Essentially South San Gabriel is a side project of Centro-Matic featuring all four performers of said group joined by guest musicians. Compared to Centro-Matic the music of South San Gabriel is quieter, more introspective and subdued. Their name appeared first in 2000 on the Centro-Matic album South San Gabriel Songs/Music causing singer/songwriter Will Johnson and his fellows to use that name for future projects of a quieter nature. The first real appearance of South San Gabriel was the split 7 Stark Miami Mines / Satisfy You with Okkervil River in 2002.