{"id":235314,"date":"2026-05-18T14:30:51","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/235314\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T14:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T14:30:51","slug":"live-review-photos-mariachi-el-bronx-sydney-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/235314\/","title":{"rendered":"Live Review + Photos: Mariachi El Bronx, Sydney 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Bronx \/ Polish Club \/ Pounded By The Surf
Manning Bar, Sydney 02\/11\/2016
Review: David James Young\u00a0| Gallery:\u00a0Peter Zaluzny<\/p>\n

It says a lot about the headliner\u2019s faith in their own abilities that, tonight, they ostensibly open for themselves. For those not in the know, Pounded By The Surf<\/a> is an instrumental project starring The Bronx<\/a>\u2019s Joby Ford [guitars], Ken Horne [guitars] and Brad Magers [bass] joined by The Drips<\/a>\u2019 Vincent Hidalgo on drums. It throws them in the deep end of soundtrack-ready surf rock \u2013 stylish, sharp, and a whole lot of fun to watch. Ford and co. clearly have a deep-cut passion for the genre\u2019s history, and to watch them enact it live is a treat for both the ears and for the dancing shoes.<\/p>\n

They\u2019re followed in quick succession by Polish Club<\/a>, who have cemented a reputation as one of Sydney\u2019s hardest-working bands. That\u2019s not just an indication of their touring ethic, either \u2013 the blues-tinged duo power through urgent, howling stompers with the wallop of bands twice their size. Drummer John-Henry Pajak hits the kit so damn hard he knocks over a cymbal stand twice within the first two songs. \u201cMy House\u201d, \u201cBeeping\u201d, and the romantic threats of \u201cDon\u2019t Fuck Me Over\u201d are highlights, but bonus points also have to be dished out for a ripping cover of The Saints<\/a>\u2018 \u201c(I\u2019m) Stranded\u201d.<\/p>\n

The double-life of The Bronx and Mariachi El Bronx<\/a> is one of the more fascinating contrasts in contemporary rock music, yet when the octet launches into \u201cRight Between the Eyes\u201d, it makes just as much sense as when The Bronx launched into \u201cHeart Attack American\u201d less than a week ago. Matt Caughthran is all sizzle and saunter, grinning from ear to ear as he croons through selections from all three of the band\u2019s self-titled albums. \u201c48 Roses\u201d is all melodrama and fanfare; \u201cHoly\u201d sees the packed audience convert into an impromptu choir, and \u201cRevolution Girls\u201d scores perhaps the most rousing reception of the evening.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s especially a treat tonight to have the Hidalgo brothers performing together: the aforementioned Vincent has moved to guitarron, while The Bronx\u2019s fill-in drummer David Hidalgo Jr. provides percussion up the back. The siblings\u2019 father, David Hidalgo, is a founding member of perhaps the most famous mariachi act on the planet, Los Lobos<\/a>, so not only is there the usual Bronx-oriented entertainment factor, but there\u2019s also true heritage of the genre being represented and illuminated in what is a sadly-rare occasion.<\/p>\n

Between going toe-to-toe <\/a>with Violent Soho<\/a> in massive venues to having their tour manager propose to his partner on-stage at Melbourne\u2019s Gasometer Hotel, this has truly been one of the most eventful tours on either side of Caughthran and co\u2019s musical spectrum across their multiple visits to Australia. As the audience departs, shouting out the titular refrain of \u201cTequila\u201d as it plays over the PA, one can\u2019t imagine anyone would be leaving the venue unhappy. This is a show of high spirits, hearty singing and positive energy. It\u2019s a true blessing to be a part of it.<\/p>\n

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