Third Annul Rock Y Roll Dia

Commentary: I am sorry I didn’t publish this blog sooner but there are some events that lead me to delay this review. I believe that this may be the last Rock y Roll Dia. Shortly after this event, their website, rockyrolldia.com, was suspended for non-payment. The associated website, rockyrollradio.com , and myspace page, rockyrollradio , were also suspended for non-payment. I was hoping that the issue would have been resolved by now but it has not. In my blogs, I like to link to the events, the bands, the sponsors and the clubs so that you can get a sense of what I experience. But if I link to Rock y Roll Dia or Rock y Roll Radio, at this time you will get a blank screen. I am really disappointed that these websites may no longer exist because I am a strong supporter of both enterprises. I depended on these and other related sites for exposure and access to new music, band info and events. They were my main source of information and now I will have to seek other sources which may not be local and international in scope.


Nov. 1, 2008-I attended the 3rd Annual Rock y Roll Dia on Dia De Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, a Mexican cultural event that celebrates and remembers family and friends that have passed. The event took place at club The Mohawk and is presented to showcase Latin Music and to raise funds for two Austin, Texas based charities,Latinats and Cine Las Americas. Latinitas is an online bilingual non-profit publication focused on empowering Hispanic girls through media and technology. Cine Las Americas is a multicultural, non-profit Media Arts Center dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and growth by educating, entertaining and challenging the diverse Central Texas community through film and media arts.

This was my first time to The Mohawk and I was impressed. I like the indoor/outdoor layout of the club because it gives you three vantage points for listening and viewing the band and events. There is an indoor bar with a big screen television and a small room with stage for lounge acts. The outdoor layout includes a stage with ample room for the audience, 200 plus, to stand or dance, a patio overlooking the stage on the right and a second more elevated spacious patio facing the stage with a lounge and bar. The elevated patio was the VIP section and I was fortunate enough to score a couple of VIP tickets compliments of Rock y Roll Dia and Gwizsk Design. The VIP treatment included a Dia Muertos shirt, free drinks sponsored Tito’s Vodka and Sweet Leaf Tea and free food. What a deal! And the music was included. Life is Good. . The line up for the event featured: Monte Negro, Charanga Cakewalk, Los Hollywood, Mexican Dubwiser and headliner, Los Amigos Invisible.


The opening act was Monte Negro, a bilingual rock and Latin alternative band. I first saw Monte Negro back in August on the Circo Rocktastico tour at Antone’s, which also featured The Morakestra, The May Fire and Astra Heights. Monte Negro is based out of Los Angeles, California and consist of four talented individuals. I have expressed my appreciation for their music personally and through myspace. I spoke to guitarist, Jason Li Shing, at Rock y Roll Dia and told him I thought he was an exceptional guitarist. When I hear a Monte Negro song, for me the guitar is the focal point of the song. I like the band’s energy and presence. They really get into the music and the audience responds as well. If you haven’t figured it out let, I really like this band and already purchased their latest CD, "Cicatrix", and will go see them again when they return to Austin. My favorite songs are “Give Me Love,” “Lejos,” “Don’t Let Down,” and “Pena Collective.”

Charanga Cakewalk, the second act, an Austin based band is also a top favorite band of mine. The creative genius behind Charanaga Cakewalk is Michael Ramos, a multi-talented musician who has worked with John Mellencamp, Lila Downs, Paul Simmon, Patti Griffin, The Bodeans and The Rembrandts to name a few associations. Charanga Cakewalk is very unique in sound, it’s a lounge mix of tejano, flamenco folklorica, merengue, salsa, garage rock, ska and reggaeton. It has a nice mellow sound and beat. The music makes you want to dance or at a minimum tap your toes. I first became familiar with Charanga Cakewalk through Music Entertainment Television (METV) in Austin, Texas. I saw a video entitled “Celina La Negra” and I went WOW! I hadn’t heard that type of music before and the woman dancing in the video made me go double WOW! I had to know more and I had to find the CD with "Celina La Negra." Lucky for me, Charanga Cakewalk had just released "Loteria de la Cumbia Lounge" and added it to my collection. I also knew that I had to see Charanga Cakewalk live and did so at Pachanga Latino Music Festival in May. They were great and will see them many times over when I can. This night their performance was exceptional as well. Charanga Cakewalk plays on a regular basis in Austin and I strongly recommend that you catch a show. My favorite songs are: "Celina La Negra," "Tu y Yo," "Mexicanos."

"No te Aguites"- Los Hollywood

The third act was Los Hollywood, a San Diego, California based band. The band consist of Heidy, lead vocal and guitar, Gustavo, drums, and Marcos, on bass. The band combines rock and pop music in both English and Spanish. Los Hollywood played in the lounge adjacent to the bar. The lounge was small but packed. I had heard the bands music on rockyrollradio.com and really liked them. They played a short set which included my favorite “No Te Aguites” plus “Te Quireo Tanto” and “Inside My Mind.” One thing that you have to know about Los Hollywood is that this year they won the Myspace Latino Battle of the Bands from the west coast area. All their myspace friends feverishly voted for them, including me, to win the title. I did speak to Heidy and expressed my appreciation of their music and ask her where I could get their music, Heidy informed me that a CD will be available in early 2009. Heidy is a very friendly soft spoken young women and Los Hollywood will go far with their music. I would go see them again and purchase their upcoming CD.

The last act and headliner was Los Amigos Invisible. They are a band from Venezuela, now based in Brooklyn, New York and have a strong fan base throughout the world. They blend a smooth funk, soul, 80’s pop, salsa and meregue music. Los Amigos Invisible consist of six talented individuals and have been together since the early 1990’s. This night they played a long set which the audience just loved. Everybody crowded the stage and the first floor level. The floor was packed and the fans were dancing and jumping up and down to the music beat. The band played song after song and the crowd would cheer with each new song. I had heard many of Los Amigos Invisible’s songs on CD but when they started to play, the quality of sound and performance was exceptional. I thought to myself, “This is going to be a great night and memorable performance.” I was not disappointed and based on the crowd’s reaction and response, we were all in agreement. Los Amigos Invisible are a must see musical group so put them on your list of groups to see. I did buy their DVD, "Los Amigos Invisibles Live," and have been enjoying it on a regular basis. My favorite songs are: "Sexy," "Groupie," " Ultra Funk," " Caramelo y Chocolate."

Mexican Dubwiser is a DJ from Monterey, Mexico now living in Los Angeles, California. I came across Mexican Dubwiser on MySpace and immediately liked his mixes. I met Mexican Dubwiser and found him to be very friendly and very unassuming. A really nice guy and gladly played my song request. If you link to his myspace page, you'll see he plays for many major artists and events. If you have an oppurtunity to say Hi to Mexican Dubwiser, please do.


Overall Rock y Roll Dia was a huge success. The acts were outstanding, the Mohawk was an excellent venue and everything went smoothly. I met several people from other Texas cities who drove hundreds of miles to specifically to see the Amigos.