Taco Grande with Ferdy Belland of Phaeton

Phaeton

Welcome to the latest column on Glacially Musical:

Taco Grande.

This column's title was lovingly stolen from the Weird Al Yankovic song of the same name. 

Let's face facts, tacos are delicious and they deserve a bit more recognition.

What makes them perfect for musicians is that they're easy to eat while you're on the road. It's hand food, like sandwiches, but way better.

For our first go, we have indie instrumental prog metallers from the uncivilized center of British Columbia, Phaeton.

If it escaped your sphere of influence and didn't go into your personal orbit, check out their self titled debut record on BANDCAMP.

1. Everybody loves Taco Tuesday, but what's the best time to eat tacos for you and how many tacos do you put back in a standard sitting.

I can eat Mexican food anytime, all the time. One of my alltime favorite international cuisines! I've been known to eat up to ten tacos in one sitting, either the soft flour type or the hardshell crunchy-explosive type. 

I mean, how the heck can you eat just ONE taco?
 

2. Describe your perfect taco plate.

My perfect taco plate measures 14" in diameter and has at least a dozen tacos on it...I might need to share one or two with a needy friend. 

A side of sliced jalapeno peppers, another side bowl of salsa...truth be told, if I could replicate the legendary photo of the huge Mexican meal as found on the gatefold sleeve of ZZ Top's 1973 album Tres Hombres, then that would be a toothsome dream come true. 

3. What is your beverage of choice when it comes to Mexican food?

Three ice-cold tallboy cans of Tecate beer. However, Tecate's hard to come by in the Canadian Rockies, so usually I'll have to make do with Dos Equis or Modelo Negro or even (sigh) Corona if it comes down to it.

Although we do get the occasional shipment of Cerveza Pacifico, so that's always Muy Bueno.

4. My personal favorite Mexican dish is Camaron de la Diabla. It's this extraordinarily hot shrimp dish. Comes with tacos, beans, and tortillas. What's yours?

Chicken Chimichanga, hands down. The best Chicken Chimichanga I ever had was at Charlie-or-Carlos' Mexican restaurant in Port Moody BC. 

5. Describe the feeling of regret you get after your carne asada arrives and you realize your belly is full of those delicious chips and salsa.

Regret? Pfffttt...that's what a bathroom purge is for. Good enough for the Roman Senate, good enough for me. 

Onwards and Upwards! 

6. If you could only eat tacos, burritos, or chimichangas forever, which one and why?

Chimichangas. This question is much like describing Prog-Metal...If I really need to explain it to you, you wouldn't have understood it anyways. 

Buenas Noches!