This ain't your father's jam band. Don't look for them on H.O.R.D.E. or the Further Fest. Don't hit their live show with a spliff, wearing a tye dyed t-shirt, and waiting for the light show to begin; It ain't gonna happen. What will happen is that a mystical beast called rock and roll is gonna tear loose from its chains and fly screaming from the amps of Tia Carrera. It's like a séance and rock show and a wake all rolled into one. Channeling the ghosts of James Marshall Hendrix and Carlos Santana (pre 90's pop dreck) through the disembodied spirits of Cream, and Blue CheerTia Carrera is what rock and roll always has the possibility to be. Atranscendental experience that on it's best night can take you as far as any narcotics might. And the boys of Tia Carrera haven't had a bad night yet. Formed many moons ago in a far off Austin, TX garage Tia Carrera was the brainchild of Erik Conn and Jason Morales. Both longtime veterans of many a scene, having backed artists and bands ranging from The Butthole Surfers to Richard Buckner, the two felt they had more to say with their instruments than their usual gigs a sidemen would allow. With the addition of Andrew Duplantis on bass the line-up was complete, now all they needed were some songs. But as any member of the band won't hesitate to tell you none of this tight knit trio were all that big on practicing. And so on a quiet night in Austin at Room 710 a legend was born. Without songs or planning, without practice or a plan save to destroy the room Tia Carrera unleashed themselves upon the world (or at least members of the Austin press and a tight circle of friends). The rest as they say is history. The band has hardly looked back enough to document their journey. Ahandful of EP's, Live recordings and two LP's are all that stand to sing the praises of Tia Carrera... until now. Small Stone is proud to announce the release of their first full length for us entitled The Quintessential. Five spirit rattling tracks spread over 50 minutes that will leave you breathless and begging for more. Recorded in their own studio and engineered by themselves, Tia Carrera once again gives a whole new meaning to the term "Jam Band." Check out the new album when it hits stores in October and catch them on tour this fall. If you've ever uttered the words "todays music stinks" then this is the album for you."This instrumental power trio from Austin jams with A-bomb quality, like ... Guru Guru shredding Jimi Hendrix's 'Machine Gun' at half-speed." -- David Fricke, ROLLING STONE