Artist description Lualta means nothing to you. And that's on purpose. Named after a street in their childhood stomping grounds, Lualta is one of San Diego's busiest new buzz bands, but they'll leave the meaning of that up to you. It's in their music -- a bratty blend of T.Rex/ Stevie Wonder bump 'n grind rock and Sex Pistols-by-way-of-Oasis irreverence -- where you're mostly likely to figure them out. It's where Lualta is best understood. The sextet recently released Catapult, a five-song EP that comes on the heels of the busiest summer in their band's young life. Fronted by a charismatic and smarmy lead singer (Mike Hernandez), Lualta has turned their twin-guitar attack (Delio Bacalski and Mike Ortiz) into catchy pop-rock epics, pulling the ears of both indie rock geeks and industry lackeys alike. Fueled by trial-by-fire baptisms at several music festivals around Southern California, talk of the band's engaging live sound recently garnered awards and gigs at the 91X-fest (at San Diego's Coors Amphitheatre, with the Vines, Cake, others), on television shows ("Fox Rox," on Fox 6-San Diego) and in awards nominations ("Best New Artists," San Diego Music Awards 2002). But the proof isn't in the hype, it's in the product. And this is where Lualta shines. Songs like the Catapult opener, "Sentimental Valium," rarely fail to engage and then surprise the listener -- be he/she a classic rock fan or underground music cultist. Crunchy, elliptical riffs morph into psychadelic-synth Wonder-isms (courtesy of Billy Canedo) on "Valium"'s stanky wah-wah breakdown. The Bassists funky-ass rudder builds the melodic spine of "Surrey," the disc's emotional centerpiece, in which drummer Gabe Gamboa weaves polyrhythmic tapestries around the chorus' brutal crescendos. But it's most likely to be Hernandez' plaintive, punky vocals that steal the spotlight. His Johnny Lydon-esque phrasing and highly personal, yet universally crafted lyrics frame the band's tight musicianship so well, it's crystallized communication as pop art.

Music Style Rock

Musical Influences Beatles, Rolling Stones, Stone Roses, T-Rex, Led Zepplin, Oasis

Similar Artists Stereophonics, The Verve, The Strokes, Oasis

Group Members Michael Hernandez-Lead Vocals & Guitars, Delio Bacalski-Guitars, Mike Ortiz-Guitars & Backing Vocals, Bill Canedo-Keys & Percussion, Gabe Gamboa-Drums.

Instruments Guitars, Bass, Keys, Drums & Percussion

Albums phono ep, Catapult

Press Reviews Check www.lualta.com for the latest press releases

Location San Diego, CA - USA

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