Mexican Punk Band

October 1, 2004 6:43 AM

Name That Band: Mexican punk band featured on NPR two days ago (Wednesday); fun music aimed at kids, but kind of "anti-fairy tale" stuff with in-your-face references to corrupt police officers and politics and such, no mollycoddling whatsoever. Who are they? They're cool (and fun for adults too). Google and Search NPR are not helping.
posted by Shane to media & arts (14 comments total)

Any idea what show on NPR? (Morning Edition, Day to Day, All Things Considered...)

Or even what time it was on approximately? If you know what show it was, finding out should be easy.
posted by ALongDecember at 6:49 AM on October 1, 2004

This might help: they did some kind of a packaging concept they called an "Unhappy Meal" for kids. But that didn't help me on Google at all. I think one band member's name is Silva or something similar-sounding. Obviously I didn't catch the name of the band...
posted by Shane at 6:49 AM on October 1, 2004

I'm racking my brain, ALongDecember, but I think MAYBE it was between 5:00 and 6:00 p.m. EST. I'll try the NPR site again.

Really fun band! Bits of ska and other styles mixed in with hard guitars, and a cool message.

Re the corruption reference: If you've talked much with anyone from Mexico, you'll know they admit readily that they have probably more corruption than anywhere in the world. Most citizens call the cops only as a last last last resort (unless they're lucky enough to see a Federale, who I guess are okay and are easy to spot because they dress more nicely and care about their appearance and don't look like thugs.) Anyone can become a cop, and cops have to pay for their guns, cars, etc., effectively paying their way up to becoming someone who can shake down people for bribes, especially by pulling cars over in traffic. Politics ain't much better, just constant scandal and corruption.
posted by Shane at 6:56 AM on October 1, 2004

Are you sure it was an NPR show? Many public radio shows are actually produced by other groups like PRI. You might want to search their site as well.
posted by bcwinters at 8:11 AM on October 1, 2004

It wasn't Los Lonely Boys, was it? I think their names are Jojo, Henry and Ringo though. They're brothers. How many people were in the band, and were they all men?
posted by iconomy at 8:15 AM on October 1, 2004

Beautiful, bcwinters: Patita de Pero (Dog's Paw) on The World (PRI.)

Thanks to you too, LongWinter and iconomy! Check 'em out, there's an audio clip on that link above. "Nacho Silva " is the singer.
posted by Shane at 8:21 AM on October 1, 2004

Website here. MP3s, but they don't seem to e-sell discs, instead listing shops. Then again, my Spanish sucks.
posted by Shane at 8:46 AM on October 1, 2004

Wow that was quick! I'll definitely check this out.
posted by iconomy at 9:02 AM on October 1, 2004

near the end of the brown page, it says, if i've understood correctly:

if you want to buy in bulk, to sell in your store (place where you buy books to write in, pencils, paper etc - don't know an exact english translation), record shop, or to buy via the internet (my emphasis), contact:
fonarte latina s a de c v (like ltd co.)
calzada gral. anaya 55-2a col. san diego churubusco mexico df cp 04120
tel [phone] and 5689-0198
email [e-mail] and [e-mail].

remove NO-SPAM, obviously (they were in flash, i don't want to be responsible for putting their addys into spam lists).
posted by andrew cooke at 12:39 PM on October 1, 2004

Cool. Thanks Andrew! When I get around to buying a CD, I was anticipating making one of those awkward phone calls that begin something like "Hola -- you speak English?"
posted by Shane at 1:22 PM on October 1, 2004

incidentally, if you're looking for cool latin-lyrics music that is suitable for both children and adults, check out "31 minutos" (it's at amazon, i think) - music from a popular chilean tv show. it's more pop than punk, and aimed at younger children than this, but very good anyway.
posted by andrew cooke at 2:41 PM on October 1, 2004

andrew: libreria = bookstore.

Shane: here's a US site selling one of their albums.
posted by O9scar at 4:09 PM on October 1, 2004

libreria has a much wider meaning than what i understand by bookshop (i'm english, maybe bookstore in america is different). here (chile) at least it includes shops that sell stationery (in fact, that's what comes to mind first, although you're right that shops that sell printed books are called librerias too). "newsagent" is perhas the nearest i can think of, except that they don't sell newspapers...
posted by andrew cooke at 6:47 PM on October 1, 2004

T'anks, O9scar!
posted by Shane at 12:40 PM on October 2, 2004