Biography
It was in 1993 that Los Skarnales first assembled in Houston, an era when local Spanish-language rock acts mostly recycled standard covers from Mexico-based groups or delivered clumsy takes on U.S. chart material. Co-founders Felipe Galvan, Jose Rodriguez, and John Garcia instead made their mark as the fierce punk trio Desorden. The outfit adopted the name Los Skarnales (loose English translation: Brothers of Ska) in 1995 and brought in Josue Mares, a supporter from the Desorden period. Mares, a skilled visual artist and designer, serves as the group’s graphic visionary; together with Galvan he handles every Los Skarnales album sleeve and promotional item, among them a fanzine-style “coloring book” that charts the band’s rude-boy trajectory through an eccentric comic strip.
A decisive shift occurred when Galvan and Rodriguez, drawn increasingly to vintage surf and rockabilly, began folding those ingredients into the sound. The broadened palette attracted a wider following. During 1996 a brief West Coast and Southwest trek placed the band onstage with reunited Two Tone architects the Specials in Phoenix and alongside King Chango and additional acts at the Guateque Festival in Los Angeles. The group also journeyed to Mexico for several shows that ended with an appearance on the national variety program “Desvelados.”
Back in Houston the band’s own imprint, Pinche Flojo, started carving out its character, prompting Garcia’s departure so he could devote himself fully to the label. Vatos Rudos appeared in 1997, with Suavecito Style following in 2000.
A decisive shift occurred when Galvan and Rodriguez, drawn increasingly to vintage surf and rockabilly, began folding those ingredients into the sound. The broadened palette attracted a wider following. During 1996 a brief West Coast and Southwest trek placed the band onstage with reunited Two Tone architects the Specials in Phoenix and alongside King Chango and additional acts at the Guateque Festival in Los Angeles. The group also journeyed to Mexico for several shows that ended with an appearance on the national variety program “Desvelados.”
Back in Houston the band’s own imprint, Pinche Flojo, started carving out its character, prompting Garcia’s departure so he could devote himself fully to the label. Vatos Rudos appeared in 1997, with Suavecito Style following in 2000.
Albums
Singles
