Monte Negro

The bilingual Los Angeles band Monte Negro plays an even mix of alternative rock and rock en español. The band began coming together when Mexican-American brothers Kinski Gallo (vocals) and Rodax (bass) formed the punk band Anima, which the L.A. press dubbed "the Latino Red Hot Chili Peppers." After the band broke up, Kinski and Rodax found guitarist Jason Li Shing and drummer Xavier Lopez and formed a new band, Madrepore, in 2003. As the band evolved, the brothers' Mexican heritage began playing a bigger role, so a name change was in order to mark this new sound. They became Monte Negro and released a series of EPs, including Amor Finito, which included "Give Me Love (No Llores)," a song L.A. alt-rock radio station KROQ added to their playlist. In the summer of 2007 they released their debut album, Cicatrix, on the Adrenaline label. In early 2008 it was announced that the band had been signed to the major label Epic. A digital EP titled Who Told You soon followed while their full-length Epic debut was promised for that spring.