Joe King Carrasco: King of Tex-Mex Rock and Roll

Joe King Carrasco:  The beginning of the Tex-Mex sound

Interview conducted on February 13, 2018

By Daniel Locke

Texas native Joe “King” Carrasco has devoted his career to re-creating the Tex-Mex, Farfisa organ rock & roll sound of such ’60s groups as the Sir Douglas Quintet and Sam the Sham & the Pharoahs. After playing in a succession of bands around Texas in the late ’60s and early ’70s, Carrasco founded his band El Molino in 1976 and recorded Tex-Mex Rock-Roll in 1978.

By 1979, he had formed the Crowns and was calling his music “nuevo wavo,” playing especially in New York, where he appeared on-stage in a cape and crown. He was signed to the U.K. Stiff label and Joe Boyd’s Hannibal label in the U.S., and released Joe “King” Carrasco and the Crowns in 1980. By 1982, he had moved up to major label MCA for Synapse Gap, followed by Party Weekend (1983). He moved to Rounder for 1987’s Bandido Rock, credited to Joe “King” Carrasco y las Coronas. During the ’90s and 2000s, he added reggae and cumbia to his Tex-Mex stew, with releases on Royal Texacali and Anaconda. – Allmusic.com

You grew up in Dumas, Texas. How was the music in your little town?
You started back in the 7th grade he started playing in garage bands in the west Texas town of Dumas, Texas. What type of things did you play and how your sound was? What was the year, make and model of the guitar you were playing? Also what type of pedals and amp did you use?

My first band in Dumas Texas was called the “shades of time”——I started playing in garage bands when I was in the seventh grade —- I started out playing on a Silvertone guitar — with a silver tone amp from Sears —we were playing some songs from Sam sham—— wooly bully—from Sir Douglas Quintet—she’s about a mover—and from? And the Mysterians— 96 tears—and the stones—satisfaction —midnight hour-
I still remember most of the set list- but it was 1966-
So think 1966-garage bands- and that will describe me-
And pretty much where I still am today—
With a little more Latin – Mexican influences thrown in—with rock and soul-

You style of music is Tex-Mex Rock and Roll. Facebook said the music which creates a stylistic borderland of pop rock with Latin rhythms. How would you term it?

I suppose the reason some might call my style Tex Mex rock ‘n’ roll is that what I do is take a Mexican melody or idea and combine it with a rock ‘n’ roll beat —and some people call that Nuevo Wavo—but most of what I do is still based on what I first learned back in 66-
Along with the jimmy reed – Bo Diddley records my older brothers were listening to—
For me the Beatles were great-
But I like them better before rubber soul—
On which I have had much discussion with other crazies like myself—
The Tex Mex influence snuck into my style when I started hanging out in Oaxaca when I was a teenager—in Puerto Escondido—
Smoking weed and hanging with hippie Mexican musicians—
And later playing with shorty and the Corvetts- – a tejano group that was popular in Texas on the beans and tortilla circuit—
That’s when I started taking Mexican melodies and mixing them with ck grooves credence style—
People like to dance— give them a cool beat—
That’s what I am all about—
If people ain’t moving-
I get nervous.

In 1978 you formed the band Joe King Carrasco and El Molino, which included many of the future members of the Texas Tornados. And you released “Tex-Mex Rock & Roll”, your first LP in 1979. Tell me how it was making an album back then. And how is it different from making an album today?

When I made my first album in 1976 with El Molino—-at that the time that we were still using analog recording techniques which was tape and the difference between then and now — the magic then was based on a human groove— the human feel—now everything is done digitally — I think with the click tracks and the machines that are in our lives — today —that the human element has left music as far as I’m concerned so basically anything made after 1980. With the digital doesn’t have anything to offer and does not hold any magic for me.
In this moment- I am in a room in Jalisco up in the mountains that is 300 years old—so I dig the past— because that’s where the answers lie- that guide you to the future—
I think that the real music lovers will return to vinyl—

How did your first LP make it to England and you becoming one of the first bands to be signed to Stiff Records?

Back in 1978 I went with my mom to Europe and went around London to all the record companies leaving my am Demo tape with them —and a man named Ted Carrroll from Chiswick records —ended up signing me to his record label ——and then later on Elvis Costello started playing my el molino—record on his radio show —which is how I ended up on stiff records —-

Do you remember the first time you saw your music on MTV?

I remember the first time I saw myself On MTV was probably in Austin Texas but i also remember the first time I ever heard myself on the radio —was when I was lost in the middle of nowhere’—in Wales and England —on BBC radio —-I heard the song Buena —-that was more of a rush—
All of the sudden – being lost didn’t matter anymore—
And in that moment – I felt that I had achieved everything that i wanted to in life
It meant that I had taken the magic of Buena to England,

What was Saturday Night Live about?

I was on Saturday night live in 1981 and Eddie Murphy was also on there and I got in trouble with the the producer because I went out to the audience and I was told never to come back —
They also said the same to Miles Davis and captain beefheart—
If I could do it again— I would play Buena—
But I gave a good performance on don’t bug me baby—
I flew to Cozumel the next morning— (I tried to get a video from the  show and this is what I found http://snltranscripts.jt.org/80/80h.phtml)

Tell me about your tour with the British-born Jamaican band, The Equators and how it enhanced your musical background? You recorded the reggae song “Don’t Let a Woman (Make a Fool Out of You)” and recorded it on Synapse Gap with Michael Jackson, singing background harmonies. How old was Michael at that time and what was he like? And insight you can give about him?

While out on the son of Stift tour I toured with a Jamaican band called the equators —-that’s where i learned to play reggae —and that sort of influenced my writing of the song —don’t let a woman Make a fool out of you—which I recorded on synapse gap with Michael Jackson —
singing background harmonies—he was about 20 years old and was a very nice person – who taught me a lot about Mike technique —
We hung out and talked a lot-
About the Tropicana hotel in LA—
————

Your music was picked up by Freddy Fender, for his CD ‘4 Aces’. And your music has been used on numerous movie soundtracks including “Breathless” with Richard Gere, James Gardners’ “Rockford Files”, and he also played on the ‘Tin Cup’ sound track. How did the royalties pan out?

Freddy Fender sang my song —-tell me —on the four aces CD by the Texas tornados—I played guitar on it also—
To have Freddy sing my song was an incredible honor—
Because he was the real king of Tex Mex-
Freddy and jimmy dale Gilmore and Aaron Neville are my favorite singers-
They all sing like beautiful birds from heaven—
My song caca de vaca was used for the movie —breathless with Richard Gere —James garner used banana in the Rockford files movie —
Movies and commercials are good for Royalties—
You wrote and directed a film called Rancho No Tengo. What was it about? And how did it helped your career?

They dribble in every once in a while like a faucet where they cut your water off because you did not pay the bill——-
I wish that more of my music was used for movies—
Oh well—
Asi es la vida-
Means such is life—
———-

Another very important thing for me was when manu chau-recorded my song “pachuco hop-“for Mano negra—
Manu is probably the most important European music figure to come along in the last 30 years—
Most Americans have no idea who he is—-
Go figure—
Oh well—
That for me was huge—
—-

Tell me about Rancho No Tengo?

I directed and wrote a movie called Rancho No Tengo —which was about a guy in West Texas who was a washed up Weed dealer —i also wrote the soundtrack and as to whether it helped my career —well I have no idea what a career is—
I suppose I keep doing stuff because I enjoy the artistic side of creativity—

I am always in search of that “wooly bully “song that maybe the world would want to hear—

How was it traveling/touring with your 3 Jack Russell Terriers? How do you keep yourself and the dogs healthy on tour? You started a

nonprofit group, Viva Perros which helps homeless, abused and neglected dogs find a better life. Part of the profits from the “Concierto Para Los Perros” CD and T-shirts are donated to dog rescue groups via Viva Perros. How is that going?

I have traveled with my three Jack Russells across Mexico many times— they are my family and keep me company —
Jack Russell’s are very smart with almost human like qualities—
People might think that I am crazy—
But we all communicated with each other—
I feel like I won the lottery of happiness being with these wonderful souls—
A lot of the times they have keep me from being searched by federales and bandidos —
It felt like they were my little angels watching over me ever everywhere I went and we all ate the same food —at home I would cook their food for them —
We shared our tacos and we had a wonderful life —
They never complained and would follow me everywhere—
It was perfect!
My happiest moments in my life were shared with them—
Sleeping on the side of a desolate road high up in the mountains of Mexico—
Those have been my favorite moments in my life—
They were the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow—
One of the main reasons I keep coming back to Texas to play music is that I started a foundation called Viva perros—
To give back to all the dogs that gave me happiness—we donate money to different shelters for homeless dogs the for saving the dogs that have been abandoned and we try to give them homes —helping dogs gives me purpose to my life — which is what Keeps me out there doing music or art—
Vivaperrors.org

People need to check out your video “I Wanna Be Loved” For the Dogs and From the Dogs.

How was it to get the Buddy Award for Best Latin Artist for 1979 and 1983? You have won many Latin base music. Which has made you a standard in Latin music correct?

I have received numerous awards of which I really appreciate—
I suppose if you hang around long enough— you might get recognized for something—
Maybe — the style that I play is pretty cool—
But the influences that inspired me are way better—
Style is like a soup—
You throw in different ingredients to spice it up—
Or maybe like a taco,
All the things that you can you can put on a taco,
—-

You love to get close to your audience. You love leaping into the crowd. Have you ever hurt yourself? 

 

I have been leaping and diving into crowds for over 40 years—
I am an entertainer—to the extreme—
Lately I have been balancing a guitar on my head—
T bone walker did stuff like that—
Mick Jagger is a great entertainer—
When i first started doing the leaps I thought I was bulletproof-
I leaped and flipped off high places where the audiences would catch me-
Off of roofs of buildings—
Anything to dazzle—
Because I never got hurt-
But in retrospect-
I probably was doing damage-
To my body-
If I could talk to the young Joe today-
I would tell him not to do it—
Maybe just dance with cool moves—
But Joe would probably not listen—
Because Joe got off on the rush of applause from the audience—
But it was fun while it lasted!

How often do you head to SXSW? During SXSW what is your favorite place to play?

I have played SXSW many times over the years and it has been fun—
Playing gueros taco bar—
Has been the most fun—
The audience is ready to dance—

What do you think of Waterloo Records?

Waterloo records is the most important place in Austin— to get real music—
Tapes vinyl and cds—
John Kunz—-the owner —is always at all the cool shows—

Tell me about your restaurant Nacho Daddy TexMex Restaurant and Bar in Puerto Vallarta, MX? What type of bands play there? Do you perform there (in Chicago Buddy Guy a lot of times play in his own bar)?

I moved to Puerto Vallarta back in 2006–
After playing up and down the pacific coast—5 nights a week—in 2009 —- along with some amigos—we started a club and in Puerto – called nacho daddy text Mex restaurant —
The bands play there for like three or four nights a week—we had Latin band’s -rock ‘n’ roll bands -rockabilly bands —blues bands-

What is the best thing on the menu?

My favorite plate there are the cheese enchiladas—
The margaritas are also very good—
Actually incredible!
I have had my share of them over the years—
Nacho daddy- is really the only place that you can get real Tex Mex in Mexico—
My favorite taco stand is memos tacos down the street from nacho—
I really like the suizza enchiladas at Hecho en Mexico in Austin—
All the taco trailers in east Austin are good—
I am a bit choosy because I am a vegetarian—

You working and living in Puerto Vallarta. What is you’re feeling about the Boarder Wall?

My feeling about the wall is that it is one of the most ridiculous things that I have seen in my lifetime—
It is a sad thing for those poor gringos to get taken by a fast talking city slicker – used car salesman from New York—I don’t know a single Mexican where I live here in Mexico that has any desire to go to the land of the gringo—
The wall is a GP— Gringo problem!

What is the best authentic Mexican food in Austin?

I enjoy going to Spain to Pueblos Blancos—
Music festival every year—
I would love to return to France to play the Trans Musicales de Rennes—

What music fest would you like to play?

Here in Mexico I listen to los fabuloso Cadillacs-
Julieta vennegas-
Cafe Tacuba

The Who or The Rolling Stones?

I like The Who’s—live at Leeds-
I grew up with the stones –
Keith Richards is the stone soul heart of rock and roll-
And he is a rhythm player-
Not lead—-
A rhythm player-
Which is why I like his playing—
In Austin
Speedy sparks-
Who played in el molino –
Plays with john reed and Denny freeman-
Best guitars on planet earth and beyond—
I stand by that!

Fender- Pre-CBS vs CBS?

I remember when cbs bought fender—
I still prefer the blackface fender over the silver—
But I still use fender— always—

Who would you like to jam with died or alive?

Doug sahm was the best lead — rhythm- groove Musician ever—
To play with him was like playing at the feet of the master—
The best—
I have jammed with Billy gibbons also—
Also very incredible—
Austin guitarists are the best—

I sometimes listen to Banda music—-(is a term to designate a style of Mexican music and the musical ensemble in which wind instruments, mostly of brass, and percussion, are performed).
You never know where you might find a magic melody—
Melodies for me are like codes coming from outer space—
And with the coming of digital—
I believe that magic gets corrupted in a way—
But what do I know—

Fender – Japan, Korea, Mexico, India, Indonesia, China, and the United States. Which was the best and the worst?

For electric—
I have all fender telecasters-guitars— I
Like the Mexican ones the best—
But the china -Japanese are also good—
I have played a Eric Clapton strat lately—
But have returned back to my teles-
I also play a music man silhouette—

Who shots your video?

The videos—were shot mostly by Kim Galusha—
So we have had fun in making them—
All over the world—
I like my buena video—
Shot in England- where I was arrested in front of Buckingham palace-

If someone was listening to you for the first time, what 3 videos or songs would you tell them to look/listen to and why?

Aydame lupe—
Shot in Mexico—
—-
Por que—
Shot in San sabastian-in Mexico—
——-
Nacho daddy—in Vallarta
——

While we are talking about guitars. What is the story of the over large Mexican guitars? Candelas is a world-renowned mariachi guitar luthier for example.

I used to buy my acoustic guitars in paracho Michoacán—
The quality is the best for me—
The big fat guitars are used for mariachi and crazy loud—

Who is your favorite singer and why?

Patricia vonne-
Is the real Tex Mex—
She is so exotic on stage—
An amazing entertainer—
We write well together—
And she knows how to rock—
I love playing with her —
And together -we are a force to be reckoned with—-
—————
I have an amazing amount of music to come—
Maybe a bit more rock and blues with Latin thrown in—
I enjoy making it and being inspired in Mexico—
I always have my ears to the street to see what is going on—

What is on your phone for music now?

Music—On my phone?

Anything in closing you would like to say?

I have not learned how to do that—
But I am trying to understand—
How to do it—
Right now—
The music is in my head—
Listening away:
Ay ay ay

Thank you for interviewing with UnratedMagazine.

Website | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | Instagram |