August 8, 2006
Onion Breath
Now that I never go out to see bands anymore, it’s just a lonesome old man and his memories. That’s pretty fucking sad, I admit, but it does mean you all get the benefit of my 20-20 rose-scented hindsight. No more negativity, just plenty of rock ‘n’ roll cheerleading.
This week.
Anyway, these here Red Onions are a bunch of highly energized punks who are too hip to be cool, and too cool (apparently) to get signed by a major label. They probably all have day jobs and better things to do. I can tell that they’re still together because they still update their websites.
Paul Gonzalez, the Onions’ diminutive frontman, packs enough natural soul and jagger-swagger into his performance to make all the babies swoon. 
There’s no counting the number of times these kids have splashed their Mexi-sweat on eager Southern Cali audiences… that includes the floor-shredding show I once witnessed at Silverlake’s now-lost all-ages punk venue/skate shoppe, Juvee.
The undisputed killer hit below, “Live Wire,” was written by drummer Jorge and originally appeared on Gabe (Starvations) Hart’s defunct Revenge label in ‘03. Lawrence Sanchez plays alto sax on it.
From the opening cryptic declaration of “Rancheras!”, you’re on a rough-and-tumble go-cart ride of hip-shaking spastic rock ‘n’ roll, East L.A. style. It’s retro, but not in that too-cute way you’re used to hearing from well-coiffed, impeccably tattoo’d Fonzie rockers or shiny-shirted, white, perfumed funketeers. This shit is straight off the asphalt, my good man, with nary a whiff of spoiled ego.
The Red Onions have more records out - a single with “Your Politics”, plus a five-song EP that includes “Gimme Some More.” You can download the last two (like I did) from their other website. And anybody who doesn’t dig ‘em can just pinchame un huevo… if you will please forgive my Spanish.
The Red Onions - “Live Wire”
The Red Onions - “Gimme Some More”
The Red Onions - “Your Politics”
Rick at 11:02 pm
2 CommentsÈ
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no more negativity? oh you cruel, cruel man….
Comment by wi11iam13 Ñ August 9, 2006 @ 6:33 am
I’m glad to see that the postings are coming at a more rapid pace, but it saddens me since I know that means you have only entered that dreadful
place I have come to know as home…….celibacy
Comment by chris Ñ August 10, 2006 @ 1:10 pm