Bronca

Bronca is what the east valley sounds like with the amps all the way up: break-neck blast beats, fiery guitar lines, and lyrics that switch between English and Spanish mid-song to take on oppression, code-switching, and self-worth.

The Indio five-piece — Josaphat Sical on vocals, Leopoldo Juan Treviño and Jairo Bravo on guitars, Mario Estrada on bass, and Eric Freeman on drums — has become one of the desert's essential heavy acts, with a debut EP, 'totlanawatil,' that packs ten minutes with cultural commentary honoring their Mexican roots.

Live is where Bronca earns its reputation: Sical usually ends up in the crowd, a United Farm Workers flag hangs on the amp at every show, and between songs the band talks straight to the room. Catch them at the valley's punk-friendly venues — and bring earplugs.