Gypsy Pistoleros
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Proudly inclusive of those who have been excluded, Gypsy Pistoleros offer a welcoming hand, a warm hug and an open and happy heart to all who need it. Impossible to pin down into not just one but any genre, this flamenco infused rock/punk/Latin/glam outfit are willing to embrace anything and everything - apart from fitting in…
Jo Wright was lucky enough to chat with founding member Lee Mark Jones (AKA Gypsy Lee Pistolero) about his band’s new album, tour, their inspiration and … coffee…
So where does this unique Gypsy Pistoleros sound come from Lee? ‘I came up with the idea when I was living in Spain. I was in a band and we were playing there with the Ramones,’ he says. Inspired by the flamenco bands’ sound and style, and by jamming with them, Lee’s trademark classy/trashy/nice and noisy/thought provoking and emotive songs that we now know and love began to take shape. ‘We played three or four flamenco/rocky tracks on that Ramones tour and they went down really well,’ he smiles.
Not that these renegade Gypsy Pistoleros ever had any intention of sticking to this particular style however…. ‘It must be really weird to be in a band where you have to come up with the same formula for all your songs! We’ve got rock, heavy rock, goth, punk… and I feel there shouldn’t really be rules for a song. I decided way back that whatever a song needs, it gets. Some people get it, some people don’t.’ Lee adds, ‘We feel the need to pigeonhole bands, but why?’
New album ‘Church of the Pistoleros’ is out on May 2 and throws open its doors wide to shelter those on the outside of both society and of themselves. The light and shade of life inspires each of its tracks, each one hot with that famous Gypsy Pistoleros spice but with a wide range of flavours.
‘Our records aren’t concept albums, but the songs do take some sort of thread,’ explains Lee. The album ‘Church of the Pistoleros’ is for all the outcasts, the unloved, the strange, the wasted and the misunderstood. This is your church. We welcome you.’
One of the tracks featured on ‘Church of the Pistoleros’ is a cover of ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’. And why not???!!! What was the thinking behind taking on Ricky Martin’s erm, classic, Lee? ‘Because no one else would!’ he laughs. ‘It’s something that couldn’t be done! We covered ‘Come on Eileen’ because someone called us the Dexys Midnight Runners of metal. We’re not metal, but I didn’t mind the Dexys bit! I initially thought, ‘That’s sacrilege. You just can’t cover ‘Come on Eileen’.’ But we had a go and played it at a festival, and the crowd went mad. So we released it as a single!’
Gypsy Pistoleros are strong visually, as well as musically - sounding like a bottle of Tequilla would if it could speak. Possibly. Your shows must be off the scale Lee? ‘We really bring the party!’ Get yer glad rags out friends, because this party is coming to a town near you across April and May.
Lee is committed to keeping ticket prices affordable, to give everyone a chance to join his congregation. ‘These days fans become friends,’ he explains. ‘That’s how bands grow, and it’s lovely.’
He adds, ‘I’m looking forward to touring. We are playing the iconic grass roots venues. This is about our third time around on this circuit, touring on our own. The first time we played in Newcastle we played to eight people, but on the last tour the venue was sold out.’
Another big date for Gypsy Pistoleros is in August when they play Blackpool’s Rebellion 2025, alongside The Damned, Bad Manners, The Undertones - it’s a massive lineup, basically. ‘I’m so thrilled, because when I was a kid I loved the bands that we’ll be playing with,’ smiles Lee.
Gypsy Lee is pretty much a music lifer, but there was a time he turned his back on his passion – albeit temporarily. ‘I walked away from music around 2011 and I did an MA in Touring Theatre. I did a one man show at the Edinburgh Fringe, and I made some indie horror movies.’ It was kind of inevitable he’d come back to music and this time away from it actually helped him return stronger. Lee explains, ‘When I was in a band I’d always believed I needed to be drunk to be on stage. But when I started doing theatre I realised I didn’t need alcohol.’
Lee is five years clean of drug and alcohol addiction. He speaks candidly of these demons he’s now free of, and he’s glad to be rid of them and focusing fully on his music. ‘I lost years,’ he says. ‘This is a true story… Somebody said to me, ‘I saw you play in Budapest. And I said, ‘I’ve never been to Budapest!!!’. And yes, we did play at a club in Budapest, but I have no recollection!’
The music industry is a hard place to stay sober in. Is there anything that could be done to make it easier? ‘Coffee!’ says Lee. Going to gigs and being able to get a decent cuppa from the bar would be much appreciated. ‘I lived in Spain for three years and they used to have coffee on the go all through the night. That’s my gripe about this country. That doesn’t happen here!’
Gypsy Lee's voice sings for folk who feel unheard, his lyrics speak to those on the outside of the mainstream. And he brings them into his fold. There's a place for all us 'beautiful wierdos' within this band.​
Gypsy Pistoleros' music is mostly unique, occasionally bizarre and always brilliant. And when 'Church of Los Pistoleros' drops - on record and on tour - it's gonna go with a flippin' bang.
