'It's Scary Being Outsiders Of A Genre.'

Doing something off-kilter has always been a way to blow off steam for LA hardcore punks The Bronx. Since 2003, the loveable genre stalwarts have regaled us with short, snappy, blistering ditties. So in 2009, after three killer Bronx albums were unleashed and loved, the five-piece made a huge left turn with Mariachi El Bronx, their festive Mexican counterpart that immediately tapped into a fresh take on a traditional sound.

But after two albums of mariachi gems, singer Matt Caughthran says it was time to step things up a notch for their third, Mariachi El Bronx III, and take the music and the lyrics beyond what he admits was at first an exploration and expedition away from the punk rock side of things.

“Yeah it’s a darker record, you know,” Caughthran admits. “I think there’s more reflection lyrically, musically we did a bit of experimenting with different layers and samples. So it was about doing things differently and to open up to show a different artistic side.”

The affable frontman says their third for Mariachi El Bronx was the hardest to get off the ground following the release of The Bronx IV.

“Going into the third El Bronx album, it was a tough transition for me personally; it took a bit of time to sink into the record,” Caughthran says. “And the music was coming out a lot darker this time around and I could feel it was going to be tough to kind of match that and write into it. I was dreading it to be honest with you. (The guys) were sending me six or seven songs that I hadn’t even started on yet. But I was able to do it and it kind of opened it up and gave it what I think is our best record.”

What Matt believes is their best was aided in no small part by heading to Dave Matthews’ farm to record, where, this time around, they chucked out the rulebook and fused a bunch of sequencers with traditional melodies, and by inviting mariachi harpist Willie Acuna and DJ Bonebrake of Eyes and X to work their magic. However, having such talent on board was daunting.

“Fuck yeah, it’s scary because it’s still a genre that we’re outsiders in!” Caughthran laughs. “It’s our take on a style of music and with this record we branched out even further. But that’s what keeps you motivated, what keeps you inspired and what keeps you going after you’ve been doing it for twelve years.

“We’ve kind of accepted that this is our lot; we are two bands. And that’s the way it’s going to be so we just go back and forth whenever it feels right.”