Without a doubt there is still a swarm of brilliant vessels floating in the endless sea of independent rock. However, as the years have passed and sonic barriers have been demolished and hurdled by various whiz kid rockers, there are times when a void fills your ears and you crave something from the abyss. When you search for it, it’s never there and slips through your fingertips at the local record shop.
But, when you least expect it, when you don’t want it or desire it—POOF—it appears. Glorious and unique like your first real up close glance of a tit. This is exactly what happened to me and a band from Los Angeles dubbed, Toca.
Headed by Daniel Rodriguez (a.k.a. Xololanxinxo), a staple in the Los Angeles underground hip hop community, on vocals, Thomas Valencia on keys/percussion, Ceschi Ramos on guitar/vocals/bass, David Ramos on drums, Danny Levin on horns, and Max Heath on the keys, Toca is a band that combines generations of music, as well as combining multiple genres into one tight knit prism of sound.
Releasing their self titled debut album earlier this year Toca absolutely threw me up against the wall. The first time I listened to it straight through I didn’t really know what to think—I mean, did I really just hear hip hop, metal, 80’s pop, punk, with a twist of mariachi? 2mex, Bad Brains, and Genesis?! I wanted more and I haven’t taken that record out of my car’s cd sleeve since May 29th of '07.
When it first slams into your ear canal Toca will feel like it is being forced fed, but don’t be alarmed. This WILL be one of the most refreshing new bands you will come across (if you haven’t been blessed already) before 2008 slides in.
If your answer to the infamous question, “What kind of music do you listen to?” is “everything,” than Toca will be your new infatuation. This is genius. This is colorful. This is a band that smashes versatility and beauty into smithereens. So, what are you waiting for? Toca...
