A few weeks ago the Mexican kings of excess, holding hands and singing songs of liberty, unleashed all their fury upon the self-proclaimed live music capital of the world, Austin, TX. They participated in what is as an organized excess party, the Mardi Gras Festival, which is a famous tradition in the state of Louisiana. The principal past time of course, is walking on the streets full of people with some beads in hand and exchanging them with girls willing to show off their breasts in order to get some of those "precious" beads.

During the second day of events, a concert was put on where Genitallica from Monterrey, Mexico took the stage alongside American bands like Toadies, Podunk, Vallejo, and Blue October, among others.

Genitallica, being one of the newcomers, had to take the stage in the early afternoon; that didn't stop them from putting on a show where everyone jumped and moshed. The majority (around 90%) where white kids, or at least non-Latinos, but they still enjoyed the crazy and wild show put on by the band. They jumped, screamed, and sang who knows what because no one knew the songs; I don't think they even knew what the band was saying, but that still didn't take away the incredible energy that everyone was enjoying.

We had the opportunity of seeing two American bands that played before them. Despite them singing in English, the concertgoers were just not into them. The bands lacked the energy and talent that the Mexican band showed afterwards. When Genitallica took the stage they immediately took control of the audience and they kick-started what would be an excellent concert on that lazy Texas afternoon. Before playing their first song, they demanded everyone to get closer to the stage and to jump like never before. Everyone complied immediately.

Despite the fact that their set was only 30 minutes long, it was extremely powerful; they showed that there is a great amount of talent and professionalism even by rock bands that don't sing in English. At the end, everyone sang the popular Mexican folk-song, "La Cucaracha," in a very special and unique style that only Genitallica could create.

If you have never heard of Genitallica, I can say that they are a very simple band, with simple and upfront lyrics. They love to sing about excess, beer, a plant used by many teenagers, and of course, that little sensation that all young males feel when they enter puberty. Their songs are like anthems for a lot of teens that can identify with such things. Even though the lyrics can be simple at times, their music is excellent.

For me and others that grew up listening to bands like Metallica in the early to mid 90's, Genitallica made me remember those simple times when rock and roll was about having long hair and playing your air guitar like if you knew what chords to play. Wow, just wonderful. You know what I'm talking about, right?

If you have never seen them play live or simply don't know who they are, don't miss them at the 2001South By Southwest.