Hardcore riffs rip through the sound system as heads enthusiastically undulate to the pounding and popping of percussion. Bodies bounce and bash each other while arms fling and flap in the air, seemingly in an effort to fly, as if the band hasn’t already brought them to musical rapture. For almost four years, the local band ¡El Chavos! has been gracing Memphis venues, and in that time, has amassed a staunch, predominantly high school and college following. They kicked off the year with their freshman album, “Frowned Upon.”
“I feel like the album is something that you could listen to [casually], but it’s also really good when you’re going out with friends,” Leslie Ramirez (12) said. “It’s more of a singing along kind of like an album, not like a calm, ‘I’m trying to study’ album.”
In “Frowned Upon,” ¡El Chavos! pumps out high speed punk tracks, but also experiments with slower, more somber songs. The raw emotions expressed in the release make it ideal for screaming along with fellow fans or at concerts.
“They branched out way more [in the new album],” Eliane DeFoe (10) said. “There’s a [variety] of genres in their songs now. They’ve started off strong, and they’re staying strong. I don’t think there are [many] weaknesses in their new album.”
Some fans seem to disagree, however, when it comes to the amount of diversity of musical genres within the album. When bands become celebrated for a specific type of music, it can be difficult to change course.
“I like the lyrics and the beats, but at the same time, I feel like there could be more diversity in the album,” Ramirez said. “Sometimes you catch yourself listening to the songs and you’re like, ‘Oh, I thought this was [another] song because of how similar they sound,’ especially [when considering] their previous [singles].”
Among those who criticize and those who acclaim the album, both parties tend to agree on one major aspect regardless of the recent releases: how well-written the lyrics are. Underneath all the sticks, strums and screams lie thought-provoking and politically-charged verses.
“I [appreciate] how they speak up about local problems that are going on now in America,” Ramirez said “I started paying [more] attention to them because a lot of bands don’t do that anymore. A lot of bands just keep quiet [about these issues]. That’s what I really like about ¡El Chavos! and [other Memphis bands like] Degenerate Breakfast, they speak up about what’s going on right now.”
The band doesn’t stop at paying lip service to these topics, as they actively work to provide not only sounds, but also sustenance for Memphians. The musicians never take their community for granted as they put in effort to form meaningful connections with fans and provide for their city.
“I remember when ¡El Chavos! did [a canned food drive] with Degenerate Breakfast,” DeFoe said. “I like that they’re involved [with their community and supporters] and they’re not [singularly focused on their] music. They’re not a band that [likes to] keep to themselves, they like to help out.”
As ¡El Chavos! has risen in popularity, they have extended their platform and as a result, have shared the spotlight with other local groups such as Degenerate Breakfast, The Narrows and Joybomb. Additionally, ¡El Chavos! has utilized their platform to fully and authentically express themselves with the band’s lead singer, Luki, being a transgender woman, a fact that has caused a boost in confidence with queer fans.
“¡El Chavos! is a band [that] accepts anyone who supports their music,” DeFoe said. “They’re welcoming [and have] definitely helped other bands grow [along with them] as well. They’ve started to collab[orate] more with other bands and it’s giving everyone a chance to really show [off their] music.”
When fans decide to spend their Saturday night seeing ¡El Chavos!, it is almost certain they’ll end the night with a new story to tell. When loud music blares and the lights are turned down low, a venue turns into an outlet of energy.
“[My brother and I] were both headbanging together, and we hit our heads [together] by accident,” Dani Slomkowski (10) said. “I like to think back on that [moment because] we were both having so much fun, we didn’t even realize how close we were to the point that we literally could have split [eachother’s] heads open. It was so hilarious, [and] we just laughed it off and just kept having fun.”
¡El Chavos! plans on extending their influence beyond the Bluff City with a tour. Fans hope this is the advent of many boundary-breaking events to come as the group continues to garner success.
“I want to see ¡El Chavos! leave Memphis [and] go wherever they want to go,” Slomkowski said. “I want to see them travel and achieve their dreams by making music [because] seeing these bands [grow] from the beginning of their careers and knowing they originate from Memphis is so awesome and it makes our city so much cooler.”