July 11, 2006

‘Verano Alternativo’ Showcase Offers Hot Latin Sounds

BMI and Mun2, the bilingual, multiplatform youth entertainment cable network, will present "Verano Alternativo" on Thursday, July 27 at the Knitting Factory (7021 Hollywood Blvd.). The showcase will feature BMI Latin alternative rock acts La Pestilencia, Fronteras, Moktezoom, Maneja Beto and Crisantes. Doors open at 8 p.m. for 18 and over only; tickets are $10.

La Pestilencia (the Pestilence), the Colombian punk quintet that blends heavy metal, hard-core and punk, gave way for a new sound in their homeland and across Latin America in the mid 80s. Their latest effort, Productos Desaparecidos (Lost Products) under the umbrella of Mercury Records, was produced by Mark Needham (The Killers). They've also shared the stage with Metallica, Molotov, Café Tacuba and Sepultura, among others.

Fronteras, the 2005 winner of the "Budweiser Battle of the Bands," is back and gaining momentum with "Bendito Amor," their first single off their new album, Que Tiene La Vida. Born and bred in Palm Springs, the band is turning heads with their robust percussions, energetic Kenas and electric violin accents.

Maneja Beto, the Austin-based quintet that fuses Mexican folk, rock, Brit pop and emo with politically conscience lyrics, is here and ready to take the West Coast by storm. Celebrated in their home town by press and fans alike, the band now comes west to show L.A. how to do it Texas style.

Moktezoom, the L.A. indie rock kids that started their musical career in 2002, are giving alternative rock a new meaning. The self-described "alternative to the alternative [rock]" promises a collection of rock sounds that is truly experimental, eclectic, poppy and of course, fun.

Produced by Grammy-nominated producer/composer Carlos Murguia and mixed by eight-time Grammy winner Benny Faccone, Crisantes' self-titled new album is a recipe for success. Don't believe it? Just ask Despierta America, CNN En Español, LATV, Boom Magazine, Yahoo M?sica, Mun2 and many others who have already caught wind of this new pop-rock force, described as the "Latin American John Mayer."