Kinky
House of Blues Anaheim
2/11/15
Being a Kinky fan requires you to be turned on by a lot of aural experimentation. The band name kinda says it all. And for well over a decade, the polyglot five piece from Monterrey continues to test out our musical predilections with an orgy of funk, techno, punk and rock en español. Oh, and they also make sure we all get our exercise by jumping up and down at an insane pace for the entirety of their set. Last night's show at House of Blues Anaheim shook the foundation of the Mouse House and reminded us that even four years without a record isn't enough to make us forget the power these Mexican pretty boys possess.
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Swooping into their positions under dim light on stage, the first thing audiences cheered for was bassist Cesar Pilego and his tough, black tejana–a staple of any Kinky show. The rest of the band–Gil Cerezo (lead vocalist), Carlos Chairez (guitar), Omar Gongora (drums) and Ulises Lozano (keyboards)–took their time filling out the stage before blasting us with the freeway funk and catchy chorus of “Despues Del After.” The band has never had a problem compelling Latin twentysomethings to get loose, converting their shows into writhing, chanting dance parties that tend to reflect the circus on stage. Both Pilego and Cerezo usually get into it pretty hard, especially Pilego,who's Mexican Marlboro man aesthetic and thrusting, stripper dance moves would've landed him a job as an extra on the set of Magic Mike.
The onslaught of dance beats, slippery guitar and Cerezo's multi-instrumental acumen (the guy picked up several instruments throughout the night from tooting a flugelhorn to scratching on turntables) was stunning. We half expected him to grab an overpriced tall can from the bar and somehow make an instrument out of it. Other favorites like “Cornman ” Hasta Quemarnos” and “A Donde Van Los Muertos” all showcased the Gongora's deft machine-like drumming for the hour-and-a-half set.
As the Corona flowed in the crowd, a few spiky-haired and pompadoured bros in front whipped up a mosh pit that swept up some unsuspecting beauties in tight cocktail dresses who barely escaped with their drinks halfway spilled. But even a bit of tumult here and there didn't disrupt the night as Cerezo strutted on stage, bringing us a spirited, sarcastic rendition of Wall of Voodoo's “Mexican Radio.” And just to add a little extra heir of randomness, the band also tossed in a few minutes of Prodigy's “Smack My Bitch Up” for good measure shortly before their longwinded encore. And you know they couldn't escape the building without the crowd clamoring for the signature bass line of their hit “Mas,” the earworm that's graced everything from Denzel Washington movies to Taco Bell commercials. Oh, and we got it–the extended dance mix version. They literally jammed on the chorus until there literally was no mas left to give. And in the end, the furious roar of the crowd indicated that they'd done enough.
See also:
The 50 Best Things About the OC Music Scene
The 50 Worst Things About the OC Music Scene
The 25 Greatest OC Bands of All Time: The Complete List
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