Skip to main content

Pinata Protest Delivers the Punk

     San Antonio Tex-Mex punk band Piñata Protest returned to KIVA Lounge in downtown San Marcos this past Saturday night after a near seven month absence, and the crowd's enthusiasm showed. Known for their high energy performances, the band comprised of vocalist/accordionist Alvaro Del Norte, guitarist Regino Lopez, bassist Richie Brown, and drummer Chris-ruptive, blazed through a blistering hour-long set of exito after exito. working up the crowd of devoted "protestors" and never letting down. On the eve of releasing a new album entitled Necio Nights (out April 6) and embarking on a tour on Flogging Molly's Salty Dog Cruise, which will take them through the Caribbean, it is a pure treat seeing the band in smaller settings as you can be more involved in their special brand of norteno punk. Complimented by the ferocity of openers Destroy Orbison, Percocet, The Grim Folks and Sketchy Trench, the package was a non-stop party with a mix of all the punk one could handle. Sweaty crowds moshed, jumped, and sang along to Piñata Protest, even more so when they played iconic Mexican classics like "Volver, Volver" and "Tragos de Amargo Licor", at one point even inviting people onstage to partake in a tequila shot and mosh around. In short, if you enjoy high octane punk and regardless of whether you speak Spanish or not, Piñata Protest shows are one big, loving family and everyone is welcome to come on down.

photo: @mr_peefer

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Grim Folk: As Grim as It Gets

     San Antonio dark country/psychobilly band The Grim Folks have been taking the San Antonio music scene by storm, albeit in their own way. Not one to mix in with the rest, The Grim Folks deliver a fresh and exciting sound in a city obsessed with metal and Mexican regional music. It’s not to say they don’t fit the bill; simply, they aren’t the typical band you would expect to come across. That, however, is a damn good thing. At home with the punk and goth crowds, The Grim Folks play macabre songs inspired from “roots” Americana full of dark humor and superstitious folklore with an undisguised energy. They aren’t exclusive to particular crowds; they have a loose and inviting vibe anyone can enjoy.      “When it comes to writing lyrics, my influence is inspired by horror movies I watched as a kid or stories of the supernatural, “said Nathan Quintanilla, the band’s vocalist and rhythm guitarist. “That enticing feeling I get when seeing or hearin...

Depeche Mode, Peter Hook and The Light, A Place To Bury Strangers: Reviewed

     Depeche Mode brought their music to the masses and gave us a black celebration (whatever, sue me.) On the road promoting their 14 th studio album, Spirit , the iconic British electronic band presented their mega successful Global Spirit Tour May 27 one last time to American audiences with a sold-out appearance at the AT&T Center, flawlessly banging out their biggest hits and album-oriented material to an enthusiastic crowd of 15,000. The band, comprised of vocalist Dave Gahan, guitarist Martin Gore, keyboardists Andy Fletcher and Peter Gordeno and drummer Christian Eigner impeccably delivered song after song as they cataloged their entire career into an energetic two-hour set, proving why four decades after their debut they remain a vital presence. With deep running roots in San Antonio’s music scene, audiences excitedly sang and danced through the night. If their show and fan response was any strong indicator, they surely have another album and one final w...

She Past Away and their Anxiety Disco

     Turkish goths She Past Away are back with their third and long-awaited new album, Disko Anksiyete , a masterfully crafted blend of post-punk, dark wave and gothic rock (obviously). On Disko Anksiyete (Anxiety Disco in English), the duo comprised of guitarist/vocalist Volkan Caner and producer/keyboardist Doruk Ozturkan switch gears a bit and go into more pop structured/disco-y territory, but the band doesn’t completely abandon their typical sound. Easily their more accessible album, Disko is full of 80s cold wave/post-punk influence, alluding to the classic sounds of Joy Division and New Order. Caner displays unique musicianship and his singing is reminiscent of the Sisters of Mercy’s Andrew Eldritch, while Ozturkan’s keyboard washes and production are crisp, polished and solid. photo: rockallphotography.com      In comparison to their previous releases, debut Belirdi Gece and the sophomoric Narin Yalnızlık , both phenomenal albums, Disk...