I can still remember going up the steps of the Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City on my way to the cheap seats on the very top to see La Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio. It is a core memory, transfixed in my mind.
Seeing a band live takes the experience of listening to their music to a different level. With La Maldita, the shorter version of their name, the moment I heard them play songs from their first album “El Circo,” it left an indelible impression that would take me deeper into the world of rock en español and specifically, Mexican rock.
Even now, every time I hear “Un Gran Circo” with its sample recordings of Mexico City street vendors, my Chilango heart feels at home.
La Maldita has been bringing the sounds of Mexico and Latin America to the U.S. for decades, and on September 26, they will perform with Molotov, another iconic Mexican band, at the Shrine Auditorium.
CALÓ News spoke to La Maldita’s lead singer Rocco over the phone about this upcoming concert.
“We’re very happy to go back to Los Angeles to this great celebration of peace and dance,” Rocco said as he prepared to perform in Tecolutla, Veracruz at the Costa Esmeralda Fest, performing along with Myke Towers, La Tremenda Korte, Yandel and more.
This year’s visit will not be part of their 40th-year celebration, which will be next year, which Rocco said will be very important. But they are planning to present special songs for their upcoming presentation.
Rocco said the vibe in California is different from Mexico because, “In Califas, there is a nostalgic vibe of identifying with roots. People show up as pachucos, with luchador masks, with flags, for two hours you’re in Mexico or another place in Latin America. It’s a revindication of the cultural and spiritual territory.”
The rock scene has changed, according to Rocco, to be much more peaceful. In the 80s, he recounted, the police would try to intervene and it would create more violence. “All our message is exactly so that doesn’t happen,” Rocco said. “Mexican rock has gained a space of union and peace.”
The scene has expanded to include hip-hop, reggae, ska and electronic music. The La Maldita singer commented on new bands that are carrying the scene, forward like Rompe Pera with their cumbia punk mix, Los Cogelones with punk Mexica and Legend Medicina Sonica.
La Maldita Vecindad and Molotov are performing at the Shrine Expo Hall on Thursday, September 26, 2024, at 8 pm.
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