entertainment
A Bunch of Dudes from Texas Decided to Mix Norteño with Punk Rock
Meet the boys from San Antonio band Piñata Protest:
https://instagram.com/p/0d2-49vEdm/
Credit: @pinataprotest / Instagram
From left to right: JJ Martinez (drums), Marcus Cazares (bass), Alvaro Del Norte (accordion/lead vocals) and Jose Morales (guitar).
They’re a band that describes themselves as a bordertown mash-up of The Ramones…
Credit: @fansramones / Instagram
And Ramon Ayala.
Credit: @uncharrodice / Instagram
Sounds like they nailed it:
Credit: mitu / YouTube
So where’d they get the idea to mix punk rock with Norteñas? From lead singer Alvaro Del Norte.
https://instagram.com/p/jCf76bvEcO/
Credit: @pinataprotest / Instagram
Del Norte, who was raised in a conservative Catholic family, fell in love with Nirvana as a teen.
Credit: Sam / Geffen / YouTube
He says his “cool Uncle” passed him a copy of Nirvana’s Incesticde, which sparked his interest in rock music.
Del Norte also grew up listening to Norteñas – but he says he wasn’t a fan. He was a punk rocker through and through.
Credit: @pinataprotest / Instagram
But Del Norte says that as he grew older, he wanted to get back to his roots.
Credit: Fonovisa / beto / YouTube
Del Norte told NPR that one of the songs his father’s favorite songs was “La Jaula de Oro” by Los Tigres del Norte.
Del Norte decided to combine his love of punk rock and his newfound appreciation for Norteñas. So he learned to play accordion and started Piñata Protest.
View this post on InstagramAlvaro in Austin, TX a few years back. #tbt #muttonchops
A post shared by Piñata Protest (@pinataprotest) on
Credit: @pinataprotest / Instagram
With songs like “Campesino,” the band combines the social commentary of punk and the get-your-ass-up-and-dance vibe of Norteñas.
Credit: KRTU 91.7 / YouTube
Go to one of their shows, and you’ll find yourself listening to intense two-minute punk songs…
Credit: pinataprotest / YouTube
And covers of classic tracks like “Volver, Volver.”
Credit: Roxie Nicole / YouTube
And sometimes – just so you don’t forget it’s rock ‘n roll – a smashed accordion.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Piñata Protest (@pinataprotest) on
