Norcos Y Horchata were featured as part of our Thee Detroit Bands To Watch series back in 2023 (I need to get back to that!) and they continue to tear up the Detroit and national music scene with their old-school melodic punk.
Norcos Y Horchata
Their new album Precious Little Album takes off where their debut Forever Disheveled and the follow-up EP Aloha Motherfuckers left off: Upbeat tunes with hooks and humor, raspy-heartfelt vocals (“The Artist and the Art”), and screaming guitars (and occasionally vocals – “Hack Away”). 11 songs in under 30 minutes, tempo changes from fast to faster, and plenty of texture and diversity (“Tuckered Out” – almost Psycho Candy era JAMC for a minute?) to keep things interesting.
Norcos Y Horchata - Precious Little Album
Norcos Y Horchata are leading the charge when it comes to Detroit punk these days. Fans of Naked Raygun, Pegboy, early Social Distortion, Bad Religion, and X would be well advised to dive in.
Amado wearing a sweet The Warriors shirt
Norcos’ Amado Guadarrama stopped by the Pencil Storm Compound last week for a coffee and some great discussion about the new album, their upcoming tour, and what the scene in Detroit is like these days.
Buy Precious Little Album and all Norcos music HERE
Norcos Facebook | Norcos Instagam
Hey bud! The new record Precious Little Album sounds great! Tell me a bit about the band, previous releases, and how this one came together.
I kind of have covid to thank for this band. It started as a bedroom songwriting home recording project in mid 2020 during lockdown. I had the intention of recording a set of tunes and once the coast was clear, release it and go back to my then current band. Once Doug and Roman got on board and we recorded what became the first album (Forever Disheveled), it felt more and more like the band I always was meant to be in. We’ve also had a good crew of people tag in and out, especially when it comes to touring. Shout outs to Annie, Nick, Vince and Bret! I went to work pretty hard on the songs that became precious little album. At that point we were a four piece. I’d like to think at this point I kinda know what I’m doing in regards to putting together a song. Annie helped a bit with some lyrics and vocals and everyone put their own touch on their parts, so it was a bit more collaborative than Forever Disheveled. There’s a bit less happy go lucky, cautious optimism on the new one compared to the first. It definitely has a lot to do with the world we live in. Theres a couple light hearted tracks, but lyrically it’s a bit more dour.
I hear some Naked Raygun in the vocal style and production at times, a bit of the faster/earlier Bad Religion influence at times, X, other early-mid 80s stuff. What’s on your turntable these days and what are you digging that might surprise us?
Thanks! I’m a pretty big NR and X fan for sure. Jettison is one of my all time favorite punk albums and my hottest take would be that Wild Gift is a better album than Los Angeles. Also, Bad Religion was the first show I ever got ejected from (stage diving) I’ve been bumping the Alvilda LP (French female power pop), Bad Nerves, Christy Costello from Minneapolis and the new Dark Thoughts LP I’m a fan of a lot of the current dark wave/goth bands. Twin Tribes, Nox Novocula, Iron Years etc. I also have a soft spot for 80’s Freestyle (Stevie B, George Lamond, Nice & Wild). Not sure how surprising that is, but there’s very little shame in my game.
You and I both have deep ties to Downriver Detroit. What’s in the water down there that bred this sort of blue-collar, heart-on-sleeve punk rock that we both emerged from? What are your memories from growing up and hanging down there as a teenager?
Growing up Downriver, if you didn’t fit in, people were quick to let you know. I feel that gave me somewhat thicker skin for sure. Especially as weird non white kid in the late 80’s/early 90s. There’s a kind of brutal honesty down here. No BS detected, for sure. As far as memories, AP Dollar Show, skating the dentist office on eureka, punk rock Dennys on Fort/Sibley. Penny Pincher and Record Exchange. Hanging out in the parking lot of Taylor Harmony House the night before some big concert tix went on sale. Most of the time we had no intention of buying any. Just hung out and tried to snag a free beer or hit a joint.
As a long-time veteran of the Detroit scene – many bands/releases, working at venues, knowing pretty much everyone – what’s your take on the Detroit scene these days?
The local scene is nothing like it was in the day, but then again the world isn’t either. There’s a bunch of great local bands (Love Fool, Immaculate Conception & The Bores come to mind) but it’s not centralized around a few venues like it once was. I book occasionally at Garden Bowl, but I more or less keep it to touring bands who might need a weeknight show.
Midwest tour kicks off October 10th – Where ya going and which stops are you the most excited about? What’s a Norcos & Horchata tour like? Taco Bell and Old Style or Sushi and Champagne?
We’re heading through the Midwest for this run. Have 3 dates with our friends The Slow Death. They’re pretty great. I feel you’d dig them Minneapolis is sort of our 2nd hometown (the song Lake Ave Traffic is a love note to there) so we’re definitely looking forward to going back. A lot of good friends and bands out there. Also playing Lost Cross house in Carbondale, Illinois which also inspired a song on the album. It’s the oldest operating punk house/venue in the country. We try to keep it fun and interesting on tour. Visit cemeteries and local attractions. I always bring my skateboard along so there’s that. We keep it somewhat humble on the food and drink front. That being said, I’m the guy who spent $30 on a single shot of mezcal simply because it was called Don Amado. I’m also the guy who buys gas stations hard boiled eggs. We have had our share of hi jinx on the road to stave off boredom (made a then new member wear a leather vest like a biker prospect. Listen to 45 minutes of Paul Stanley stage banter as initiation too). All in all, we look forward to each tour.
Jeremy Porter lives near Detroit, fronts the rock and roll band Jeremy Porter And The Tucos, and plays acoustic shows all over the place. Follow him and them on Facebook to read his road blog about their adventures on the dive-bar circuit.
www.jeremyportermusic.com | www.blog.jeremyportermusic.com
www.thetucos.com
www.facebook.com/jeremyportermusic
www.rockandrollrestrooms.com
Twitter: @jeremyportermi | Instagram: @onetogive & @jeremyportermusic
