Man, I've been lucky in the concert department lately. The latest band to blow my musical mind is Piñata Protest. I originally heard of them on one of my favorite podcasts, NPR's Alt Latino. Their cover of an oldie-but-a-goodie "Volver, Volver" was like nothing else I've ever heard.
Piñata Protest fuses the best of punk rock and norteño/traditional Mexican music, thereby creating one of my new favorite genres of music. It makes me nostalgic, it makes me want to rock out, it makes me want to learn the accordion.
I got to check them out at Reggies Rock Club in Chicago, and was not disappointed. They totally rocked their set, and I stalked, er—waited to meet the lead singer—Alvaro Del Norte after their show. He was sweet and incredibly friendly. I geeked out and asked him for a photo (see left). I want to be his friend. That's not creepy, right? :)
I hope they come back to Chicago, I'd love for them to get more exposure in a city that would absolutely embrace this cross-cultural sound.
Check out my favorite Piñata Protest song, "Volver, Volver" below. I'm sure you're like me and used to hearing this song sung by tipsy uncles at weddings, but you must listen to their version of it.