“Representing the big fucking monster México City,” said lead singer, Dr. Shenka, voicing his excitement of being part of NPR Music’s “El Tiny” Desk series for Hispanic Heritage Month in Washington, D.C. on October 1st, while recalling touring around the world and being together as a band for more than 30 years—also being the theme of their current tour, “XXX Years / Generación del 95”.
Panteón Rococó has been known for decades as one of the staples of Ska / Punk Rock bands in México due to their passionate and socially conscious lyrics describing the feelings and struggles of the citizens of the country, accompanied by an infectious rhythm impossible not to dance to. It’s no surprise to see most of its founding members wearing humanitarian clothing, such as the fútbol jersey of the Club Deportivo Palestino de Chile, Ningún ser humano es ilegal (No human being is illegal), Make Fascist Afraid Again, #HastaEcontrarles (Until We Find Them), and a dog peeing on an ICE cube.
The set list consists of the sensual “Arréglame el Alma”, “1993…” dedicated to all the missing people of México, last year’s release “Cha-Cha Love”, an alternate version of “La Dosis Perfecta”, and the anticapitalist anthem “La Carencia”, including singing the “down”, “up”, “jump” for crowd work but in German (nach unten, nach oben, springen). The band consists of founding members Dr. Shenka (lead vocals), Monelo (guitar), Tanis (percussion), Don Gorri (guitar), Darío Espinosa (bass), Missael (sax, EWI, background vocals), Paco Barajas (trombone, background vocals), Felipe Bustamante (keys), alongside Eduardo Torruco (drums), Armando “Pinaca” Espinosa (timbales), Hércules Martínez Pineda (trumpet), and Hugo Moreno (trumpet).
Panteón Rococó’s last shows, before an indefinite and rightfully earned hiatus, will take place in Pachuca, Hidalgo on October 7th at the Coliseo GNP; October 22nd in Tijuana, BC at the Festival Tecate Peninsula; October 24th in Torreón, Coahuila at the Coliseo Centenario; October 31st in Monterrey, Nuevo León at the Auditorio Banamex; November 14th in Cancún, Quintana Roo at the Plaza de Toros Stadium; and December 26th in México City, at the Estadio GNP Seguros. The band was also recently nominated for “Best Rock Artist” by the Heat Latin Music Awards, on their first Mexican edition of the awards, which will take place on November 5th in Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, at the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center. Voting can only be done via LosHeat.TV app before it closes on October 15th.