A literal supergroup of global significance, Buñuel boasts the singular vocals and razor sharp lyrics of Eugene S. Robinson (Oxbow) and a powerhouse European trio comprised of guitarist Xabier Iriondo (Afterhours, A Short Apnea), bassist David Haemery (Sordide) and drummer Frank Valente (Il Teatro Degli Orrori).
Formed in 2016, but coming to the fore in late 2024 with the release of their fourth album (and SKiN GRAFT Records/ Overdrive Records debut), Buñuel is the sound of a difficult situation made worse by an unwillingness and an inability to play nice. If slotting it in a genre makes it easier to understand, mark it down as Heavy. With a capital H.
Buñuel have always been led by instinct and the id-like impulse to express unfiltered emotion through song. They form a close musical alliance, with a seemingly innate ability to create music that warps and buckles with complexity, freedom, tenderness and primaeval energy all at once. The title of their fourth album, Mansuetude – meaning “meekness” or “gentleness” – might seem like a juxtaposition. The record is, in Eugene’s words “extreme but articulate.” A double album with three sides. A balancing act performed for and by the unbalanced.
Throughout, Buñuel take every opportunity to stretch their musical tendrils towards discomfort, surrealism and the deconstruction of tradition, as they reach absolute abandon. Mansuetude dives into the eye of the storm and beyond, encompassing many moods, from post-hardcore to avant-noise, hard blues to post-industrial, from symphonic thrash to metal to free-jazz, all played at great cost.
Buñuel makes music for those willing to take a closer, unflinching look at the depths of human instinct, and on Mansuetude the band have created an album that will free the listener of evil spirits and let the malignant influences loose. Mansuetude is a twenty- first century exorcism – right on time for the end time.
Among other things, vocalist and lyricist Eugene S. Robinson spent the last 30 plus years with American art terrorists Oxbow. Deus-ex-machina Xabier Iriondo blazes new ground as both guitarist and sound manipulator for dozens of bands. His work on over 50 records with major and independent labels alike has seen him playing live on three continents. And counting. Frank Valente, composer, percussionist, improviser and sound extremist, is a vital slice of the rock band Il Teatro Degli Orrori. The bassist David Hemery, is renowned far and wide for his work in Rouen, Normandy’s black metal maverick’s Sordide.
Squid Pisser eviscerates the ego and all things serene with their tightly controlled, futuristic hardcore-onslaught of amped-up rainbow vomit. Squid Pisser’s latest LP Dreams of Puke (SKiN GRAFT Records / Sweatband Records) is the face ripping, dolphin-loving, anthropomorphized mountain of nuclear sludge intravenously injected with methamphetamines that listeners have been clamoring for. Led by guitarist Tommy Meehan (GWAR, ex-Deaf Club, Sweatband Records, Cartoon Network), and supported by the savage primal drum work of Seth Carolina (Starcrawler) Dreams of Puke’s bounteous bouquet of dayglow viscera & tumor-filled sonic snot is an aural DMT trip that will leave brains boggled. Its atonal anthems of slime are a kaleidoscope of brilliant, bespeckled rage that will scalp the world and mutate the throne.
Buñuel / Squid Pisser USA tour
2.05 Denver, CO, Hi Dive
2.06 Salt Lake City, UT, Metro Music Hall
2.08 Seattle, WA, El Corazon
2.09 Bellingham, WA, Shakedown
2.10 Portland, OR, Mississippi Studios
2.11 Eugene, OR, John Henrys
2.12 Sacramento, CA, Harlows
2.13 Los Angeles, CA, 2200 Arts & Archives*
2.14 San Francisco, CA, Bottomofthehill
2.15 San Diego, CA, Soda Bar
2.16 Phoenix, AZ, Last Exit
2.17 Albuquerque, NM, Sister Bar
2.18 Colorado Springs, CO, Thrashers
*No Squid Pisser