We are guilty.. REO Streetpunk

Rieccoci ancora tornati nella penisola Iberica e insieme a Fede che è uno dei due fondatori insieme a Miki della Streetpunk Band REO, andiamo a conoscerli meglio.... Let's Go

RTC) How and when was the band born and the members, tell us the history of band

REO) We decided to start REO after we found we had some songs in the process that we really dug.We never meant to write Oi/Streetpunk songs, but that was what came out. So during the pandemic we finished them and decided to record in a proper studio in 2020. That was how our first 4-song EP "Sobre Las Ruinas" came out in 2022. Pedro from TAE records released it and we had very good feedback, but no shows could be planned at that moment because everything was recorded between me (guitars and bass) and Miki (vocals) and the help of a good friend on drums, and we didn't have a proper band. So we kept writing songs. I personally enjoy the process of writing music and in less than a year had more than 10 songs completed, some of them even with vocals and lyrics. At the same time, Miki is very prolific, and had many topics to write about, especially about History. So, again, we went to the studio and recorded 8 songs for our first LP called "La Marca Maldita", released on vinyl in 2023 thanks to TAE records and Contra Records. So we completed the band formation with some friends of the local scene, joining Javi on bass, Antonio on guitar and Carlos on drums. We managed to play some shows around the Spanish State and then went to the studio again to record our second LP called "Con Dolor" this time as a real band. Our second LP has been released in December 2024 again by Contra Records and TAE. And we are ready to present it in Europe with ten dates confirmed at the moment in Germany, Czech Rep., and Spain.

RTC) How can we call your style of playing? which are your musical influences?

REO) I think "punk" is the fairest label to name our music. Or "streetpunk". Anyway, we are a band that plays mid tempo songs, sometimes anthemic, sometimes nostalgic but with a big dose of rage and with the intention of making people sing-a-long during energetic shows. Obviously we have our roots very deep in hardcore and Oi! music as we have been playing in bands since more than 20 years.

Our influence can be found in many fonts, from American Oi to Scandinavian punk rock, going through hardcore punk and even western music and black metal. And classic Oi!.

RTC) What are your lyrics about? what do you stand for?

REO) We don't stand for anything in particular. Most of the lyrics are written by Miki, who is keen on History so you can find songs about Andalusian recent history (not medieval or anything like that), Spanish civil war, art (he loves Goya, Caravaggio, ...), and untold stories about not so known characters. The lyrics I wrote use to talk about dealing with suffering and pain and being strong in difficult times. Nothing special but profound at the same time. Anyways, we help each other when we need to complete lyrics for a track.

RTC) What's your favourite beer or alcoholic drink?

REO) Miki is the most drinking guy in the band, I'm sure he would agree if I say he loves Sherry wine (from our home town, Jerez) and beer, probably Cruzcampo. I don't know, but he is a professional drinker. I have known him for 25 years ago and I never saw him denying any alcoholic beverage.

Rest of the guys in the van drink beers and sometimes other alcoholic drinks.

Mmmm, I'm straight edge, so maybe I'm not the best member to answer these kinds of questions.

RTC) Speak about the Oi! and Punk scene in your Area and Country

REO) Spain has different Oi!/Punk scenes, like the Basque ones, Catalonia (Barcelona) and Madrid. We can definitely talk about the scene in Jerez, our home town and the scene where we grew up and where we have been participating in booking shows, writing zines, playing in bands, ... . It is a small scene but very active since the mid 90's. There has always been a small but strong presence of counterculture, perhaps because we have an American base in less than 30 kms that supplied the city with rock records even before Madrid or Barcelona. We have had mods, rockers, punks, hardcore kids, straight edge and skinheads. The best thing in our scene is that everything comes together. If you go to a hardcore show you won't find many different people than if you go to a punk or a metal show. Some punk bands you should check: The Mexican Sugar Skulls, Good Things, Garum, Txuminos Imberbes, ... and if you are interested in hardcore, Decadence. Oh, and two of our bandmates, Antonio and Carlos, have a heavy rock / stoner band called Surya.

Back in the years Miki and I played in the first Oi! band from Andalusia called Serry Soldiers, and also in a Warzone style hardcore band called Second Division. Javi played together with Miki in a punk band called Hot Garlic. And I have played in many hardcore bands like Truth Through Fight and Minority Of One.