The Relative Strangers
The Key Club, The Sunset Strip
West Hollywood, California
By Victoria Joyce
Photography by Victoria Joyce
SugarBuzz Magazine
Bro’s before ho’s. Lame-oh expression, huh? Yeah, I know. But what else is there to say about The Relative Strangers? A rock and roll quartet that is two sets of twins. Double your pleasure, double your fun. Ow, that hurt.
A friend of a friend of a friend told us to check out these Orange County rockers. And with such a fine historic tradition coming from the OC, how could we refuse? And TRS were the opening band at the Key Club on this cool May eve, so no excuses
fer shure.
Glad we went. First impression was The Police. The Relative Strangers sound is a polished pop, ska-psychedelic with high falsetto harmonies. Nice, neat songs with lots of melody, fullness and color expertly played.
Daniel and David Alcala is set one and Craig and Chris Garcia are the second. Breaking it down like this; David on keyboards, Daniel on lead vocals & guitar, Craig on bass and Chris on drums. Long curly hair on the Alcala’s and shaved heads for the Garcia family. And one twin from each set has a mustache so you can tell the difference. Sassy!
Forming the band about a year ago, these Double-Doubles really have it together. Media saavy! And a nice group of fans showed up to support their first show on the Sunset Strip. And, yeah, mostly ladies. Did we mention these guys look like they just stepped out of an Abercrombie & Fitch catalog? Sharp dressing with blazers, white shirts, boots, vests and hats. The very-together look was matched with a very together show. Pretty is the new Punk.
The Relative Strangers are working on an album due out next month. Inviting fans to hook up with the post-set, David Alcala offered “free stuff.” We snagged a CD single of “What's the Weapon of Choice?” bringing some funky bass n’ beats with dreamy electro swirling and those angelic
voices blending.
When brothers rock, you get serious chemistry and sometimes sparks. Examples: The Everlys, the Kinks, Oasis. I rest my case.
www.facebook.com/therelativestrangers