Panteón Rococó is getting ready to head up the U.S. for their tour in support of their latest album Ni Carne Ni Pescado, and to find out more about the tour and the album, we had a phone conversation with lead vocalist, Dr. Shenka.
The album, Ni Carne Ni Pescado is a mix of new material, covers and collaborations with other artists like Kiny, DLD, Jotdog, Celso Piña, Sonido Caballero, and Pato Machete, and since this album is more of a mash of styles and ideas the term “ni carne ni pescado” which would translate “neither here nor there” is more than an appropriate name for the album.
When I asked if the idea of an album with such a different mix of musical ideas was a risk, Dr Shenka replied: “We didn’t think it was a risk because we have such loyal fans and we had in the past done some collaborations and even sang a song in German, the only problem was the record company people, who are always afraid to take risks or trying something different”
Besides the collaborations with other artists, there is also the English cover of The Specials classic, “Gangasters” and a German cover of “Remmi Demmi” from German hi-hop/electronic band Deichkind, and with the great acceptance of the band in Europe and especially in Germany, I asked if the band has ever thought about making a full album in German or English and Dr. Shenka said: “I have always enjoyed singing in other languages, I have lot of fun learning to interpret the songs, and the idea of making more music in English or German has come up several times, and we think it might be a way to cross-over and have other people listen to our music, but in the end, the language doesn’t matter, it all comes down to the music, and if the music, is good, it doesn’t’ matter what language it’s in”
Having toured the world over, I asked if it feels any different for them to play in front of their compatriots in the United States and Dr. Shenka explained: “We feel that the band is more of an excuse or a vehicle for our Mexican and other Latino fans to reconnect with their roots and reaffirm their identities as Latinos and also our fans are working class people who are always more preoccupied with surviving and taking care of their families so it is also a time for them to cut loose and enjoy themselves, so there is definitely a very special feeling when we play in the U.S.”
Here are the dates and cities for the Ni Carne Ni Pescado Tour:
8/ 1 – Phoenix Music Fest – Phoenix, AZ
8/2 – Broadway Pier – San Diego, CA
8/3 – Skanking Reggae Fest – Los Angeles, CA
8/4 – The Observatory – Santa Ana, CA
8/6 – The Fillmore – San Francisco, CA
8/7 – Ace of Spades – Sacramento, CA
8/8 – Infinity Event Center – Salt Lake City, UT
8/9 – Metro – Chicago, IL
8/10 – The Fillmore – Washington D.C.
8/11 – 48th Stage – New York City
Image Credits: Panteón Rococó is getting ready to head up the U.S. for their tour.
