Genitallica, The Metro, Wednesday 14

Photo By John Anderson

Genitallica

The Metro, Wednesday 14

The problem with all the much-hyped Rock en Español, much like yesterday's favorite international buzz from Japan, is often the translation. That's the daunting obstacle faced by bands like Genitallica, Monterrey, Mexico's favorite party band. It was clear from the opener, though, that this band has the ammo to slice through the language barrier. "La Cucaracha"? We can understand that! In fact, when the pounding rhythm revs up into a sneering anthem in full Circle Jerks style, it's crystal clear. With a sound centering on a dynamic front duo all rappin', rantin', and ragin' with some help from a monstrous megaphone, it was up to the guit-bass-drum trio to bring the noise proper. Chunky riffs were there aplenty, but the Mick Mars-Nikki Sixx axis was in clear focus, leavin' today's soulless nu metal in the Sevendust. But before the headbanger slant takes hold, the Beastie-style tag team brings the shock therapy. And before you can digest the Korn, here come the snotty Lagwagonesque chants. "What do you think of Mexican rap so far?" Not much, really. But this, this is something else entirely. The woeful attempts to explain the songs came out as ponderous as the band's "low concept" behind their ¿Picas o Platicas? album, which features some sort of mutant crab monster in a starring role. Something about masturbating, wimmen, and drugz. But the rifling chant of "Tequila! Cerveza!" came through just a little more clearly. Jittery electro beats peppered up the proceedings, sticking raw adrenaline in the faces of the vertically mobile Metro crowd, and then the trombone made its debut, opening a wobbly path to parties unknown. "Mi marijuana! Mi marijuana!" Smells like somebody brought some of that loco weed to this here party. And the folks outside must've been smellin' the action, too, if the mob waiting outside the club was any indication. If there were any Disco Biscuits in this house, they would've wound up hurtling through the air and collecting in sticky, gooey clumps on the floor.