Perhaps no band embodies the punk tradition in which Gainesville is steeped better than Spanish Gamble.
But the locally based band left the sun-soaked confines of Gainesville in April to embark on an extensive European tour.
The band, comprised of vocalist/guitarist Colin Shane, bassist Ryan Weber, guitarist Randy Reddell and drummer James Perez, released a full-length album entitled "It's All Coming Down" in February 2010 on Paper + Plastick Records.
Weber said he met Paper + Plastick founder Vinnie Fiorello when Fiorello's band, Less Than Jake, placed an order with Weber's skateboard production company. While on tour, Weber called Fiorello and a domino effect led Spanish Gamble to eventually sign to Paper + Plastick.
While in Europe, the band has played with a variety of groups. One of their favorite shows was playing in Bristol, U.K., with Dead To Me, OK Pilot, The Arteries and others, where Spanish Gamble went crazy during Dead To Me's performance.
Reddell continued to say Spanish Gamble is treating the tour like a vacation. Although they don't have much downtime with traveling and performing nearly every day, they try to meet and have drinks with locals after every show.
As a touring band, Weber said it's a great feeling to know they have support all around the world.
"To be over here in Europe and know our music took us here is unbelievable," Weber said.
While overseas, Weber is also in the process of booking a 50-day U.S. tour any time he can get an Internet connection. That do-it-yourself ethic is what has always kept Spanish Gamble relevant.
When the band returns from Germany, it will start a new stateside run of dates just two hours after touching down on the New York City tarmac.
Even though touring life for a punk band can be difficult, Spanish Gamble wouldn't change anything for the world. Weber said they want to stay out on the road as much as possible
"Someday we want to tour Japan, that's for sure!"
