Buen Chico

Band page created in 2004.

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Biography

indie pop

Buen Chico's songs have been described as a fiery mix of pop new wave, motown, alternative indie and punk, inspired by the likes of Supergrass, The Ramones, The Smiths, Weezer, The Flaming Lips, The Pixies and The Beatles!

They are a Leeds-based band and were re-formed in late 2003 after a major line-up change.

Morgan found Kirsty, the bass player, first - she'd nearly given up her search for the right band as it was getting a bit like trying to find a badger with an afro! But they both liked Velvet Underground [amongst many other bands], and it soon became clear they also both had a ferocious love of music.

The right drummer was even mor difficult to find ... it needed to be someone who - fitted in, who was able to hit pretty hard, pretty fast and pretty much in time! Eventually Kirsty remembered she knew of somebody who might fit the bill - Big Al. Just a few minutes into a session in a Leeds practise room, it became clear that he could hit the drums in exactly the manner required, and thus the third member was found - Buen Chico was up and running.

That was in September '03 - 12 months later, the 3-man [sorry Kirsty!] format is working really well and the band is going from strength-to-strength with a load of new songs coming through. Highlights of the first year together included;

Kirsty starting to sing backing vocals - she's got a great voice!

London gigs like Club Fandango, The Archway Tavern, 93 Feet East etc.

Doing the Leeds Bright Young Things then being a Futuresound winner and playing Leeds Festival.

Signing a management deal with Pure Wonder [alias Ugly Man Media].

David Kosten of Faultline and EMI fame getting interested in us then doing some demo recordings with him at the flash Jacobs Studios down in Surrey - we've still got one or two things in the pipeline there and obviously hope things will develop.

Other labels showing interest and saying nice things about our stuff.

Year 2 saw a gradual development in the band's overall look - more songs coming along and Kirsty developing her backing vocals.

Getting on the Queens of Noize 'Best of 2005' compilation album with people likeMystery Jets, Maximo Park, The Rakes & The Pippetes + doing a gig with these guys at the Camden Barfly. Apart from London, gigging as far afield as Southampton and Newcastle.

We put out our first single through Pure Wonder - Killing Somebody - which has sold very well and got quite a lot of good reviews. This sparked interest from the Manchester-based indie label, Faith & Hope [Mint Royale, Morning Runner etc]. They came to a few gigs and practice sessions, then we did a bit of recording work with their Neil Claxton which was a really interesting and useful session.

After much discussion with various labels, we were signed to Faith & Hope and have already recorded the first single at 80 Hertz studios in Manchester. The single will be released on July 10th.

www.myspace.com/buenchico

Comments

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On 28th January 2004 at 10:37 Anonymous 1703 wrote...

Buen Chico are really good and i would advise anybody who likes good music to go see them at the Vine!! Love Punk Princess

On 12th March 2004 at 19:40 redboots wrote...

Thanks Love Punk Princess - you've got great taste!
Have you been to any more of our gigs since? Checkout our new website.
Ashley

On 15th March 2004 at 09:10 Anonymous 30 wrote...

Infact go and see them and 3 other excellent bands all for charity this Friday night at Josephs Well!

On 16th March 2004 at 17:45 redboots wrote...

Too right, it's going to be a great night on the 19th!. Get there early and see all four bands at just £1 each. AND for an extra £ you get a CD with tracks of the four bands on. ALl this and you also contribute to a very worthwhile charity

On 20th March 2004 at 22:55 Anonymous 1279 wrote...

As expected, the Chico were amazing. Stop being amazing. You're too good.

On 22nd March 2004 at 17:10 redboots wrote...

Thanks Donkey81 - it was the enthusiastic crowd that helped us to be 'amazing' - keep on coming you guys - it's great to play in front of you!:}

On 25th March 2004 at 12:04 redboots wrote...

Quote from fan via email:
Great gig last night at Carpe Diem - they just get better and better !

Regards
Debbie

On 28th March 2004 at 18:41 Anonymous 1703 wrote...

Hey, i aint been to a gig in a while due to other stuff which is really disapointing but i saw you guys at corn exchange and you drew the biggest crowd in, you were fantastic! Wish i could see you at cockpit but ive got a birthday party! keep up the good work! Love u x

On 29th March 2004 at 13:01 redboots wrote...

Cheers p_i_p!
Yeah we really enjoyed the Corn exchange and the crowd were great - in numbers and appreciation!
Sorry u can't make the cockpit - but we have got one at the vine on fri 23rd - hope to see you then

On 11th April 2004 at 16:36 Anonymous 1703 wrote...

definatly gonna try and see you all at The Vine!! Looking forward to it

On 13th April 2004 at 17:34 redboots wrote...

Great! - come up and introduce yourself. The Cockpit was great. We had a guy from EMI travel all the way up from London just to see l'il 'ol us and he was very impressed too! The man's got taste!
cu
Ashley

On Today at 19:50 Anonymous 1703 wrote...

Loved you guys at The met, you were cool n loved the new song! Looking forward to the Bassment!

On 22nd May 2004 at 14:29 Anonymous 89 wrote...

Heard a lot of good things about the band, see you on wednesday when we play with ya

On 22nd May 2004 at 17:46 redboots wrote...

Hi Pretty - thanks!
We hope the sounds a bit better at the BAssment and that Morgan has less trouble with hi guitar!

On 22nd May 2004 at 17:48 redboots wrote...

Hi Grizzled
Hope we live up to the "good things" Which band are you?
We're looking forward to the Bassment too - see yah!

On 24th May 2004 at 13:55 Anonymous 89 wrote...

I'm the bassist for falling with angels but don't let that put you off, i'm pretty open minded about all music, i was suprised we were booked the same bill as you!

On 27th May 2004 at 12:01 redboots wrote...

Hey grizzled - good gig last night. You were right about the style differences! But I dont't think it was a problem - just a pity a few more didn't get to see it.
Enjoyed your set

On 27th May 2004 at 13:04 Anonymous 89 wrote...

Thanks, shame we couldn't stick around longer but i liked what i heard from your site and the soundcheck anyway, i'll probably make my way back to see you before you're famous ;) But yeah, i enjoyed the gig last night, its a brilliant venue

On 19th September 2004 at 18:03 Anonymous 3191 wrote...

Buen people: you do realise your site's playing up at the moment? And I don't have your forum address so yeah... any idea when stuff'll be sorted?

On 9th October 2004 at 19:34 Anonymous 399 wrote...

Yo Lewis, the site is all sorted now. Should be getting updated pretty soon too, plus some photos from London and a a diary section when I get my arse in gear. Kirsty

On 19th October 2004 at 10:33 redboots wrote...

Hey Lewis - it's my fault we had a problem with the website. We transferred our 'host' and the old host wouldn't let go until I jumped through a load of hoops! Still I can understand em not wanting to loose the soon-to-be-very-famous Buen Chico!
See you at The Well on the 20th?

On 25th May 2005 at 23:48 Anonymous 4192 wrote...

yo guys hows it hangin hope u are playing at mat millers b DAY PARTY ON THE 21 og august i think. o year and you ROCK. warning?!-achtung?!

On 26th May 2005 at 01:47 Anonymous 4015 wrote...

'sup with the website, guys?

On 18th July 2005 at 13:48 redboots wrote...

KINGS ARMS GIG - HORSFORTH FRIDAY:
Just to say you were amazing, well done. It was an ace end to a really good evening all round, I think. Cheers for the encores too!

I'm going to try and see you more often coz I'm a big fan and have been for a while. Let it carry on for years to come.
QUOTE from 'Whitty Bobble' via band website.

On 26th August 2005 at 11:51 redboots wrote...

QUOTE FROM RECENTLY RECEIVED EMAIL:

Amazing!!!

I was at Carpe Diem last Saturday...and your gig was amazing, seriously I hope you will have the success you deserve...and the single and other stuff you have recorded is brilliant....I am not gonna say you will get there, because you are there already!!!

Thanks,

David

On 30th August 2005 at 23:53 Anonymous 4015 wrote...

Just thought I'd voice my laughter on the utterly bollocks Sandman review of the Killing Somebody single. Firstly, the reviewer makes himself look like an idiot by continually referring to it as a demo. Secondly, he makes comparisons to bands who have no similarities at all with Buen. Thirdly... oh, it's just plain wrong.

On 26th October 2005 at 19:33 redboots wrote...

Cheers Lewis
He was a bit of a negative / miserable so-and-so wasn't he?!
You can't please all of the people all of the time but:
James Smith of EMI Music said: "Would love to hear the new 'Buen Chico' material" - then "The track sounds great!!"
PLUS the reviews in Glasswerk + Music Guru + Vibrations were equaly as enthusiastic
PLUS, partly as a result of the single, we are in serious negotiations with a major Indie Label. Hopefully there will be an announcement before Christmas - watch this space . . . .