Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Features

Media Credit: Courtesy of Walking Spanish From left to right: Alex Nelson, Craig Stoller and Timmy Picchi. [Click to enlarge]

The term Walking Spanish is not to strut and speak in the foreign language, but refers to the acts of forcing someone to leave or do something he or she doesn't want to do. It has no direct connection to music, but guitarist Alex Nelson still deemed it worthy enough to use as the name of his band.

"It sounds cool," Nelson said, and the same can be said about his El Dorado Hills-based rock band.

The band consists of Nelson on guitar and vocals, Timmy Picchi on bass and Craig Stoller on drums. As the first nooner of the semester, Walking Spanish will be performing today in Serna Plaza - an event which marks the band's debut at Sacramento State.

"Anyone who likes rock would like us," Nelson said.

For a band that has only been together for about a year, Walking Spanish already independently released it's first record this past April and is receiving rave reviews in the local music scene.

Sacramento-based record label DIG Music, reviewed Walking Spanish's first album "Not Yet Now," and said the band, whose members are all 19, can rock like bands twice their age.

"It's the fans that set you apart. They decide what stands out," Nelson said.

Nelson, Picchi and Stoller have been together since November 2006. Stoller was a member of his high school's marching band and joined the original lineup in November 2005. A year later, Picchi joined the band. Initially, they were a party of four, but some changes were made, leaving Nelson, Picchi and Stoller as the final members.

Putting the group together was no easy task, but Nelson denies ever having thoughts of giving up. Instead, he questioned the moves and choices he was making.

"I would just think, 'What am I doing wrong?" Nelson said. "'What can I do differently, because I'm not satisfied."

However, existing as a threesome is working much better for the band. Nelson said their sound is fuller, the communication among the group became easier and everything started to run smoother and became a lot more fun.

Even though this is the first time the band will play on campus, Walking Spanish has already performed all over the Sacramento area. It was only recently that they began venturing out to other cities.

"We kind of have this plan to sellout here before we move on to somewhere else," Nelson said. Specifically, the band wants to sellout a performance at Marilyn's on K Street before touring anywhere else.

"We're all about having a good time. We just want to entertain ... that's the idea," Nelson said.

One of the band's most memorable gigs took place in their very own hometown of El Dorado Hills. With an estimated turnout of 800 to 1,000 people, Nelson was impressed by the crowd.

"I never knew the town I lived in was that cool, but they changed my mind," Nelson said.

Karen Chu, a member of UNIQUE, is responsible for booking the band to perform, having first heard about them when Jackie Greene performed on campus. Chu considers herself a fan but has yet to see them perform live.

Now, she and the rest of Sac State will have a chance to see what Walking Spanish has to offer.

"Seeing the band live is the only way to understand what everyone is talking about," Marty DeAnda, CEO of DIG Music, wrote in a show review. DIG Music manages a variety of local artists, including Jackie Greene, and currently has Walking Spanish's album available on their website.

Nelson said he is looking forward to making new fans and showing the students what they have to offer.

Aleesa Camagong can be reached at acamagong@statehornet.com.

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