The Decibel Decoder is delighted to be hosting a stage at The Official Unofficial in Rotterdam as part of Left of the Dial.
Friday 23 October 12noon – 3.45pm will see the venue V11, a moored boat, shake to bands from Scotland alongside our friends from across the North Sea in Norway.
To learn more about each band, here is a brief introduction. Manifesting as a band of pure innovation and agitation, San Jose delicately marry elements of Americana, Krautrock and Folk to create an Eclectic Psych Cabaret. Swiftly becoming one of the most exciting and forward looking bands in Scotland, the five-piece walk the path of greatest resistance. Although originally from East-Ayrshire, the five-piece’s outlook on performance and songwriting quickly gained them pariah status from their hometowns. This forced the band to set up shop in Glasgow’s historic music scene.
Through a series of one-off performances accompanied by performance art and mini-orchestral backing, San Jose have sold out iconic venues such as King Tuts and Stereo in Glasgow. Gaining renown for their outlandish antics on and off the stage, San Jose have crucified a bear costume, set up a restaurant scene, delivered news of the impending apocalypse and sold toilets by the merch stand.
Their live shows pay as perfect accompaniment to their sonic efforts, as San Jose are committed to pushing themselves into each genre headfirst often paying no regard to contemporary “music laws”. This brashness has allowed San Jose to be truly free in their writing, as they feel no obligation to abide by every rule pushed upon bands in the 21st century. In moments they may sound like the spacial expansiveness of Pink Floyd, the slacker country of Country Teasers and in others, the prog experimentation of Frank Zappa.
Regardless of genre, San Jose weave a web of personality within each project. This attitude has gained them an almost “cult-like” following, with their audience encouraging and engaging with any artistic ventures they so desire. It is evident that in Scotland’s brewing musical underworld, San Jose are leading the pack.
Please provide 5 words to describe San Jose?
Eclecticism To Spite The Industry
For those that don’t know San Jose, what song should they start with?
We pride ourselves on having a wee bit of everything! If you’re into your Americana and your ballads see ‘The Bastards’. If you want something quick, unrelenting and bold see our newest single ‘Oxycontin, The American Dream’.
A surprising fact about San Jose please.
Cean last left the UK over a decade ago, on a trip to Italy which was stained by a debacle surrounding soiled underwear, a radiator and hotel room fingerpainting.
What are you looking forward to at The Official Unofficial?
Sampling bitterballen. And also partying with Julia.
Looking forward what’s on the horizon for San Jose?
We’re away to record our debut longform project in September up north in Edywn Collins studio! We also have a couple more tunes to come out.
If I looked in your fridge right now what would I find?
Actimel and M&S cocktail sausages.
For more information on San Jose please check their facebook and instagram.