer". Calgary Herald, 2 October 2010. The reunion show lineup has featured Evans rather than Kennedy on bass.
Cooper went on to found The Ramblin' Ambassadors, a three-piece instrumental band."Rock of ages; Garage band veterans rev it up". Calgary Herald, 20 March 2012."The Ramblin' Ambassadors Avanti". Exclaim!, By Craig Daniels 1 Oct 2003
Band members
Original lineup Brent J. Cooper - guitar Graham Evans - bass Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
2nd lineup Brent J. Cooper - guitar Tom Kennedy - bass Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
3rd lineup Brent J. Cooper - guitar Keith Rose - bass Richie Lazarowich - drums, percussion
Discography
EPs Huevosaurus (1990; reissued on C/Z Records in 1992) Rocket to Nowhere (1991) The Wedge (Mint Records, 1999)
Albums Endsville (C/Z Records, 1993) Dig In! (Mint Records, 1995) Longo Weekendo Fiesta (Lucky Records, 1995) Get Outta Dodge (Mint Records, 1996) Muerte del Toro (Mint Records, 2000)"Huevos Rancheros Muerte Del Toro". Exclaim!, By Rob Ferraz 1 Oct 2000
See also
Music of Canada Canadian rock List of Canadian musicians
References
External links Huevos Rancheros at CBC Music