Rock music in Mexico has an esteemed tradition. Influenced by numerous cultures, this genre has flourished into distinct styles of rock music that has also served to combat political oppression.
Los Dug Dug’s blended rock with Latin beats while Nahuatl and Three Souls in My Mind used an experimental sound.
Enjambre
Enjambre has made waves in the rock music scene over the past decade, delighting audiences in Mexico and the US alike with its eclectic style incorporating influences from different genres of music. Their latest release “Imperfecto Extrano” showcases metal guitar riff sounds and infectious melodies with Latin flare, while boasting strong vocal harmonies which captivate listeners.
Luis Humberto Navejas Diaz, one of the quintet’s eldest brothers, has said that the band isn’t about music per se – rather, they connect with people through it. Their music reflects this philosophy and has attracted an impressively wide following since “Daltonico,” their debut album from 2010, was released and reached beyond just underground circles; an important step in their success story.
Live performances by this band are lively and captivating. Their lyrics elicit powerful emotions in listeners, as the band has performed at some of Mexico’s most prestigious events and received multiple awards such as nominations for three Univision Premios Lo Nuestro awards and performance at some of Mexico’s biggest music festivals.
2025 will see Mexico and U.S. tours by this popular band to sold-out audiences. Their unique sound and thought-provoking lyrics have garnered them an enthusiastic following; with their tour set to enthrall fans more than ever! Each show will showcase classic hits alongside new material plus bring seven musicians as an ensemble which brings extra dimension to performances.
Los Caifances
Caifanes were one of the quintessential Mexican rock groups of the 80s and ’90s, pioneering a new era of Rock En Espanol along with Mana, Fobia, Maldita Vecindad Cafe Tacuba La Lupita to bring it into wider popular consciousness.
Caifances originated as Las Insolitas Imagenes de Aurora in 1984 as a side project for performing at parties. Their early look, featured on their 1988 self-titled debut album cover, borrowed heavily from gothic rock of that era such as The Cure.
El Nervio became an instant hit upon its release and quickly rose through the ranks of success. Their second album, El Nervio was an impressive triumph that showcased their unique sound: mixing British New Wave and progressive rock influences with Latin percussion and lyrics by Hernandez exploring both social themes as well as indigenous mysticism. One of their signature tracks “Aqui No Es Asi,” may have been seen by some as criticism against Eurocentric values that marginalized more indigenous cultures.
Due to the success of their album, they toured extensively. Selling out stadiums and large venues across Mexico and Latin America, and becoming regulars on Latin MTV and Rock en Espanol radio. Even playing Rolling Stones gigs in 1994 was no small feat! Even today they remain one of Mexico’s premier rock acts; unquestionably one of its most influential bands in Mexican music history.
Los Dug Dug’s
Armando Nava and Los Dug Dug’s self-titled debut (1971) was recorded after their trip to New York City failed to bring stardom as promised – which resulted in brilliant song writing that expressed both their pain and disappointment through stunning song writing. Influenced by The Beatles and Jethro Tull, their album boasted heavy-duty fuzz guitar sounds with melodic flourishes that left an indelible mark on listeners.
After serving as the house band at Tijuana strip joint Fantasitas for an extended period, Los Dug Dug’s relocated to Mexico City in 1966. Due to ongoing personnel changes, and creative differences between band leaders Nava and Jorge de la Torre resulting in de la Torre’s resignation; Los Dug Dug’s were in essence no more.
Lion Productions presents a newly remastered edition of this groundbreaking 1972 album entirely performed in Spanish – at the turn of the seventies, Mexican bands had started singing songs in English; but Nava and his trio refused to conform and instead sang exclusively in Spanish. Nava created his album under self-imposed house arrest for fifteen days, creating an album which blends hard rock with progressive elements. Highlights of “Smog”, an opening track featuring revving engines and dirty urban landscape, is followed by “Hagomoslo Ahora”, with its punchy guitar riffs and flute reminiscent of cancer smoke that Nava describes (in Spanish instead of the usual English singing trend) — it sounds like Black Sabbath on speed!
Los Dug Dug’s (originally Xippos Rock) are widely considered one of the most significant rock bands in Mexico despite having had only four years at their creative apex. Over that time they produced work which balances combustibility with delicacy like few can. Their influence can be felt far beyond Mexican borders as seen through Rock en Espaol disciples such as El Tri, as well as contemporary outfits who draw upon global psychedelia such as High Fidelity Orchestra, Morgan Delt Dungen King Gizzard and Lizard Wizard amongst many others.
Los Hooligans
Los Hooligans are a Mexican rock music group who have amassed an enthusiastic following across Mexico with their unique blend of ska-jazz music. Recognized for its lively rhythms, catchy melodies, and expert musicianship, Los Hooligans sound recalls traditional Jamaican Ska and Reggae while drawing influences from modern jazz genres as well as having original songs guaranteed to get people dancing!
This Mexican rock group formed in Tijuana, Mexico in 1961 and have performed at various venues nationwide ever since. Renowned for their high energy performances and multiple film and TV show soundtrack appearances, their songs have inspired generations of Mexican rock musicians.
As part of their performance at Mexico’s Woodstock Festival (Festival de Avandaro), which included English lyrics initially. However, due to changing attitudes regarding rock music and wanting to appeal to a wider audience, they decided to switch over to Spanish lyrics during their performance at this festival – another strategy designed to avoid labeling themselves as American musicians who did not belong in Mexico.
As the hippie movement faded c. 1973, only a handful of rock bands survived in the rock scene and many were forced to perform in hoyos fonquis or street parties instead of rock concerts. Of those that remained, Three Souls (later El Tri) managed to maintain an enormous fan base while performing exclusively in Spanish.
Although Mexico’s rock era was brief, its legacy includes fantastic bands and films like Amor A Ritmo De Go-Go which showcases some of its best rock bands from that era.
Los Rebeldes del Rock
Los Rebeldes del Rock was formed in 1958 as one of the pioneer groups to perform rock in Spanish, translating contemporary English songs into Spanish for their hits such as “La Hiedra Venenosa” (Poison Ivy by The Coasters). At first, this band consisted of Polo Tena (guitar and vocals), Americo Tena (guitar/vocals), Waldo (guitar), Milo Flores on bateria, Oscar Salinas as singer/seconda guitarra as well as Valente Hernandez bassist Valente Hernandez bassist and Francisco Dominguez on guitar teclado. Later Johnny Laboriel joined to pursue solo projects before leaving to pursue solo opportunities of his own solo projects.
At the height of the hippie movement, rock music became an emblematic expression of rebellion against patriarchal political authority and an invaluable vehicle to foster Latin American youth movements; several bands managed to gain prominence during this period.
At the end of the decade, many bands suffered due to inadequate support from the music industry. When hippie culture subsided, many bands moved away from rock towards more progressive sounds that incorporated jazz and blues influences; some even achieved international renown.
In Mexico’s 2000’s has witnessed a revitalization of rock music. A new wave of indie and alternative artists emerged including Motel, Reik, Allison Panda Division Minuscula Hello Seahorse! and Zoe who have all enjoyed success touring alongside American indie bands while garnering widespread acclaim both domestically and abroad; many are credited with revitalizing Mexico’s rock scene.