Thee Commons is one more bit of evidence of Latino L.A.’s further dominance in the independent music scene. Sure, you can reminisce all you want about the days of Mika Miko and Moving Units (they were definitely fun!) but, that was then and this is now. Besides, L.A.’s Latino scene has a couple of Grammy winners to boast of if you‘re into keeping track of that type of silverware.
What separates Thee Commons from their local brethren (Quetzal, Las Cafeteras, La Chamba, etc.) is their focus on that old-school rock & roll sound a la Chuck Berry and Bo Diddley. There are flashes of cumbia chicha here and there reminiscent of Los Mirlos and Los Orientales De Paramonga as well.
“Rabbit And Rat” is one of the tracks off their upcoming Sunburn at Midnight vinyl EP. The band’s style sounds like it belongs on vinyl. It’s super retro and I was surprised that a fight between sailors and greasers didn’t break out after I listened to it.