Perro Bravo – Case Pacific
1.) Dr. Chopper
2.) For Chinaski
3.) Huevos Revueltos (feat. Roger Rivas & Tim Wu)
4.) History Repeats
5.) DJ Product (feat. DJ Product 69 & Roger Rivas)
6.) Wrong Direction
7.) Coastal Access (feat. Roger Rivas)
8.) Fish on the Line (feat. Roger Rivas)
9.) Pick Me Up (Off the Floor) [feat. Marc Ford & Mike Malone]
10.) The Kelp Forest
The Pier Album Rating:
Release Date: January 31st, 2018
Record Label: Skunk Records
Official Website: Perro Bravo Website
Artist Background:
Perro Bravo is a band started by Michael “Miguel “Happoldt. Miguel began his musical adventure as a member of the group Sublime. He played with the group between 1991 and 1993 and produced and mixed the band’s first album 40. Oz. to Freedom. After signing with a major label the band recorded its break through record “Sublime.” Veterans of the stage and studio, Perro Bravo is more focused on grass roots approach to bringing music to the people and a do it yourself ethic in the studio.
The sound is similar to Sublime and Slightly Stoopid but is also more guitars based. Current stage line up is Mike Long (Capitol Eye) on bass, and Greg “Mudd” Lowther (Falling Idols, Corn Doggy Dog, Gluefactory, etc.) on drums.
Album Review:
If you’re a Sublime purist, this is a quality addition to your collection -— It has rock & roll, surf-jams, ska-skanks, reggae and some hip hop with old school DJ scratching. There’s an undeniable Sublime demo, throw-back underground sound to the record. Heavy guitars and bass with melodic horn contributions reflect the albums depth of what Miguel explains as shameful compromise of personal liberty for the nanny state.
The thing with Perro Bravo releases is they have that grimey, old-school demo feel to it. The production isn’t bright and polished like Sublime’s self-titled, but more dark and muted like Sublime’s Robbin The Hood or Jah Wont Pay The Bills. The underground/demo sound doesn’t gain the same traction with fans these days as it did years ago with Cassettes, CDs or at the start of the MP3 era. What the album lacks in its stand-out production quality, it makes for in its artistry and musicianship. That doesn’t mean it translates into pop with a culmination of artistry that came up with songs drenched in general likability among a general audience — it just shows the foundation of what a bigger production could develop given the right producer and budget.
Stand out songs include “Pick Me Up (Off The Floor),” “Coastal Access,” and ”DJ Product.” The latter sounds like a hip hop mix right off Sublimes Robbin The Hood and likely sticks out more for its Sublime nostalgia as the song includes scratching by DJ Product 1969 who was also featured on Robbin The Hood.
“Pick Me Up (Off The Floor)” is a classic Rock & Roll song bordering on country appeal that actually has pop sensibilities with cross-over potential to the likes of Tom Petty. This is a great example of how the right producer, like a Dave Kobb, and big enough budget could further it’s potential.
”Coastal Access” is more of a Tom Petty sounding, melodically stony jam that would be best paired with a blunt inside a dimly lit, smokey room. It’s bass heavy with a cool guitar solo that The Aggrolites’ Roger Rivas keeps pace with on the organ.
Miguel doesn’t have the strongest voice and he’s not hitting high notes or soulful melodies, even the lyrics can be hard to make out or understand, but he’s a great songwriter, producer and is a professor of dub with a background in punk. He likes to conceptualize and flashes glimpse of cross-over appeal as mentioned with the stand-out tracks, but as a start-to-finish record, there’s little to leave a lasting impression outside the aforementioned, but being a longtime biased fan, I welcome it as a great addition to a collection of art put out by a legend.
Written & Reviewed By: Mike Patti
[Editors Note: All reviews are reflective of the album in it’s entirety, from start to finish. These reviews are the honest opinion of each writer/reviewer expressing their feedback as a genuine fan of the music. Each star rating reflects their review of the album, NOT the band. Music is subjective. Regardless of the review or star rating, we encourage you to listen to the music yourself & form your own opinion. Spread the awareness of all music in its art & contribution]