Tuff GuacBEL
Spaghetti cowboy garage
It’s a pity that eating with your hands isn’t really a thing here. Maybe some fries from time to time, the accompanying burger is also fine if there are napkins nearby. But touching rice with your fingers is something we don’t really do, let alone eating spaghetti with our fists. But as a little child, I thought that was fantastic. Without sauce, mind you. I just grabbed a bunch of those strands and took a bite, so after the first bite, a nice circle of bitten-off spaghetti strands was visible between my thumb and other fingers. Is that a bit strange? Yes, but also enjoyable.
With that image in mind, you might want to click on one of the links below. Hopefully, you’ll now hear the garage cowboy tunes and sixties bubblegum hits from Tuff Guac, the latest solo project by Rafael Valles Hilario. Not coincidentally, he’s also the founder of Belly Button Records in Antwerp, the label of Mitraille among others. Following the debut album ‘Green and Handsome’ (2022), this year saw the ultimate spaghetti pop album ‘Swanky Love’. Fuzzy rammelrock x funky western. Strange and enjoyable.
The first time I saw Tuff Guac, I thought of Daniel Romano. But after the first listen, Daniel Romano wasn’t on my mind anymore, but Black Lips were, and I wasn’t the only one. Tuff Guac has performed with the band that brings these songs to life live (Wim De Busser, Jasper Suys, Gert Jan Van Damme) as their opening act. Cool. And also, take a listen to their cover of ‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay’. Otis would surely chuckle in his grave if he could hear it.
Saturday, October 12th! From eleven to midnight! Giddy-up! | Charlotte