The Bronx (band)

The Bronx is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California, originally formed in 2002. The band's current line-up consists of vocalist Matt Caughthran, guitarists Joby J. Ford and Ken Horne, bass guitarist Brad Magers, and drummer Joey Castillo. The band have released five studio albums, as well as three additional albums of mariachi music under the moniker of Mariachi El Bronx.

The Bronx
The Bronx performing on the Warped Tour in Chula Vista, California on August 14, 2008. Left to right: Joby J. Ford, Matt Caughthran, Jorma Vik, Brad Magers, and Ken Horne.
Background information
Also known asMariachi El Bronx
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active2002–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitethebronxxx.com
Members
Past members

History

The initial lineup of The Bronx consisted of Caughthran, Ford, bassist James Tweedy, and drummer Jorma Vik.[1] At their first performance they impressed Jonathan Daniel, manager of American Hi-Fi, who became their manager; and as early as their second show had attracted the attention of A&R representatives from major record labels.[1] After only twelve live performances the band signed a contract with the Island Def Jam Music Group.[1] However, feeling as though they were not yet ready to record for a major label, the band opted to form their own label, White Drugs, to put out their first few releases.[1] They recorded a demo entitled Sure Death in 2002, followed by their first single "Bats!" in 2003. Their debut album The Bronx was released in August 2003. It was produced by Gilby Clarke (Guns N' Roses) and recorded in his kitchen. This was followed by an EP, La Muerte Viva, that November. To support the album, singles and music videos were released for the songs "They Will Kill Us All (Without Mercy)" and "False Alarm". The band toured the United States and Australia in support of the album. In Australia, the band's performance at the Annandale Hotel in Sydney was filmed, later released as the DVD Live at the Annandale.

The Bronx's major-label debut was The Bronx (2006), a second eponymous album that was supported by singles and music videos for "History's Stranglers", "White Guilt" and "Shitty Future". Ken Horne of The Dragons played some guitar parts on the album, and soon joined the band as second guitarist.

In April 2007, the band announced that they would record two new albums. The Bronx was planned as a punk rock album, while Mariachi El Bronx would be a mariachi album.[2] They entered a recording studio in March 2008 to begin work on both albums, with Brad Magers (formerly of Christiansen and Your Highness Electric) replacing Tweedy on bass guitar, and Vincent Hidalgo (formerly of The Drips) also joining Mariachi El Bronx.[3] That June they posted the new song "Knifeman", from The Bronx, on their Myspace profile,[4] followed by the premiere of "PR Rules" from El Bronx.[5] During summer 2008, The Bronx played the entirety of the Warped Tour.[6] They also appeared in the film What We Do Is Secret as Black Flag, performing the Black Flag song "Police Story".[7] Beginning with preparations for the release of El Bronx, the band has performed as "Mariachi El Bronx" when playing their mariachi set and as "The Bronx" for rock sets.[7] The Bronx was released on November 11, 2008,[8] with El Bronx following on August 17, 2009. The band toured North America, followed by a festival performance in the United Kingdom. A second album of mariachi music, Mariachi El Bronx, was released in August 2011.

Several members of the band also appear on the debut EP by Armistice, a Canadian indie pop band consisting of Coeur de pirate and Jay Malinowski.[9]

In 2012, Mariachi El Bronx collaborated with rapper Schoolly D for the theme song to Adult Swim's show Aqua Something You Know Whatever.[10]

Mariachi El Bronx currently perform between segments on the El Rey Network wrestling programme Lucha Underground.

On June 26, 2016, drummer Jorma Vik announced his departure from both The Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx.[11] He was replaced by David Hidalgo, Jr., who also plays with Mariachi El Bronx.

In June 2017, the band's Facebook page was updated with the album art for V, the fifth studio album by the band. A teaser was uploaded to the page the following month. The album is the first studio album of their career not to be named The Bronx or Mariachi El Bronx. It was released on September 22, 2017.

In 2018, Hidalgo, Jr. was replaced in The Bronx by former Queens of the Stone Age drummer Joey Castillo. Hidalgo, Jr. remains a member of Mariachi El Bronx.

Band members

Current members
  • Matt Caughthran – vocals (2002–present)
  • Joby J. Ford – guitar, backing vocals (2002–present)
  • Ken Horne – guitar, backing vocals (2006–present)
  • Brad Magers – bass guitar, backing vocals (2007–present)
  • Joey Castillo – drums (2018–present)

Past members
  • James Tweedy – bass guitar, backing vocals (2002–2007)
  • Jorma Vik – drums (2002–2016)
  • David Hidalgo, Jr. – drums (2016–2018)
  • Vincent Hidalgo - live guitar (2018)

Timeline

Discography
Main article: The Bronx discography

Albums

References
  1. Steininger, Alex (September–October 2003). "Interview: The Bronx". In Music We Trust. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  2. "The Bronx: News". thebronxxx.com. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2008-10-01. We have begun working on 2 albums worth of material. We will be making 2 different records this time... (and yet both will still be self titled). Record No. 1 will be mariachi music (El Bronx). Record No. 2 will be dead punk (The Bronx) Both go well with hot sauce, but yet each has a different bouquet. We are aiming for an end of summer release date. Nasty!
  3. "The Bronx: News". thebronxxx.com. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  4. "Media: The Bronx: "Knifeman"". punknews.org. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  5. "The Bronx: "PR Rules"". punknews.org. 2008-06-23. Retrieved 2008-06-30.
  6. "Warped Tour unveils final band lineup for 2008". punknews.org. 2008-02-06. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  7. "The Bronx: News". thebronxxx.com. 2008-08-20. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  8. "The Bronx News - Without The Bronx, I'd be dead or in jail!". idiomag. 2008-10-14. Retrieved 2008-10-14.
  9. "Bedouin Soundclash's Jay Malinowski + Coeur De Pirate + El Bronx = Armistice". chartattack.com, January 12, 2011.
  10. Let The Whatever Begin - Adult Swim Video (accessed July 15, 2012)
  11. "Jorma Vik". Facebook.com. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
  12. "Mariachi El Bronx III - Available Now!". Mariachielbronx.com. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
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