I love to blast music at my job. The kitchen is the perfect environment for loud, raucous music and I’ll play just about anything. I often use the opportunity to show people music they’ve likely never heard of. Playing Latino music at work is also a wonderful way to get along with the other Latinos there. However, I’m among the few who even know any Latin American rock bands. This is what I love to play at work the most, so lately I’ve been feeling very much like the proverbial rocker. This is Desde Latinoamerica!
Most of this probably has to come from the fact that some pretty big rock en español concerts are happening in Chicago this month. These are shows that I’ll be attending with my mom. After all, she is the reason I love this music. On top of psyching myself up for these shows, it’s always exciting to share my love of this music with others. It’s music that’s always missing from “best of” conversations and deserves so much more recognition. So this month I’ve been really digging some of the dopest names in rock en español!
Caifanes
One of the most important Latin American groups to ever exist, Caifanes are still standing strong after over 35 years in the game. Their style of alternative is heavily inspired by new wave and prog. It often earns them constant comparisons to The Cure. While the comparisons can be justified, I think it’s a bit unfair and takes away from their massive accomplishments. Led by the virtuosic frontman Saúl Hernández, Caifanes’ four albums from 1988 to 1994 have produced some of the most recognizable and exceptional tracks in rock en español.
Despite only having four albums in a six year period, the group has maintained its success before breaking up in 1995. This prompted Hernández to create his side project Jaguares. Reuniting in 2010 at the famous Mexico City music festival Vive Latino, Caifanes has seen major success in the U.S. and Mexico, selling out venues to this day. Arenas in Mexico are sold out months in advance, and they have just begun a U.S. tour with Café Tacvba, another important rock group from Mexico City.
For strong 80s new wave tracks, anything off of their 1988 self-titled debut – especially “Matenme Porque Me Muero” – will tug at your heartstrings and make you feel grand. “La Celula Que Explota” combines new wave and traditional Latin American sounds in an extremely creative way, making it one of their most popular songs. For impressive guitar skills and a killer riff, “Afuera” is a certified banger. Personally, my favorite song of theirs – due to its powerful, inspirational lyrics and sound – is “Antes De Nos Olviden.” Nonetheless, any song you hear from Caifanes will feature powerful vocals, beautiful guitar, and a wonderful bass line accompanied by mesmerizing synths to keep you in a state of awe.
El Gran Silencio
Nobody, and I truly mean nobody, can combine traditional Mexican folk music along with rock quite like El Gran Silencio! The Monterey band put out some of the most creative and daring music of the late 90s and early 2000s, taking influence from hip-hop, corridos, rock, and cumbia. On paper, these genres should’nt go together. But something must’ve been in the air in Northern Mexico during this time. Listen to their music and it will make you question how one could hear a Folklorico song and a hip-hop track and combine the two.
Tracks like “Dormir Soñando” and “Mitote” showcase the powerful imagination of the group, putting impressively fast rap bars over the sounds of accordion and classical guitars. “Dejenme Si Estoy Llorando” is a powerful, fun track that makes you realize that it was possible to combine nu metal with accordion. If their songs don’t have you dancing your ass off, like “Chuntaros Style,” they’ll have you moshing like an animal, like “Riot” or “Super Riddim Internacional.” While never the most commercially successful here in the U.S., El Gran Silencio still found success in Mexico and has made a great name for themselves.
Victimas del Doctor Cerebro
If I was asked who the most underrated band of all time was, my answer would be Victimas del Doctor Cerebro. They check off almost every one of my interests: punk, metal, horror, industrial, and horn instruments. Victimas have it all. A spooky identity accompanied by songs with silly, yet haunting lyrics and killer riffs played by horns or guitar. They are rowdy and talented, and they can still put on a hell of a live show with over 30 years under their belt.
Like this Desde Latinoamerica series, Victimas has music spanning across all kinds of genres.
For ska-heads looking for murderous tales of cannibalism, “La Tamalera” is just for you. Disco-inspired songs like “Bello y Deforme” and “Diablo Adentro” will give you the dilemma of deciding whether to headbang or dance. Simple rock and roll enjoyers can jam out to songs like “No Hay Rock and Roll” or “Sobre Natural.” For those who can’t get enough horror, “Rock from the Cryp,” “Halloween,” and “Nahual” are sure to scratch the spooky itch. “El Esqueleto,” arguably their most popular song, is an anthemic track that has solidified its legacy in rock en español music.
For the most part, Victimas del Doctor Cerebro are really only known for their one-song “El Esqueleto.” Obviously they have a lot of fans, but in the grand scheme of rock music in Latin America, they do not get the credit they deserve for being an innovative band. Their horror imagery elevates their music, and their masterful incorporation of multiple genres is definitely worthy of respect. Having seen them live a few times, it surprises me that a group like this never got huge. Nonetheless, they always turn the energy up to eleven when performing live. Victimas are criminally underrated, and they deserve so much more recognition.