Stream: Mariachi El Bronx, ‘Música Muerta, Vol. 1 & 2’

Kevin Bronson on May 5th, 2020

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Mariachi El Bronx (Photo by Morgen Schuler)

Back in 2006, a fledgling outlet called Fuel TV asked L.A. hardcore punk quintet the Bronx to do a live segment. There was one problem: At the time, Fuel TV hosted only acoustic performances, and the Bronx, who had just released their second album, were paint-peeling loud. So, part act of defiance and part joke, the band showed up and did a hastily arranged mariachi version of their single “Dirty Leaves.”

There began one of the more remarkable cross-pollination stories in rock history. Mariachi El Bronx was born.

Core members Matt Caughthran, Joby J. Ford, Brad Magers and Ken Horne have juggled a dual existence ever since. (Drummer Jorma Vik was along for the ride, too, until he departed in 2017 to play with Eagles of Death Metal.) The Bronx has a catalog of five full-lengths, a live album and 2019’s B-sides, rarities and covers collection “Dead Tracks.” The eight-member Mariachi El Bronx had three albums plus a live collection — until today’s surprise Cinco de Mayo release of “Música Muerta.”

Like the Bronx’s equally untrue-to-its-name 2019 collection, “Muerta” is a lively double-LP featuring 10 previously unreleased tracks, covers of Prince, Bob Dylan, the Byrds and Roy Orbison, some live recordings and even a couple TV themes. Yes, “Dirty Leaves,” the song that started it all, is there. Mariachi El Bronx might have started as something of a joke, but the band’s authenticity and devotion to the form has never been questioned, and the first single “Loteria” is more evidence of that.

The video for “Loteria” is a montage of photos and live footage from MEB’s long career.

||| Watch: The video for “Loteria”