Don Caballero reuniting for Primavera Sound
The echoes of a legendary instrumental rock sound are set to return, as the influential Pittsburgh-reared band Don Caballero prepares for a major reunion. After a long hiatus, the trio is slated to perform together for the first time since 2009 at the Primavera Sound festival in Barcelona next June.
This gathering brings back key members who were instrumental in shaping the band’s distinctive sound. The lineup includes original drummer Damon Che, who anchored the group from 2000 to 2009, alongside original guitarist Ian Williams, who departed in 2000, and bassist Eric Emm, who was a member between 1998 and 2000.
Their history is tied to the seminal 2000 album American Don, which was famously recorded by Steve Albini. This foundational work was a high-energy expression of their unique musical vision before the group took a pause.
Beyond the reunion, the history of Don Caballero is packed with adventurous releases. Emerging with 1993’s For Respect, the band quickly captivated listeners with Damon Che’s complex time signatures and Ian Williams’ precise, heavy riffage. Follow-up projects like Don Caballero 2 in 1995 and What Burns Never Returns in 1998 further cemented their place in the experimental rock landscape.
The legacy of American Don has continued to inspire new projects, as evidenced by the recent efforts of groups like Angine de Poitrine and Touch and Go, who reissued the project and included live-in-studio versions of tracks recorded with Chicago producer Greg Norman during a break in the original touring activity.
The process of rediscovering these archival recordings was a remarkable undertaking. Members recounted that the live-in-studio tapes, captured between June 1999 and July 2000, were resurrected by modern restoration tools and the expertise of engineer Bob Weston. They successfully re-mixed and master these sessions for the first time twenty-five years later, revealing the raw, fiery energy of the performances.
While the reunion focuses on the classic lineup, the members continue to explore new musical avenues. Damon Che is currently prepping a new LP with El Ten Eleven bassist Kristian Dunn under the moniker Yesness, a project that has generated excitement among fans eager to hear their latest work.
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