POP MUSIC REVIEW : Energetic Set by La Castaneda

In its second Los Angeles appearance on Friday at the Whisky, Mexico City’s La Castaneda delivered an angry and energetic performance that should earn it a spot among the most promising bands in the “second pack” of the new Mexican rock movement. And this was only an incomplete sample of La Castaneda’s typical shows in Mexico, which feature elaborate costume and stage design and the participation of actors.

La Castaneda’s strength is not its songs per se--although they do have some fine tunes--nor in their still-in-the-making overall sound, but a strong personality, particularly the stage presence of singer Salvador Moreno, whose voice sounds something like a punkish version of David Clayton-Thomas’.

At the Whisky, guitarist Osvaldo de Leon brought an element of unpredictability to his solos and rhythm parts, and the band showed an exciting ability to effortlessly go from dark rockers to cachondeos (Latin-flavored party grooves) in an instant.