THE DANKOES - SOME KIND OF GRIT LP 12"

Javier H. Ayensa is a musician from Madrid —although with a Navarrese heart and based in London for a good few years— who on this occasion has preferred to record under the name of The Dankoes, together with the ubiquitous Juancho López (Peralta, Kurt Baker Combo, Paul Collin's Beat, Bummer…), who has accompanied him on bass, and Jamie Shaw on drums.

Some Kind Of Grit is their second album and was almost entirely recorded at Guitar Town, which is always a guarantee of quality. Hendrik Rover also contributed some acoustic guitar work and co-produced the album with Javier himself. Unfortunately, successive lockdowns meant that the two recording sessions ended up being separated by more months than initially planned, and the backing vocals and some final guitar work—as well as the mastering—had to be done at One Cat Studios in London with Jon Clayton, with whom they had recorded their debut album six years earlier.

Javier H. Ayensa debuted in 2014 under the name JHA, something that never truly satisfied him. This time, he opted for the name Dankoes, a further testament to his devotion to one of his favorite musicians, the late, great Rick Danko. Reading Javier's words, or listening to the passion with which he speaks of his favorite artists, leads you to conclude that, despite his talent, he took so long to launch his solo career out of sheer respect. Because admiring the greats too much can paralyze you, leaving you unsure of who you don't want to disappoint: them (even though they'll most likely never hear you) or yourself.

Some Kind of Grit is an expression that ironically describes those whose lives take repeated turns, leading them down a seemingly endless spiral, with no clear direction. That's why Javier chose it as the album title, reflecting all the hardship he endured after his debut. At least he managed to salvage a handful of songs, those that make up side A of the record, perfectly captured in the evocative—albeit cryptic—cover designed by Galli Martini, which shines especially brightly, and naturally, in the vinyl's gatefold sleeve. The stark interior photograph represents that metaphorical desert crossing one sometimes has to endure to rise from the ashes. Fortunately, after the storm almost always comes the calm, and side B is pure redemption, like the luminous "Stop Hurting Yourself," almost a declaration of principles adorned with guitars reminiscent of Gram Parsons and his Flying Donkeys.

Therefore, it could be said that we are dealing with a conceptual work, culminating in the brain that adorns the back cover, pierced by twelve swords that symbolize as many songs. Ultimately, these are personal experiences that Javier carries within him and that are reflected in lyrics that shape his phrasing, almost Dylan-esque, and that transform Javier into a true storyteller, like Neil Young or even Nick Lowe when he resorts to irony.

In the end, all the negativity we endure brings us something positive, and the series of events between his promising 2014 debut and this album, Some Kind Of Grit—which spanned six long years—allowed him to grow as a singer and guitarist, becoming an architect of memorable riffs and solos that exude the essence of Rory Gallagher and Jimi Hendrix himself. In fact, you can already feel their influence in the opening bars of this superb work… Crank up the volume and enjoy Some Kind Of Grit!

JF León (Rock & Roll Animal)