Son Rompe Pera is the Gogol Bordello of cumbia; the essence of cumbia punk. You’ve heard marimbas before, and garage rock, and cumbia. But here is a new genre of music from Mexico City that did not exist before this band did: garage-marimba-cumbia-punk. Think of the Misfits with cha-cha-cha and psychedelia – More danceable but equally punk. A pan-Latin psychobilly that must be seen live.

The three Gama brothers grew up playing the folkloric marimba with their father, often busking with him on the streets from morning to evening. It’s a remarkable story – working class musicians growing up in a folk tradition who, through raw creativity and punk spirit, dismantled this inherited sound and reinvented it through the vehicle of cumbia. Their music and style brings in an audience as wide-ranging as working-class Mexicans, global music lovers, and young hipsters.

By now you’ve probably seen Son Rompe Pera at one of our other events – perhaps at Barbès in the Woods, or Millpond.Live, or at a Bombyx concert. (we think they’re one of the best live bands going right now). They’ve quickly built a rabid following in the Valley. Get your year started right when they return to The Drake this January.

Peace & Rhythm DJs Bongohead and REC spin a cumbia afterparty following their set.