Dude I remember seeing them that nite on the show and the next day I went out and bought me my first guitar 🎸 and a luchadores mask and learned the play their music and being a fan ever since
Holy shit! I watched this on Conan when I was in High School back in the mid 90's. The music just blew me away! I only saw this episode once, but I still remembered exactly how most of the song went. For some reason, I thought these guys were called The Mavericks. I'm sure, you're wondering, "What the fuck is this guy's deal?!" Well my "deal" is this: I had been looking for this for 20 years, so now I've got that unique high, composed of finding something that you'd given up on, AND of being right for once about a memory from 20 years ago lol.
this was their original-original 1st lineup. the bassist Esbeck left and Pete Curry joined; those first 2 lineups were THE best two ever (their first 4/5 albums up to 'play favorites' iirc)... after J. Lester left, the original drummer, for me, they were never really quite the same. still great tho =)
Straitjackets are phenomenal!!....First saw them with Nick Lowe & Elvis Costello in Nashville Indiana ....And just 2 nights ago in Grand Rapids Michigan at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill....They were fabulous!!!.....Hope to see them again!!.....Viva Los Straitjackets!!!!!!
They played that Twist and Shout venue in Bethesda several times. The basement of an old American Legion hall. Place is long gone, but great memories live on. Got to stand right in front of them and everything.
This was a couple of years before they made a deal with DiPinto guitars/basses---the brand they still use exclusively for live shows; this shows that they used to use an all Fender lineup of guitars/bass.
That's the mighty Jimmy Lester, or sometimes referred to as "Les James" Lester, who sadly passed the drum slot on in this band circa 2004 or so to Jason Smay, who then passed it to Chris Sprague (who's still in that role as of 2024). You can hear Jimmy Lester anchoring the Webb Wilder band in several releases from that act in the 80's--90's; this link will show you that band appearing in 1990 doing a great Stones-influenced song called "Hittin' Where It Hurts": ua-cam.com/video/Dz2ZwVEy0GI/v-deo.html
Never heard of these guys before seeing them this evening with Nick Lowe in Shepherds Bush... they were sensational! They did a great three number ‘solo’ spot halfway through the show & brought the house down. Their funny stage antics combined with great musicianship is a crowd pleasing formula!
I tried to get these dudes for the social night of a academic conference at UCSD in June 2015, but we couldn't afford 'em. Never knew they were on Conan--thanks for posting!
Love the masks! Great gimmick and they can replace members and they can get old and it doesn't matter. Unlike a lot of today's aging rockers ,ex: Stones, Who, etc. And great rock n roll, too!
From what I've gathered, the original founding members are huge fans of Lucha wrestling, and it's nothing more than a gimmick to set them apart from other bands, and for the attention cause let's face it, instrumental music gets greatly ignored by the populous. It's people like you and me who keeps Surf music alive.
Whether they're touring with a singer, backing Nick Lowe or just on their own, this is one of the best rock & roll bands in the world. Amazing!!
Yep
Stunned every time
We saw them with X
@@jmiller3579Wow! That must have been an amazing show.
Dude I remember seeing them that nite on the show and the next day I went out and bought me my first guitar 🎸 and a luchadores mask and learned the play their music and being a fan ever since
Awesome! 😃👍🏻
Holy shit! I watched this on Conan when I was in High School back in the mid 90's. The music just blew me away! I only saw this episode once, but I still remembered exactly how most of the song went. For some reason, I thought these guys were called The Mavericks. I'm sure, you're wondering, "What the fuck is this guy's deal?!" Well my "deal" is this: I had been looking for this for 20 years, so now I've got that unique high, composed of finding something that you'd given up on, AND of being right for once about a memory from 20 years ago lol.
straitjacketa were one of my favs back to 1998
Right on!
Los Straitjackets has survived several lineup changes over the years but continues to be amazing!
this was their original-original 1st lineup. the bassist Esbeck left and Pete Curry joined; those first 2 lineups were THE best two ever (their first 4/5 albums up to 'play favorites' iirc)... after J. Lester left, the original drummer, for me, they were never really quite the same. still great tho =)
I saw this on Conan that exact night. What a throwback!
As a guitar player, hearing these guitars that are so refreshing, clean and loud in the California Fender idiom is wonderful music to my ears~!
Well put. Me too.
I always liked this tune....
Really beautiful and fine piece!
One of the best instrumentals ever!
💯
Straitjackets are phenomenal!!....First saw them with Nick Lowe & Elvis Costello in Nashville Indiana ....And just 2 nights ago in Grand Rapids Michigan at the Tip Top Deluxe Bar & Grill....They were fabulous!!!.....Hope to see them again!!.....Viva Los Straitjackets!!!!!!
¡VIVA LOS STRAITJACKETS!
They played that Twist and Shout venue in Bethesda several times. The basement of an old American Legion hall. Place is long gone, but great memories live on. Got to stand right in front of them and everything.
These guys are SO good! Saw them this summer backing Nick Lowe. They are AMAZING!
Love this band and this song. Been way too long since I've seen them live.
Agree! Love this band and the song. Got to see them up close and personal in Carrboro, NC in 2016.
Just Awesome... Guitar, Amp, Reverb and some Whammy.....
Saw them on a cruise ship. They walked in...guitar over one shoulder, a fender deluxe in hand. So cool.
Such a beautiful song
This was a couple of years before they made a deal with DiPinto guitars/basses---the brand they still use exclusively for live shows; this shows that they used to use an all Fender lineup of guitars/bass.
Never gets old 👏👏👏
I know the guitars are the thing but still I never will stop listen those drums....how he playes them.
Me too, I just love the drumming on this track.
That's the mighty Jimmy Lester, or sometimes referred to as "Les James" Lester, who sadly passed the drum slot on in this band circa 2004 or so to Jason Smay, who then passed it to Chris Sprague (who's still in that role as of 2024). You can hear Jimmy Lester anchoring the Webb Wilder band in several releases from that act in the 80's--90's; this link will show you that band appearing in 1990 doing a great Stones-influenced song called "Hittin' Where It Hurts": ua-cam.com/video/Dz2ZwVEy0GI/v-deo.html
Nailed it! That, boys and girl is how it's done.
Wow! Yeah, that was really tight. Just discovered these guys. Pure guitar.
Never heard of these guys before seeing them this evening with Nick Lowe in Shepherds Bush... they were sensational! They did a great three number ‘solo’ spot halfway through the show & brought the house down. Their funny stage antics combined with great musicianship is a crowd pleasing formula!
they are classic
Absolutely Beautiful!!!!
YESSS! LOVE the Straitjackets, excellent performance!!!!
Me gusta mucho esa canción ❤️
No es canción, nadie canta.😊
Excelente grupo caray...
Great band! Excellent post.
straitjackets in their prime... i love the coreography !!
These guys put on a great show, see them if you get a chance, thanks for posting this gem!!
And thank you for the note of appreciation!
True musicianship!
I tried to get these dudes for the social night of a academic conference at UCSD in June 2015, but we couldn't afford 'em. Never knew they were on Conan--thanks for posting!
Too bad that you couldn't get them for that event! Thanks for the note of appreciation, too!
Great 'jackets. Great jackets, too. Kind of weird seeing them pre-DiPinto.
Grandes Genios! ❤️
Oro guitar, último dragón bass, Canek drums, and Atlantis guitar.
conan was so ahead of his time, i have loved los straitjackets the first time i heard them. this song puts a smile on my face every time i hear it
Yeseree' they're that Good Live.
Los.
The drummer is a mad man!
They are great
Los Straitjackets rock
I didn`t know them, so I did play the game "Viva Los Straitjackets". I loved
Love the masks! Great gimmick and they can replace members and they can get old and it doesn't matter. Unlike a lot of today's aging rockers ,ex: Stones, Who, etc. And great rock n roll, too!
unfortunately they have replaced a lot of members. eddie angel is the only member left
original
Brilliant!
I saw them on Conan for the first time in the 90s and went out and bought the album.
conan knew talent
Same.
Wow Their Playing Fender Guitars,I Usually See Them Playing Dipintos
Excellllllllent!
I first saw them on the Red Skelton Show.
j'adore !!!!!!!!!!!!
one of the best
JUSTE MAGNIFIQUE
New level
conan knew talent
Master!
loved the straitjackets the first time i heard them!! but still can't figure out the masks
Great band.
I have been told that they are big name studio players, and don't want to reveal their identities. Can't say for sure
From what I've gathered, the original founding members are huge fans of Lucha wrestling, and it's nothing more than a gimmick to set them apart from other bands, and for the attention cause let's face it, instrumental music gets greatly ignored by the populous. It's people like you and me who keeps Surf music alive.
they sound the best with real Fenders
Viva Gumby!
No vocals - just REVERB!
Nice.
Now playing fender?? Where are the dipintos?
This video is older. The DiPintos came after this.
When are you guys performing in Las Vegas?
no recorded in 2007 2008
Conan introduced their (back then) new CD, Viva Los Straitjackets, so this is something like 1996 or 1997.
Are those keds tennis shoes?
Chuck Taylor All-Stars, by Converse.
Mmmmm, twangy guitars and Mexican wrestling masks....
Nothing better. 😊
If I had a nickel for every surf band that hides behind masks I'd have two nickels which isn't a lot but it's weird it happened twice.
Was this recorded live in 2015?
Conan introduced their (back then) new CD, Viva Los Straitjackets, so this is something like 1996 or 1997.
The Shadows meet Slipknot ! Love it. =)
Throw out the masks, you guys cook beach venuturing musak!