Lenguas Largas at Poblano Hot Sauce. Photos by Omer Kreso.

Lenguas Largas is the new face of desert rock, a tired term that has been around for so long and meant so little that it works for almost anything being made in the Southwest. Lenguas Largas follows in the hollow tradition of whatever desert rock might conjure up not because they are majestic like Giant Sand or because Howe Gelb sometimes sits in with them, but because they’re nothing like that. They are a refutation of almost everything that the desert has produced.

One half Ennio Morricone and one half old-school Tucson punk (i.e. Recess Records), Lenguas Largas includes a wealth of Tucson and ex-Tucson musicians: Ricky Shimo (ex-Jons), Mark Beef (ex-Pop Gestapo), Chris Kohler (ex-Bobbyteens) and Dick Solomon (Ultramaroon), fronted by Shark Pants’ vocalist Isaac Reyes.

Lenguas Largas has been playing “I Feel” since their conception as a band in Tucson. They recently released their debut I Feel 7” on Tic Tac Totally Records, breaking out of their strictly-live role at Che’s and playing with anyone who needs an opening-band.

After mixing with just about every Tucson band there is to play with, they found their niche with bands that keep a steady beat, like Lenguas Largas drummer Chris Kohler, who beats on a tambourine that is strapped to a snare with a maraca. The sound is pure sand and rattlesnake. Under a magnifying glass, Lenguas Largas produce an immense amount of layers and if you don’t examine their sessions closely, you might as well restrict yourself to the old desert rock.

After playing their most recent show at the Poblano Hot Sauce Factory right here in Tucson, Isaac Reyes, Ricky Shimo, Mark Beef, Chris Kohler and Dick Solomon, all five members of Lenguas Largas, sat down and answered some questions about their show, Arizona bands and every thing else under the sun.

AZNB: First of all, tell us all the details for the Poblano show that was on the June 13.

Mark Beef: [It was] an all Arizona show at the Poblano Hot Sauce Factory, 648 W. Lester, with Lenguas Largas, Ultramaroon, Pigeon Religion from Tempe, and Francis Harold and the Holograms from Bisbee.

Pigeon Religion are a bunch of older biker dudes who drop acid and go chooglin on the boogie. Like if DooRag had any talent and their Budweiser box was filled with broken 40s. They like babes, booze and goo.

Francis Harold and the Holograms are some quaint artist types who are allergic to the sun and are penpals with Charles Manson. Their music sounds like what would accompany the voices in your head.

What’s with the show you are playing with the exact lineup the night before in Phoenix?

MB: Well, it’s not the exact same lineup as Ultramaroon’s not playing as Mike has an order against him in which he can’t get near the Phoenix metropolitan area more than once a month. So some band named Monster Pussy is playing…I think that really drunk guy that’s always in a suit is in them.

How does it feel to finally have your first 7” record out? It didn’t seem to take you very long. What was it like putting out the record and what kind of deal did you work out with your label Tic Tac Totally?

Isaac Reyes: It feels rad. Matt from TTT did all the art, and I think its great.

Dick Solomon: As soon as the band was formed there was a bidding war for the opportunity to be the label that released our first record. TTT ended up winning for the paltry sum of $9,999,999,999,999.

What made you decide to include the songs “I Feel,” “Entity Me” and “Just Because I Can’t Divide Don’t Mean I Can’t Multiply” out of your repertoire?

IR: Tic Tac Totally chose those songs because they’re hits, dog.

You’re all veterans of the Tucson music scene, so how is Lenguas Largas different from other bands you have played in?

IR: We are but mere childrens in the world music scene. It’s just fresh.

Ricky Shimo: Veterans? More like sophomores. Black magic parties at my house, that’s the difference.

Chris Kohler: The other bands I am/was in were not in the Crayola rainbow.

MB: People seem to like this band, and I don’t get naked. Maybe there’s a correlation.

DS: I play the drums in this band.

I know you just released your I Feel 7”, but what else is on the horizon for Lenguas Largas?

IR: We got an EP coming out from a label in Spain called EKK! Sounds. And we got other stuff a brewin’ after that.

MB: Playing Casinos in Las Vegas, jingles for Enzyte, opening for the Menudo reunion in 2012.

DS: More CCR in the van.

Have you thought about doing any covers?

IR: We played a Guns N’ Roses song at a show. The last song on the record is a Shark Pants song.

RS: Is that because I use to play with the Jons? Maybe a Santana cover.

MB: Yeah, I’m pretty sure Isaac really wants to do “Black Magic Woman.” I would prefer the $5 Footlong song.

DS: YEAH!!!! SANTANA!!!!!!!

CK: Tortas are totally better than broken crockery.

What was the last song you wrote? How do you write songs and how does that influence what kind of music you make?

IR: The last song I wrote is called “Lost Twin.” I write songs in a bedroom with green walls and sometimes in a bedroom with white walls and sometimes in my dreams. Life songs about living and knowing you’ll die one day. Live it.

MB: The last song I wrote was called “Get OFF My Planet.”

I write a lot of songs while I’m sitting at the bus stop or walking down the street. It doesn’t influence the music I make at all.

CK: I like gangsta rap.

Have you ever killed someone?

IR: No, just their dreams and souls. And spirits. And hearts.

RS: Shit, dog!

MB: JFK, Marilyn Monroe, Karen Silkwood…recently David Carradine.

DS: Only la petite mort…many.

Have you ever thought about just not doing music ever again and just never look at another instrument again?

IR: No, I never think of that. That is why I live.

RS: Not a quitter.

MB: Hell no! That would make too many people happy.

DS: Crazy talk.

Is there anything you’d like to say to Tucson?

RS: […]

CK: White Cobra.

DS: Bring me candy.

MB: Quit being a little bitch.