Gringo Barrio

What is Gringo Barrio?

Gringo Barrio is a band based in Austin that released its self titled debut album in August 2013.

Gringo Barrio became a way for old friends to stay close, writing songs that revived memories of their youth in the 1960s and ‘70s in Laredo, Texas and its Sister City across the border, Nuevo Laredo. Some songs tell humorous anecdotes, others, are simple, yet unforgettable experiences of three gringos living the Mexican life beyond stereotypes.

Hank, Mike and “Sparky” grew up in Laredo and for a friendship that began at the age of 5, Gringo Barrio is the culmination of an uninterrupted passion for music. From Hank and Mike taking their first guitar lessons in the fifth grade and playing with “Sparky” in Los Cucarachas, their first musical group, these three friends have since accumulated many more stories to tell and memories to share.

Professional musicians Chip Dolan, Craig Calvert and Joe and Boo Resnick bring to Gringo Barrio their exceptional musical talent and a diverse perspective to a concept many are sure to embrace.

The Sound of Texas. The Heart of the Border.

With an unconventional musical style strongly influenced by Texas folk and country music along with traditional Latin sounds, the genre-hopping Gringo Barrio album features “sounds of the border that all Texans will understand.” The closest comparison might be Doug Sahm or the Texas Tornados.

At the core, some Gringo Barrio songs have a country-rock and even swing feel to them, others have straight rock and roll piano, but it is with the introduction of instruments like marimba and accordion that the South Texas flavor is imprinted.

The gritty songwriting and “regular-man kind of storytelling” adds to the character of the album. The lyrics, written by Hank Sames, Richard “Sparky” Miller and Mike Jackson, honor the cultural phenomenon that is the border, it’s not the U.S., it’s not Mexico, it’s just unique.