Joe King Carrasco is known as the King of Tex-Mex Rock and Roll, and with his blend of pop rock and Latin sounds, he’s built up a considerable name for himself and released more than 23 albums. Recently Joe returned to the studio and recorded ‘Chiliando’, a Tex-Mex roots rock and blues album, which was produced by the Grammy nominated Rick Del Castillo.
As a teenager Joe Teutsch was tempted by the music of Southern Mexico and was drawn to their beaches. Returning home to Texas and rebranding himself after the drug kingpin Fred Gomez Carrasco he formed a band which he named Joe King Carrasco & El Molino. Their first album, ‘Tex-Mex Rock & Roll’ was released locally in 1978, and discovered and re-released in the UK by Big Beat Records.
His next band, Joe King Carrasco and the Crowns came together in 1978, and featured Vox organ-driven Tex-Mex pop. They were one of the first American groups signed to the UKs Stiff Records, who brought them over as part of their European ‘Sons Of Stiff’ Tour. Joe followed this massive attack on the international music scene with an interview in Rolling Stone magazine and a performance appearance on Saturday Night Live.
Joe’s music has always been characterised by high energy shows, including climbing the speakers, leaping off the drum rise, and joining the audience with his guitar, climbing onto tables and bars, while still playing. He was inducted into the Austin Music Hall Of Fame in 2003, and then again with his band The Crowns in 2012. That same year he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Academy Of Texas Music, which he accepted with his customary energy, closing the awards ceremony by running through the audience, leaping to the stage, and jumping off the 4 foot drum rise – while still playing his guitar. 2013 saw Joe named Entertainer Of The Year by the Academy Of Texas Music.
His song, ‘Chiliando’, tells the tale of how he survived the Mexican Drug War, which began in 2006, about the same time as he moved to Mexico. With the album named for the Cuban slang word for “chillin out”, many of the songs were written while he was sitting at military check points in the Mexican desert, during his trips from Jalisco to Laredo.
The video features Joe playing guitar and hiking around the mountain of La Bufa near San Saebastian, Jalisco with his three Jack Russell Terriers – basically “Chiliando”. The listener will be struck by his incredible talent, and feel compelled to get up and dance.
Buy ‘Chiliando’ from Joe’s website, or CD Baby. Find Joe King Carrasco online on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Reverbnation, where you can also find out details of his live performances.
