Blasting on to the Southern California Hard Rock Scene, Tijuana Bullfight’s self-titled debut gained traction and garnered them a nomination of the “Independent Rock Album of the year” at the 14th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards. Since inception, they have slowly created a community for fans of Heavy Alt/Rock, Grunge and Punk.
Influenced by early Nirvana, Soundgarden, STP and Black Sabbath, they combine Psychedelic Vocals with Punk harmonies and fuse it to a Subterranean Heavy wall of sound including slashing riffs, chugging rhythms and drums tuned to a thunderous low. Two successful USA tours, highlighted the diversity in styles and genres, had the them sharing the stage with New Metal Heavyweights KYNG, Alt-indie Rick Rubin produced Palo Alto and Los Angeles ALL MIGHTY Fireball Ministry to count a few. Recently the band expanded it’s fan base by completing a headlining tour into Mexico.
If you are not afraid of the MOSH PIT and like BIG FAT guitars with with vocals to bang your head to, then this is a must have for your collection. Unpretentious and honest, Tijuana Bullfight might have you throwing on some old jeans, slipping on your favorite pair of VANS or Doc Martens and head out to find some live music. Its the perfect music to blast in the car on the way to a concert or party.
In this interview spotlight, I chat with Tijuana Bullfight about their latest release, challenges, technology and more.
Full Q&A along with links and music below.
Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)
We are from Los Angeles and we play a Alt Rock version of a Punk/Grunge hybrid.
What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to keep going?
I met Mark (bass) through a friend while we both were in different bands playing on the same bill at a venue. Months after that show we both ended meeting again while playing basketball together.
And If I remember correctly we both ended up at the water fountain, laughing about how out of shape we were. It was then when decided to start jamming together and writing… that was over 15 years, 2 full LPS and 2 EPS ago.
We have been fortunate to have worked with some amazing people and made some incredible friends along the way. So what keeps us going is the journey, you never know whats going to happen next but its exciting.
How is this new release different than previous ones? Were you trying to accomplish anything specific?
Yes we wanted to not over think it. We revisited some old songs we wrote years ago that never went anywhere because we did over think them in the writing process. And any new stuff we write we keep it simple and it kinda writes itself.
Dynamics too, we got better and creating tension and dynamics with in the songs naturally.
Name one or two challenges you face as an indie musician in this oversaturated, digital music age? How has technology helped you (since we know it does help)?
Those two. Over-saturation is a huge hurdle for any band even the bigger more established ones. The digital age has made it easier to create music but to harder digest and satisfy the music industry.
The music industry is cannibalistic in some ways. Its hard to sustain momentum with one record or song for that matter especially for us because we can work on a song for a while. We can’t just write and release a song every day. So we focus on writing at our on pace knowing good and well in this digital age another band or song could eat any momentum we have going for ours. But technology has helped us find and connect with people actively yearning for our type of music, it helps us find them and vise versa.
What was the last song you listened to?
Weightless by AEGES.
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s?
MP3s probably. My car doesn’t have a CD player or I would say it. But when we tour the VAN does have a CD player but still it’s just more to carry.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
All of them! Spotify because its the BEAST and is easiest. Apple Music because we are MAC heads and love our IPHONES and IPADS etc… Bandcamp because of the fans! Pure Music lovers, just looking to discover and support artists.
Where is the best place to connect with you online and discover more music?
Anyone one of our main socials
Facebook.com/tijuanabullfightband
Instagram : TijuanaBullfight
or our website www.tijuanabullfightband.com
Anything else before we sign off?
“For those about to Rock” we salute YOU!
