Posted on November 26, 2009 - by Editor

Mariachi el Bronx + Jaakko and Jay

Mariachi el Bronx

Islington Academy
London, UK
Monday 23rd November 2009

Convinced to go along and buy tickets for the show after failing to secure a legitimate pass and based on a friends recommendation I managed to enjoy a few drinks before heading into the Islington Academy, as I wasn’t really sure what to expect. I know of The Bronx, and am pretty sure I have seen them play their hardcore punk rock before but the Mariachi alter ego of the band was a concept that could easily go one of two ways.

The place was actually pretty busy, far busier than I expected, especially for a Monday night. On stage, two man Finnish act Jaakko and Jay consisting of guitar and drum (literally, one bass drum and snare) but ferocious and impassioned and funny, the crowd seemed to have already warmed to their Finnish ways. With humour that gets lost in translation, and a slightly crazed look on the duo, who are partially hippy but part punk in appearance, their songs are surprisingly good and easily invoke a grin and a warm appreciation from a  crowd that is usually more attuned to a hardcore show. In between throwing away free copies on the bands album and walking to and fro across the stage, they genuinely are a good and fun and yes slightly odd pairing. So with duo punk/folk Finnish band ticked off, next up the usually hardcore band as a Mariachi cover act.

This diversion of the The Bronx has been in the making for a couple of years, and the expanded line-up has been touring in support of the Mariachi collective through the year after the release of the bands self titled release, a band trait.  They have obviously replaced their aggressive testosterone punk rock with softer, well, Mariachi styled songs, and enter the stage unformed in all their studded charro outfit splendour, some mustached and others visibly inebriated.

With jarana, guitar, requinto romantic, horns and percussion, they look great and the true test in their sound doesn’t disappoint either. Frontman Matt Caughthran looking bemused and tipsy seems completely at ease with his tender vocal range in this setup and is a captivating singer backed by gently swaying arrangements with the musicianship undoubtedly talented and each member keeping in character calmly playing their guitar twangs, horns and  frantic bass & drum rhythms. The added violin section and brightly and uplifting trumpet added a delicate flavour and all through the rather bizarre performance, there is a sweet and meaningful side to this strange alter ego.

I think many would have thought he Mariachi project might be a bit of a wasted but fun indulgence, much as The Gimmes super group cover pop, R&B and Broadway in their own unique party way but Mariachi el Bronx focus on the generic themes of love and loss true to the Mariachi way and in doing so seem incredibly sincere and romantic and still fun.

And that is what I enjoy about the project and the night, the venue is truly packed by the shows end, hardcore fans, skins, hawks, all happily swaying and dancing to the Mexican fused rumblings of a punk band having fun. And it’s good. Cue sombreros, Martgueritas and sun and the night is a bit of surreal escapism from the menacing forthcoming London Winter. Thoroughly entertaining, well crafted and enjoyable, I hope there is more to come.