History
Borracho: Washington D.C.'s Heavy Rock Powerhouse
Hailing from Washington D.C., Borracho crafts a potent blend of groove-laden, epic heavy rock. Their sound is characterized by soaring musicality fused with a subterranean, driving force. The band draws inspiration from a wide spectrum of influences, spanning classic rock titans like Black Sabbath and Deep Purple, the stoner rock grooves of Clutch, Down, and Fu Manchu, and the epic metal leanings of Metallica, Mastodon, and High on Fire. Borracho builds upon this solid foundation, infusing their music with a unique sonic richness, occasionally incorporating elements of sludge and doom to create a truly formidable sound.
Origins and Evolution
Borracho took shape in 2007 when four friends and experienced musicians decided to embark on a side project. Their aim was to explore the heavier facets of their musical tastes and push their collective musicianship in new directions. Initially conceived as a straightforward stoner rock outfit, the band was intended to showcase the vocal talents of Noah, the drummer for Assrockers. To facilitate this, Mario, the lead guitarist for Adam West/Assrockers, transitioned to the drums, an instrument he had played for years. Steve, the bassist for Adam West, stepped in with his signature Flying V, unleashing a torrent of riffs that quickly transcended genre boundaries, exceeding both his personal expectations and those of the nascent group. Tim, rhythm guitarist for Assrockers, solidified the low end on bass, completing the lineup.
Early Releases and Growing Momentum
The band made its recorded debut in the summer of 2008 with a 7” split single alongside Adam West. This limited edition release, featuring the track "Rectify" on Germany's No Balls Records, served as an early indicator of Borracho's potential. Only 300 copies were pressed on clear/black swirled vinyl and were primarily available during the Adam West 2008 European farewell tour, with occasional appearances on eBay.
What began as a side project gained significant momentum following the disbandment of Adam West after their 2008 European tour and a lineup change for Assrockers. This freed up the members' time, allowing for increased focus on writing, rehearsing, and performing. In the summer of 2009, Borracho recorded a collection of tracks in an abandoned turn-of-the-century mansion. Two of these recordings, "Concentric Circles" and "Never Get it Right," were released as demo tracks, offering an early glimpse into the band's developing stylistic range.
Debut Full-Length and Sonic Mastery
After a year of recording additional demos and sharing stages with notable bands like The Brought Low, Black Thai, El Grande, and King Giant, Borracho entered Airshow Studios in Takoma Park, MD, in March 2011. Under the guidance of producer Frank Marchand, known for his work on classic Maryland doom and stoner rock albums, the band successfully captured the refined sounds and tones they had been cultivating. Marchand's expertise helped Borracho establish layered tones that were both "honey-sweet and sequoia-thick." The result was a powerful debut full-length, exceeding 60 minutes in length. This release delivered devastating sonic impact and captivating musicianship, achieving profound heaviness without compromising melody or craftsmanship.
The band's debut full-length album, Splitting Sky, was initially released in a limited CD edition on Borracho's own Livingroom Records imprint. It became available at live shows, through the band's website, CD Baby, and digital platforms like iTunes and Bandcamp. Furthermore, Splitting Sky received a limited vinyl release through the German label No Balls Records.
