Kinky

Riding the disruptive euphoria of the new millennium, Kinky entered the Latin rock landscape with a blasphemous cocktail of electronic psychedelia and the traditional sounds of Northern Mexico. Kinky was formed in 1998 by vocalist Gilberto Cerezo, guitarist Carlos Chairez, and keyboardist/programmer Ulises Lozano (also the cofounder of electronic norteño group Mexican Dubwiser), who were soon joined by drummer Omar Góngora and emblematic cowboy bassist ‎Cesar Pliego. The band broke out of Monterrey's influential Avanzada Regia movement, which saw the rise of boundary-pushing acts like Control Machete and Plastilina Mosh and ushered in a new era of Mexican alternative music. Kinky's 2002 self-titled debut was an instant smash, fusing rock, funk, samba, and norteño on classics like “Mas” and “Ejercicio #16.” Though their sophomore LP, Atlas, explored a crunchier experimental sound, 2006's Reina was a thumping return to the dance floor, yielding hits like “Sister Twisted” and “Uruapan Breaks.” The band’s electrifying live shows have become legendary among fans, while their licensing savvy landed them in numerous films, video games, and even World Cup ads. Kinky have crossed over with pop icons such as Julieta Venegas and Los Ángeles Azules, released their own MTV Unplugged session in 2014, and reembraced disco hedonism for 2022's shimmering Fierrro LP—highlights from a career in constant evolution but with a distinctly Mexican sound.