Locos Bravos part of New Music West showcase Michael Becker News Editor mbecker@nsnews.com ABOUT six or seven years ago Jason Keating and . Darren Ricker traded steel strings for nylon, A successful musical partnershis — Locos Bravos — was _ born in the tonal shift. The two have played together since school days at Crocus Plains High School in Brandon, Manitoba. . Jason remembers Darren as the hot guitarist at school. _ Darren was in a thrash band called Overdose. They covered a lot of Metailica end the like. Jason played in a band called Mayhem. They eventually joined forces for maximum rocking edge. -...- “Then puberty happened. Heavy metal made way for gentler rhythms inspired by Latin, Spanish and Indian waditions. Recalls Jason, “I just grew up. I loved all types of music. My ‘mom was into Abba, the Guess Who, Neil Diamond.” He start- ed to learn classical music on his own as well as through teachers -and friends. - ; Nine years ago Darren travelled out to B.C. His cars were opened to ail kiads of new musical influences. “1 just saw all these other great players playing this other kind of music I never was'exposed to — world stuff. The Peruvian ard Ecuadorian buskers down on Granville Island, they just played such a differ- “ent style. It’s all the same riffs, just in a different context. I could already play it, I just had to apply it to an acoustic guitar.” SIXBLOCKRADIUS: 14 ISLAND OF SHADOWS: 78 WHISTLER’S ARAXI: 20 PLAY FESTIVAL: 23 To win a copy of Toni Braxfon’s new CD The Heat turn to page 23 NEWS photo Julie Iverscn NEW world flamenco artists Jason Keating and Darren Ricker play at the Rusty Gull tonight as part of a New Music West 2000 showcase. For more information on the festival go to . . Jason came out to B.C. at about the same time. Locos Bravos gelled on Bute Strect in Vancouver about six or seven years ago. Says Darren, “We were just jamming away, two!” acoustic guitars, and we just threw down the case. As we were playing away people started dropping loonies and toonies into the case and we thought, ‘Hey, this could work.’” They con- tinued busking, got some gigs together and made a tape. David Jewer at Pacific North Studios in North Vancouver heard their tape and asked them to make a CD. Darren finds inspiration in the passion of the music they play. “It’s also really raw. It’s just the acoustic guitar and you. Just wood and strings, no bells and whistles.” ‘ Says Jason, “You really have to be there. If you want the music to come through, you’ve got to put that extra effort in For long lasting, great looking decks... Choose WESTERN RED CEDAR = 2..; Nature’s practically perfect wood. Ask for Kodiak Cedar Decking: ‘e Superior Quality © Specifically milled for appearance, square edges & smail tight xnots. * Available in sizes 2x4, 2x6 & 5/4x6 and believe. I’m just following my heart and not looking ack.” co . . . Jason says participation in New Music West 2000 is a great >: opportunity to showcase their music and expose it to a broad- er audience. Locos Bravos play The Rusty Gull tonight. ; They’re back live on the North Shore at Waterfront Park for Canada Day. Look for Mandala, the CD. : eo a _ New venue, fantastic showcases. Check out The Artist Tree . (924-4988), 106 West Ist in Lower Lonsdale tonight and on Saturday night. Tonight the venue features Barney Bentall, Terry Brennan, William Blunderfield and Christie Grace. On Saturday it’s Megan Metcalfe, Geoff Gibbons, Jay Knutson and Sue Medley. MORE NEWMUSICWEST COVERAGE ON PAGES 14, 15 AND 24 TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS & SERVICE... QUARANTEED. 1335 Draycott Rd., Lynn Valley - - North Vancouver whe 986-5281 ; www.weedstep.com © 5 *" WOODSTOP ‘BUILDING. SUPPLIES LT OPEN DAYS A