The Krayolas

Recent reviews

"The record is about San Antonio and its inhabitants: from the South Side neighborhood fruit stand at Nogalitos and Zarzamora . . . to the cultural observation of 'Home,' a gorgeous ballad that brings to mind Elvis Costello. An Anglo man looks at a Latino woman at a bus stop, trying to imagine her life."

-- L. Kent Wolgamott, Lincoln Journal-Star

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"('Corrido Twelve Heads in a Bag') has hit home with millions of Latinos living in the US. This gentle tune has quickly ushered Hector Saldana and crew to 'Dylan' status; working class poets with a Chicano slant."

-- Paul Saucido, LaBandaElastica.com
"I'm pleased to see there are a few current songs that are about what's actually happening now, as opposed to what's not ... Twelve severed heads in a bag. That's the dramatic and searing image left by the aptly-titled 'Corrido Twelve Heads in a Bag' by the Krayolas from their CD 'Long Leaf Pine (No Smack Gum).' Obviously, it's a commentary on the spate of brutal murders by Mexican drug gangs. And it's a very graphic song."

-- Chet Flippo, CMT "Nashville Skyline"
"The first hit off this album is titled 'Corrido Twelve Heads in a Bag,' which describes in Mariachi song style the drug cartel violence on the US-Mexico border. They've changed direction a bit with the addition of a horn section and the mariachi sounds of an accordion played by Michael Guerra, but lead singer Hector Saldana still sounds like Warren Zevon to me."

-- Greg Berg, NBC
"The band is making waves with its new song 'Twelve Heads in a Bag.'"

-- NPR Music
"'Twelve Heads in a Bag' -- the narcocorrrido that's sweeping America. The Krayolas' English-language narco-ballad may be the first one of its kind."

-- Cindy Casares, Guanabee
"Here's the global guerrillas theme song: 'Twelve Heads in a Bag.'"

-- John Robb, author of "Brave New War" and founder of Global Guerrillas
"The Krayolas won the buzz of a South by Southwest crowd for 'Twelve Heads in a Bag' ... 'Twelve Heads in a Bag' mixes Spanish and English, Mexican conjunto music, rock and traditional folk."

-- Neda Ulaby, NPR "All Things Considered"
"The Krayolas, a rockin' San Antonio band that dips fearlessly into the topical, has been getting some fine national press of late."

-- Jeanne Jakle, San Antonio Express-News
"The Kinks' 'Who'll Be the Next in Line,' featuring keyboard work from Augie Meyers (who frequently played the tune during his long stint with the Sir Douglas Quintet) made for a wild, let-it-all-hang-out finale."

-- San Antonio Current review of The Krayolas at Antone's at SXSW 2009
"The Krayolas channel Doug Sahm at top of his game in 'Long Leaf Pine (No Smack Gum).' Improbably, 'Long Leaf Pine' surpasses last year's 'La Conquistadora' via terrific horn charts that show off San Antonio's rich musical heritage by blending R & B with the mariachi sounds of South Texas."

-- Citizen K