Re-release of obscure 1993 debut from a band that’s the equivalent of Weird Al had he been born an early 80’s chollo punk band from “East Los” (Angeles). Yes these are all seminal punk classics with lyrics “massaged” appropriately to reflect “the latino experience” (ugh, I cant believe I just wrote that…). Cheech and Chong meets Black Flag (?). However you describe it, its entertaining and great. Turns out this band was formed as part of a prison work release program (if you can believe the BYO website, see below)

1) Black Flag classic, one FCC “I was so fucked up”
2) X classic “Los Angeles” turned into “East Los” FCC “shit”
3) Wire classic 12XU: “uno dos equis u”
4) Clash song
5) Sex Pistols’ “god save the queen”, en espanol
6) starts with Cheech and Chong’ish skit intro, The Damned cover
7) L7 classic “Mexican Society”
8) oh boy!, “he gives me cabeza”- Jet Boy Jet Girl by the Damned, what a scream
9) Iggy Pop, stooges upbeat punk
10) early 80’s LA hardcore classics medly, from Amoeba (“amigo”) to the Circle Jerks’ Wild in the Streets (“Loco in the streets”)
11) silly as hell version of Freddie Fender’s Next Teardrop, ballad, with cheesy self promoting intro
12) oh jeeze, instead of “Orgasm Addict” the are singing “Manic Hispanic to the Buzzcocks’ classic
13) voiceover talks about kickin it in the barrio, which ends up in a “drive-by smiling”, nice, with an early 60’s style doo-wop soundbed

Bill Cuevas

This from the record label’s website: Manic Hispanic came together in the early-1990's as part of a work release program. The idea was formed by OC Probation Officer Freddie Gomez, "I thought if I could keep these guys on a stage, they would stay out of trouble on the streets."
So far, so good. The plan has worked. Instead of a life of lock downs and orange jumpsuits, they are now playing sold out shows and busting out the jokes. These 7 vatos all have one thing in common - their love for classic punk rock. Manic Hispanic take the punk songs that they love but they add a large dose of barrio humor.
Members of Manic Hispanic have been in and are currently in: The Adolescents, Cadillac Tramps, The Grabbers, Punk Rock Karaoke, The X-Members, 22 Jacks, Final Conflict, and Agent Orange.