In the forwarding of Ernesto Lechner’s 2006 book, Rock en Español: The Latin Alternative Rock Explosion, Lechner explains how the rock groups coming out of Latin America in the 1990’s helped change his outlook on Latin Rock. Growing in Argentina, Ernesto had a bias against Latin American musicians hell-bent on imitating their Anglo counterparts. However, it was groups like Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, Café Tacvba and Gustavo Cerati that showed him that Latin Rock had more to offer the world of music than sheer imitation: these artists had something to say.

In the mid-nineties I had a similar revelation. My friend Juan Carlos educated me on the music of the groups that I no knowledge of growing up in the states. It was instant love for me when he played me Maldita Vecindad, Fabulosos Cadillacs and Mano Negra, all of whom sang about issues that related directly to my life: songs about not belonging, of immigration and the effects of colonialism that affects indigenous people to this day. One of my favorite groups of this era was Todos Tus Muertos.

For one, I grew up as a huge fan of The Bad Brains and there were many similarities between the two bands. Todos were a rock band at heart, with excellent musicianship that  meant they could play both heavy and fast. Then much like The Bad Brains, they could switch gears and play Reggae. Todos Tus Muertos (translation: All Your Dead) were energetic singers. Pablo and Fidel were both black. But that is where their likeness ends. Todos were Dancehall based compared to The Bad Brains’ Roots Reggae style. Also Todos would add elements of other Latin music like Cuban Son. Lyrically, Todos were leftist, influenced by both Latin American & Jamaican icons such as Che Guevara, Augusto Sandino, Emiliano Zapata, Marcus Garvey and Subcomandante Marcos.

Dear Paquita La Del Barrio,

So last night you lost out on a Grammy to Pepe Aguilar. He is a son of privilege. Daddy is Antonio Aguilar and mom is Flor Silvestre. He was born in the states. You born in Vera Cruz. Your first husband cheated on you and all your songs reflect that pain of what good-for-nothing-men do to women. All of Mexico's daughters love you for your songs. You gave them empowerment in a macho society. You help create change. On top of that, Pepe never had a song as cool as Rata De Dos Patas:

Obama’s biggest downfall in his campaign was that he underestimated Latinos. This cost him big time in California. There was so much he could have done to get our vote and he didn't.

For instance, He never really spoke out on immigration issues, which Hilary openly did. For example, Hillary came out in support of AB 540 (The Dream Act), which would allow illegal immigrants to attend college as long as they follow certain provisions. Hillary also started early, rounding up support from Latino heavyweights such as L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Councilwomen Gloria Molina, Dolores Huerta and the United Farm Workers. In fact, Villaraigosa pledged his support  for Hilary back in 2006. It also didn’t help Obama cause that many Latinos prospered during the Clinton years and are looking for a return to that prosperity.

Then there is the unfortunate reality that African-Americans and Latinos are socialized in this country to hate each other. We are taught this in the public school system, where neither of us are taught our true history. We are made into street soldiers to fight each other in our ever-increasing incarceration in prisons. We are taught to blame each other by politicians for the lack of jobs, lower wages and increasing cost of living. Truth is that some of us are so messed up that we find it easier to fight each other rather than to come together and fight the true source of our problems.

Obama knows this and has addressed this, quite elegantly, in fact. My thoughts that I have written are not much different from what he has said in interviews and in his speeches. Problem is that he didn't tell this to Latinos. People like my mother, who became a citizen back in 1994 yet still gets her information through the Spanish speaking media. Obama did very little with the Spanish speaking media until just before the election. He chose rather to court Hollywood insiders during his time in Los Angeles. The Chicago Tribune reported that the Obama campaign office in East L.A. was opened mere days before the election. Even with a huge rally at East L.A. College with Sen. Kennedy and Maria Elena Durazo as his co-chairperson for his campaign, Latino voters knew very little about Obama and as a result lost the Latino vote to Clinton by a 2-1 margin, the worst defeat of his campaign.

Latin Jazz Album: "Funk Tango," Paquito D'Rivera Quintet.
This album is pedestrian at best.
Alternative: Cabijazz, Latin Giants Of Jazz, Colon 264

Latin Pop Album: "El Tren De Los Momentos," Alejandro Sanz.
El Tren De Aburridos is more like it. Jorge Drexler's 12 Segundos De Oscuridad would have been better, just for the title track alone.

Latin Rock or Alternative Album: "No Hay Espacio," Black:Guayaba.
Read the title above. Cafe Tacvba's Si No or Maneja Beto's Accidentes de Longitud y Latitud would have been better.

Latin Urban Album: "Residente O Visitante," Calle 13.
No argument here. I felt Calle 13 should have been in the general Album of the Year with Herbie, Kanye and Amy, even if it never had a ghost of a chance to win.

Tropical Latin Album: "La Llave De Mi Corazon," Juan Luis Guerra.
Some great songs on this album but not enough to say it's the best. El Gran Combo & Spanish Harlem Orquesta, who were also nominated, were just as good. My pick? Calambuco, Grupo Caribe, La Excelencia or Envidia All-Stars

Mexican/Mexican-American Album: "100 (Percent) Mexicano," Pepe Aguilar.
Paquita La De Barrio gets robbed again! Pepe becomes her new "rata de dos patas"

Tejano Album: "Before the Next Teardrop Falls," Little Joe & La Familia.
Little Joe can't sing anymore. Go for the old school real deal: Conjunto Bernal or the Beto Villa's Orchestra reissues

Norteno Album: "Detalles Y Emociones," Los Tigres Del Norte.
I love Los Tigres Del Norte but this wasn't their best. Los Razos, Raza Obrera or Los Rieleros Del Norte had better offerings last year. Still, no one can come close to writing the kind of songs that Los Tigres write.

Banda Album: "Te Va A Gustar," El Chapo.
I figured Valentin Elizalde would get the sympathy vote, but I guess he didn't. What? getting shot and killed doesn't guarantee a Grammy any longer?

I wrote about Victor Gastelum several months back when I first starting writing for Amoeba.com. Victor’s iconic art has been used by Calexico, Culture Clash, Greg Ginn, just to name a few. Victor is currently showing in a group show called ALEX STEINWEISS: CREATOR OF THE ALBUM COVER at the Robert Berman Gallery in Santa Monica. Victor is one to show his appreciation for any artist that inspires him. I got him to share his thoughts on Morrissey, his Mexican following and Morrissey's supposed anti-immigrant remakes he made last November.

What makes you a fan of  Morrissey? How did you become one?

I started liking the Smith's right when they were breaking up.  I was starting to make my own art and I found Morrissey’s lyrics inspiring. Not that I wanted to draw what he was describing but that he was telling his own stories.  You got the feeling that he was talking about what he knew.  He along with other artists that I admire made me look at myself, and draw from what I knew about, what I had to offer.  The music was the first attraction to the band though.  I like pop music, especially with clever lyrics and hooks.  The band was tight and at the time there didn’t seem to be anything like them.


Why do you feel that Mexicanos identify with him?

For me I think it might have to do with his outsider, nerdy loser
image.  He made being square and dorky really cool.  He is into all these obscure English pop artists, television shows, and movies that he would make references to. I think it made you place a little more value to the things you liked that most people didn’t know about or thought were lame.  Also the Manchester bands seem to have this thing where they are all homeboys.  Not so much pride or shame, but just an acknowledgement of where they are from.  He put a lot reference to where he was from, places and buildings.  I like seeing that, (for instance) like when an artist is from San Pedro or Long Beach and they throw that influence into their work.