David MonnichPiñata Protest with La Resistencia and The Do-Its
06/08/2013
The Satellite hosted San Antonio norteño punk outfit Piñata Protest's album release show Saturday night. South Gate skacore band La Resistencia and L.A.'s The Do-Its joined them on the bill for what turned out to be a rowdy time. The club's intimate space and hypnotic lighting helped create an atmosphere akin to an '80s grunge club, and the deafening sounds of electric guitars, horns and accordion permeated the air. Despite the half capacity turn out, each band captured the audience's attention in their own peculiar way.
The Do-Its; Credit: David Monnich
The Do-Its — in their own words, “10 legs and a throat” — played a visceral brand of garage rock, channeling 1960's R&B through the raw, modern esthetic of groups like The Black Lips and The Fiery Furnaces. They opened up the show sans lead singer Boy Toy, who jumped onstage for “Bring It On,” and assumed the role as the group's prankster drill leader. Over the course of their set, she played trumpet, threw plastic hand clappers into the crowd, and playfully harassed the night's other two bands. Lead guitarist The Peacock and drummer Stix (“on sticks”) helped the band delve further into controlled anarchy. They even incorporated elements of punk and klezmer on “Blue Balls Surf.”
Claudio of La Resistencia; Credit: David Monnich
Most folks came primarily for the second act, La Resistencia. The seven piece ska ensemble has released only a few albums, but have had a loyal following for over ten years. (Their headlining shows at Southern California ska and reggae festivals are notoriously wild.) A similar atmosphere ensued on Saturday; the band rarely took time between songs and their transitions between hardcore and reggae had the crowd skanking. The three piece horn section was especially on point, guiding the band's melodies and bringing the noise to a near piercing level. Although La Resistencia has an album set for release later this year (unnamed as of yet), they mainly drew on their established material, to which the crowd yelled along.
Piñata Protest; Credit: David Monnich
After La Resistencia's 45 minute set, Piñata Protest manned the stage. Alvaro Del Norte, the band's lead singer and acordeonista, wailed on the traditional norteño instrument. His black cowboy hat betrayed the group's South Texas origins, and he gave an obligatory shout-out to the Spurs as well.
The group opened their set with a chopped and screwed recording, which hailed them as “los mas chingones de la musica norteño punk“, a genre they seem to have created. This unique fusion moved the crowd to a head banging frenzy, which persisted until the night's close. Punk renditions of “La Cucaracha” and “Volver Volver” especially struck a chord. The group hammered through 20 songs, leaving the crowd exhausted.
This was the second tour stop for Piñata Protest in support of their new album, El Valiente. Pairing the young South Texas band with La Resistencia and its loyal following was a smart move by The Satellite. As Piñata Protest heads down the road on their southwest and west coast tour, we predict big things.
Personal Bias: I'm a San Antonio raised tejano music lover
The Crowd: Rockeros
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