Article and photos by Scott Pam
Hearing The Rebel Noise for the first time at The Hood last Friday night, I was instantly reminded of the influential bands that made the 70s and 80s what they were musically. Their hard driving leads and rhythms, with pitch perfect vocals and truly catchy lyrics made me wonder why they have not been signed for a record deal yet.
Combining their roots of Led Zeppelin, the blues, The Cure, Pink Floyd, Southern Rockers like the Allman Brothers and bands like Motley Crue and Guns and Roses, The Rebel Noise took me on their rock & roll journey during their set. Well written lead guitar hooks and lyrics are what this band is about and it kept me paying attention to each song as they delivered some of the best original music I have heard from a new band. The band is polished and well-rehearsed, and their dedication to delivering their sound is felt through the set.
Ashley and Collin Pintor started playing musical instruments when they were in grade school. Ashley started with percussion instruments and moved to the drums about a year after Collin had picked up the sax. “I thought I would have to play some sort of girly instrument and my Mom said nah you’re gonna play the drums,’’ recalls Ashley. Later on she played in a band called “Romeo and the Juliets,” a mostly all-girl band with one guy guitarist, that she started in fresh out of high school. “That was my only solid band that I ever played in,” she said.
Collin started on saxophone and picked up guitar when he was in high school. Together the brother and sister team knew they wanted to start a band and jammed together. As Leo and Ashley are also involved in a relationship that started five years ago, the three moved to the Coachella Valley when Collin was transferred for his job.
Leo Rodriquez, the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist literally just started playing and singing three years ago. “I would hang out with Ashley and Collin while they were jamming and when they stopped playing, I would ask Collin if I could play his guitar. He showed me my first couple of chords,” said Leo. “My parents bought my sister an acoustic guitar for Christmas and I ended up stealing that and learning,” he continued. His mom was an inspiration to his singing since she sang in the church choir.
Soon after they arrived in the valley, Leo, Collin and Ashley started playing in blues jams on Sundays.“That’s where I picked up a little bit more skill and got kinda into the blues and stuff,” said Leo. Anyone would be hard pressed to tell that Leo had only started his musical journey just over three years ago.
They found their bass player, Ben Travis, when they went to see his band play. “We wanted to see the local scene so we started going out and finding shows to see,” Leo said. “We saw this guy in a country band with a Mohawk and a Firehawk bass…we wanted this guy,” said Ashley. Ben came over to them and they let him know they were forming a band. Ben said to keep in touch and let him know when they were playing. After two years, Ben joined and picked up their songs very quickly.
While some bands have had to make calls to find gigs, The Rebel Noise keeps getting calls from establishments to play.
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with The Rebel Noise @ Schmidy’s Tavern on 12/31/13 @ 9:00 P.M.
Booking information: therebelnoise@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/The.Rebel.Noise
