Los Bonsáis: Los perdimos de vista (Elefant, Single, 2015)

Los Bonsáis están de vuelta, y lo hacen echando mano de su clásico sonido a medias entre ingenuo y ruidoso. Esa especie de conjunción Noise–C86 a la que los asturianos tienen pillada la medida. Anticipo de su nuevo trabajo, que se titulará Nordeste.

“Few groups in Spain at the moment are as representative of what the C86 sound was as LOS BONSÁIS are. After their 7” single for our “New Adventures In Pop” collection, and a fantastic 10” vinyl Mini-LP, now we have the advance digital single from “Nordeste”, their newest full-length release. “Los Perdimos De Vista” is solid proof of their urgent sound, in this case dressed up with a Hammond organ that accentuates their more melodic side, and which gives them a slightly more 50s touch and confirms that they are more than dignified of being called the heirs of timeless groups like SHOP ASSISTANTS, AVENTURAS DE KIRLIAN, THE VASELINES, and THE PASTELS. What’s more, this single includes “Nubes Y Claros”, a song that won’t be included on “Nordeste”, their upcoming 10” Mini-LP. “Nubes Y Claros” has some of the sharpest guitars more relaxed tempo, and develops a pure vocal line with melancholic accents. The surprising harmony hints to a greater range in the group’s sounds, while at the same time remaining loyal to its sonic roots and punk-pop philosophy. We will soon see and enjoy this intense display” (Press)

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Los Bonsáis: Serín (Elefant, 2013)

“There’s no doubt that the duo from Asturias formed by Nel González and Helena Toraño are at a joyfully creative high point. After the recent release of their Mini-LP, “Martín Pescador”, they’re back with a digital single that includes two previously unreleased tracks taken from the same recording session that brought about their last release. The songs celebrate their fondness for dirty guitars and pop melodies, somewhere between THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN and THE PASTELS.
And the title track is precisely the opening track of “Martín Pescador”, that blast of urgency mixed with celestial voices that is “Serín”. The song describes the landscape on a train ride from between Oviedo and Gijón (which the group has also shown so well in their new video). “El Retorno”, the first of the new songs, brings the best of the Reid brothers to the territory of LINDA GUILALA (remember that Iván and Eva are holding the controls of this recording), with bass lines that could perfectly have been written by Kim Deal, on a song about second chances set in a marine fantasy environment. “Telefilme” leans more openly toward the pop-punk, with echoes of their beloved SHOP ASSISTANTS and THE PRIMITIVES, showing off their sense of urgency and immediacy with a song that makes it impossible for our feet not to tap and our bodies not start to move. We just hope that LOS BONSÁIS’ effervescent moment lasts forever” (Bandcamp)

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Los Bonsáis: Martín Pescador (Elefant, 2013)

“After the debut single for our collection “New Adventures In Pop” that caused quite a stir, LOS BONSÁIS are back with a Mini-LP that will be released in digital format and white 10” vinyl. It shows this respected duo from Asturias letting loose their passion for fast rhythm, noisy guitars and the sounds of bands like SHOP ASSISTANTS, THE VASELINES, MY BLOODY VALENTINE and THE PASTELS. 
Hyperactive and self-sufficient, in addition to having prepared and recorded the eight songs on their new record and to their live performances over the past few months, Helena and Nel have also found time to make their own video-clips and release 4 editions of their fanzine “Temporal” (going back to the roots of the original fanzine format of photocopied paper). Helena also held her first art exhibition, displaying some of her work and demonstrating her exceptional talent as an artist, a talent that is clearly evident in the fascinating and captivating canvases she painted for the cover of the new record. 
Once again, Iván and Eva from LINDA GUILALA have handled the recording and production in their Kaiju Studios in Vigo. “Martín Pescador” marks them out as one of the most interesting noise-punk-pop bands on the spanish scene. The record starts off with “Serín”, an explosion of noise that, in that distinctive and unusual way the band approaches their lyrics, tells of the scenery on a train journey between Oviedo and Gijón. Next is “Medio Tiempo”, the advance single of the Mini-LP which features a title that is quite confusing, as rather than referring to the tempo of the song, it refers to the minute and a half that the song lasts. An emphatic and powerful song that is pleasingly reminiscent of C-86. 
“Martín Pescador” is one of the songs that highlight the purer pop side of LOS BONSÁIS, showing that they also handle themselves well at other speeds, a sort of mix between MARINE RESEARCH and THE CHARLOTTES, which tells a bittersweet and magical tale straight from Helena’s imagination. But the interlude is a short one. “Los Genios” is a cover of AVENTURAS DE KIRLIAN taken from an album of demos released by Elefant Records some years ago. Intended as an affectionate tribute but performed with total punk spirit. 
The B side kicks off with “Problema” which features Nel on lead vocal, a song with hints of THE WEDDING PRESENT, THE PASTELS and TELEVISION PERSONALITIES, with crunchy guitars and fast beats, but with a great pop melody. Right after this comes “La Mecedora”, the first song composed by the Asturian band, unbridled punk-pop with crazy lyrics, a song to dance to with no inhibitions. “Himno Latino” is a jumble of noise and distortion full of irony and humour. And to wrap it all up is “Pigazu” (Which means “Siesta” in Asturias), a departure from the band’s regular style, slow and dreamy, approaching the atmospheric songs of bands like THE JESUS & MARY CHAIN, SHOP ASSISTANTS and TALULAH GOSH. 
In summary, a sprightly, addictive and fun collection of songs that will delight fans of punk-pop and bands like GIRLS AT OUR BEST, BUBBLEGUM SPLASH, RAZORCUTS, REVOLVING PAINT DREAM, LUSH and THE PRIMITIVES” (Bandcamp)

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Los Bonsáis: Es mejor (7″, 2011)

Ya que parece que esta semana nos ha dado por los grupos nacionales, cerramos con Los Bonsáis, un dúo asturiano (Helena y Nel) que, de alguna manera, recupera el espíritu del mejor Indie surgido en España durante la década de los noventa. Lo cierto es que ese espíritu permanece inalterado y cobra un nuevo vigor con temas como Es mejor, desde ya candidato a ser uno de los mejores temas del Pop cantado en castellano durante el 2011, auténtico pildorazo agridulce en el que se mezclan letras personales con guitarras furibundas formando un muro de distorsión realmente apreciable, todo ello bajo el manto de una melodía arrebatadora.
Un instante es el otro tema que compone este nuevo sencillo de Los Bonsáis, un tema más acelerado y con un muro de guitarras semejante como protagonista.
Los Bonsáis son una de esas bandas que, a poco que se lo tomen con un poco de calma y sean capaces de facturar un puñado de canciones con una temática unitaria y no repetir demasiados esquemas, les saldrá un disco memorable. Banda a seguir.

Los Bonsáis – Es mejor (7″, 2011)

“Cuando descubres una banda que cita como influencias a My Bloody Valentine, Black Tambourine, The Pastels, Beat Happening o Ride tienes la sensación esperanzadora de que con esas referencias no pueden sonar mal. En este caso esa sensación se torna en realidad desde el primer acorde. Helena y Nel forman Los Bonsáis un duo asturiano que reivindica el indie primigenio, ese que floreció en España durante la década de los noventa y que lamentablemente, y salvo honrosas excepciones, ha ido cayendo en el olvido para las bandas nacionales. Su pop ruidoso mantiene el espíritu “do it yourself” y brilla con luz propia en los temas de su primer EP Ultramar (2011)” (Indiecalling)

 

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