Gringo Motel produces music you’d almost expect to hear as the backdrop to yet another installment of the National Lampoon’s Vacation series, where Chevy Chase once again outsmarts his way from a pickle, maybe this time settling the score for the Griswalds by means of a gun duel in Mexico. Calling themselves a desert twang, instrumental surf band with excursions into mariachi and hints of circus music, it’s easy to see why Gringo Motel maintains popularity, as their music takes the imagination into a place in time, whether real or fictional.
Instrumentation ranges from nylon string guitar, pedal, steel, upright bass, accordion and vibraphone, to clapping hands and whoopin’ and hollerin’. Started in 1999 by artist and multi-instrumentalist Tom Scheponik, Gringo Motel’s three full length albums explore themes of love, revenge and art while incorporating Mexican-inspired humor. El Pinko de Gallo, the band’s third tongue-in-cheek titled full length release is about what transpires when 3 chickens go to a gypsy circus. Gringo Motel is all about coming in, staying a while and getting your fix. This band urges that you stop in the Motel for the music, and stay for the fun. Maybe you’ll even be so lucky as to find out what happens to those 3 chickens.