Mariachi El Bronx - Cell Mates

Los Angeles based punk band the Bronx - aptly named after the left coast borough - has for the last 6 years redefined what punk means, sounds and doesn’t look like.

After 3 self-titled full lengths, countless tours all over the world and more 7 inches and EPs than one can count, they return with their latest offering – the self titled Mariachi El Bronx on August 17th 2009, which was produced by John Avila in Los Angeles.

 The album is preceded on August 10th by a limited edition, embossed seven inch single. Album track “Cell Mates” is on the A-side whilst the B-side is a cover of Prince's “I Would Die 4 U”.

According to Matt from the band...

“Mariachi el Bronx was probably conceived in August of 2006 in Los Angeles' infamous "Downtown Rehearsals." It all started as a way to flip the electric goes acoustic performance garbage, because that’s never good. We were invited to play live on television but decided that a cheesy acoustic version of our song was not what we wanted to do. “

“Once we were home the territorial pissing of punk once again worked their way into our lives as we completed writing for what was to become Bronx III and Mariachi el Bronx. We had more than enough songs for a record, now it was time to cement the sound. “

“Vincent Hidalgo, son of David Hidalgo (Los Lobos, Latin Playboys – and performed accordion on the album) joined El Bronx in late 2007. He really helped bring everything together. What had started as an act of rebellion had become something bigger than the sum of its parts. Alfredo Ortiz (Beastie Boys / Money Mark) plays percussion.

“Mariachi el Bronx touches on many facets of mariachi music, the most well know being Norteno as well as jorocho, wasteka, bolero and corridos. It may seem strange for a band that blasts the audience into outer space every night to take this direction, but mariachi is every bit as much of a soundtrack to southern California as punk. So they actually work seamlessly. “

Having made their UK debut in May, playing London’s ULU and All Tomorrow’s Parties, Mariachi El Bronx will perform in a variety of different ways: sometimes incorporating mariachi into their punk set, sometimes playing two nights in a venue performing each band respectively and often having one band open up for the other.

Be the first to review this record. Best reviewer each month gets £10 off their next order!