Fun Fun Fun Fest Artist Profile: The Bronx
Friday, November 5 - Sunday, November 7
Waterloo Park (403 E. 15th)
Black Stage, Sunday @ 5:20pm
[info] | [tickets]
Also now known as Mariachi El Bronx, punk rock group The Bronx is full of contradictions. As of 2009, the band performs both their signature hardcore punk songs as well as traditional Western Mexico mariachi-inspired tunes at live shows - the genre-bending combination starts to make more sense upon learning that guitarist Joby J. Ford cites Black Flag and Los Lobos as their two biggest influences. According to Ford, even though The Bronx started out with hardcore punk, all the members loved Mariachi music and decided they had to learn the necessary instruments (think lots of strings and brass!) to make a record off the beaten punk path.
It also became obvious with The Bronx's third self-titled album that they were looking to defy standard expectations in all areas. Singer Matt Caughthran explained that the emphasis should be on Ford's intricate cover artwork (he was previously a graphic designer) instead of focusing on just a few cliche words that would make up an album title.
Another one of those inconsistencies dwells in the original band name - all of the members in The Bronx hail from Los Angeles, California. Playing off the East Coast-West Coast feud, the Cali band decided to name themselves after one of the most famous boroughs of New York.
Even with all of these apparent contradictions, The Bronx's love of music (including Lady Gaga!) is undeniably the driving factor behind everything that this band does. Be sure to elbow your way to the front of the crowd at the Black stage on Sunday evening at Fun Fun Fun Fest 2010 to soak up their energy, be it in punk or mariachi style!
