Mariachi El Bronx / Jakko and Jay
Glasgow Oran Mor (Wednesday November 18th)
What to expect when a well-respected hardcore punk band decides to perform as a mariachi group?
The crowd, it seems, doesn’t quite know. Some gentlemen at the back are fully embracing the novelty nature of Mariachi El Bronx – wearing
sombreros and Mexican wrestling masks.
There are the throngs of hardcore kids desperate to prove they’ve got a sense of humour. And the fans who don’t want to miss the band, no matter what form they’re in.
After an entertaining warm-up from Finnish acoustic hardcore duo (yup, seriously) Jakko and Jay, here they are – Mariachi El Bronx – in full
costume.
This is the first night of their headline tour but they sound as comfortable as they ever have when blasting out their usual fare.
And although it’s both amusing and bemusing in equal measures, this is no joke. What it proves is The Bronx can write a damn decent song; be
it hardcore, mariachi style or whatever.
The band has a chance to loosen up and show their skills on other instruments – most notably Brad Magers’ turn on the trumpet, which stands out on almost every song.
Vocalist Matt Caughtran announces: “This is such a good time for us” – and the grin on his face throughout makes that pretty evident.
They rip through the album and fill the gaps in the 45-minute slot with covers of Prince’s ‘I Would Die For You’ and Warren Zevon’s ‘Carmelita’ – which Caughtran apparently first heard during his GG
Allin obsession as a teen.
Their obvious joy makes it almost impossible to not have fun – and despite the fact they’ve exhausted the sole Mariachi El Bronx album,
there are still unanswered demands for an encore.
All in, the novelty of their new style doesn’t outstay its welcome, they play some excellent tunes and everybody has a good time. What
more can you expect of a band?
Elaine Liddle
