Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway
Let me start by saying that Brant Bjork is one of my favorite musicians ever. The man, or in his case The Man, can do it all and pretty much is the living embodiment of all that is Stoner Rock. That said, Brant has been either the catalyst for or participant in many an amazing rock band and, in today’s case, he is both for the short-lived Ché.
Ché was formed in the late ’90s by Bjork along with former Queens Of The Stone Age drummer Alfredo Hernández, and Unida bassist Dave Dinsmore. The presence of these three musicians alone accounts for one of the most amazing trios to grace rock music. Although known up to this point as a drummer, Brant Bjork handled guitar and vocal duties here.
In 2000, Ché released their one and only studio album, ‘Sounds Of Liberation‘, for the Man’s Ruin Records and Bjork’s own Low Desert Punk (previously Duna Records) label imprints. The LP was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Mathias Schneeberger who also produced the album along with the band as well.
The seven songs of ‘Sounds Of Liberation‘ are powerful numbers that cross the broad spectrum from energetic rock and roll to all-out hazy jams of stoner rock. Their music is enthralling and riveting, any fan of talented playing and cohesive, encapsulating music will find it hard to beat.
Unfortunately, as I alluded to above, this would be the one and only release from Ché. Bjork would go on to pursue his own interests as a mostly solo artist while also producing and releasing music via several label ventures. Alfredo Hernández has since played with an amazing number of bands including Mondo Generator and Yawning Man, among others. Dave Dinsmore would do the same in acts like Serpent Crown and the collaboration with Brant Bjork in the Low Desert Punk Band.
