After 15 years avoiding labels like math rock, Don Caballero was laid to rest in the year 2000. The heavy instrumental act hit a creative wall and split.
Damon Che, the founder and drummer, reformed the band a few years later. The power of “The Don” overcame any reservations, and Don Cab now showcases its gut-crunching rock in Punkgasm, its second album since reforming, following World Class Listening Problem on Relapse in 2006.
The title suggests a frantic, pissed-off, dirty trip through the gutters of music, yet the album is anything but. Don Caballero offers more of the complex time signatures and the high-octane, resonating guitars for which it is known, but the group now seems more sentimental. This is the album of its members’ youth, coming through them at a mature age.
Most of the songs are short and quick, but tracks like “Who’s a Puppy Cat” get spacey and electronic. Don Cab retains its punk roots to an extent, but this album is more about understanding the idea of punk or alternative or whatnot.
For such an experienced and well-traveled band to produce a blazing album of excellent musicianship, and then to title it such a sophomoric, naive joke of a word, is somewhat maddening, especially for those Don Cab fans out there ready for their favorite band to become a household name.
The band’s members are not interested in that, however, for if they were, they would play different music. Their exercise in extremes ensures that they’ll be loved but left alone enough to continue to make music their way.
– Charlie Swanson
Don Caballero: www.myspace.com/doncaballeropgh
Relapse Records: www.relapse.com