Artist The Bronx

Every band has a hidden alter ego, some secret side of itself just waiting for the opportunity to come out if given the chance. Weezer had Goat Punishment, its Nirvana cover-band side; Devo had the super-creepy Dove (The Band Of Love); Los Angeles quartet The Bronx has Mariachi El Bronx. Without the dreadnoughts and sombreros, the L.A. rioters blend the best bits of straightforward rock with the rabid intensity of hardcore, as heard on three solid and scathing self-titled releases since 2003. Its latest, last year's Mariachi El Bronx, feels just as honest and pure, but considerably more packed with joyous flourishes and festive finger plucks. 

Updated 03/05/2010