Got to give it to the boys in The Bronx. While they are across town opening for Soundgarden, I'm at The Metro waiting for The Vasco Era, who in the past have not impressed me much. The plus side is, my only clash at Thursday's Big Day Out has now been solved and I'm looking forward to some Mariachi music soon enough.

You can't fault the enthusiasm of The Vasco Era. The three piece make one helluva racket and use the stage to their full advantage. Their garage rock, in the same vein as early Vines, has impressed many. Sadly I can't say I'm one of them. From butchering Hendrix's 'Voodoo Chile' at the very beginning of their set until the eventual end, I cannot say I was interested for more than a minute. Suffice it to say, they're not for everyone.

With curtains drawn as they set up, you knew this was going to be a special performance. Resplendent in full Mexican outfits, Mariachi El Bronx took the stage. The full Metro crowd erupted when the curtains drew back. Opening with "48 Roses" from their second album, the eight piece launched into a gig that singer would continue to praise as one of their best in Australia. "We played earlier tonight with Soundgarden and it was a fight man. But now. We're here to make some love!"

The party had started and the good times rolled. The crowd at one point even started a conga line instead of the mosh pits I'm used to. The room clearly dug the Mexican tunes! Noting changes between their visits to our shores, singer Matt Caughthran made mention of the fact that "when we were here last year for Soundwave there were like five Pie Faces in Sydney... now there are 5000!" (which is true, look around... there’s one on every corner!)

The band played a good mix off both records. The popularity of the second album was shown with the response to tracks like "The Great Provider", "Matador" and "Revolution Girl". Unlike the opening act, the band commanded the crowds attention and got it. The room was filled with love as Matt had hoped and it was all directed at Mariachi El Bronx. Their appreciation was returned in a small but worthy encore (let's remember the band were playing again tomorrow after playing twice tonight) which was enough to the leave the crowd heading out the door with Spanish guitars and horns on their head as they left to prepare for Australia Day.