The Bronx seem to like to fuck with people’s heads. They’re from Los Angeles, but named themselves after a borough of New York. They’ve released two self-titled albums (not Bronx 1 or Bronx 2, mind you, just The Bronx) with a third on the way, which— you guessed it—is titled The Bronx. But just when you thought their shit was getting stale, the hardcore rockers have decided to release two albums of the same material, only one will be entirely in the style of mariachi. (That’s Mexican street music to you, amigo!) Gasoline sat down with lead singer Matt Caughthran to find out why.

G: You’re working on a new record now but you’re also doing a mariachi record. Will this be a two-disc package or sold separately?

MC: Definitely two different releases. Different animals require separate cages. However, the vinyl will be a double-record set: artwork and music of both records welded together using space age technology.

G: Will the mariachi record be under the name The Bronx?

MC: That's a negative. The record will be self-titled under the clever moniker of... El Bronx.

G: What instruments do you all play on the mariachi Record?

MC:I sing my white ass off. Jorma plays bad-ass drums and percussion. Brad plays trumpet, Ken plays an emotional guitar, Joby plays a slew of miniature guitars, and Vincent plays the big ol’ guitaron, which is basically the Shaquille O’Neal of instruments.

G: Are there guest musicians?

MC: Yes. Mr. Alfredo Ortiz [Beastie Boys] played some nasty percussion and David Hidalgo [Los Lobos] played accordion and guitar on a couple tracks.

G: Will there ever be a tour for the mariachi band?

MC: Oh yes. Full-band tour, rotating Bronx/El Bronx. Were gonna do whatever feels good to do.

G: What inspired you to venture this far out of your genre and do this record? I thought for you it might be more about dressing up and wearing a mean moustache?

MC: I do enjoy dressing up, and everybody loves a good moustache. However, the thought process behind this record was just following the lead of creative nature. This record just kind of poured out of us. I'm extremely proud if it. This is the type of band we have always wanted to be: a band that does whatever the fuck it wants to do. We follow what feels good, what feels honest. We do it with style and original creative passion.

G: What can we expect for the new record? Will it devastate in decibels, or are you getting soft on us?

MC: The new Bronx will not debut at #1 on the Billboard chart. It will, however, kill you.

G: Do you have a working title for the new release?

MC: All releases be self-titled: Bronx 3.

G: What is the street date?

MC: Not quite sure. Summer would be nice.

G: You’ve recently built your own studio. Will you be doing the entire record there or just the pre-pro?

MC: The whole enchilada will be written and recorded at our studio, Big Game Lodge. Feel that.

G: Who’s producing this record?

MC: An awesome man named Dave Schiffman. He's an amazing engineer and a lawn dart champion.

G:Can you describe the look and feel of the new studio? Has it set the mood for the new record? I heard it was filled with taxidermy to help bring out the sweet tones of the guitars. Is this true?

MC: The studio is nice, life is not. This record will be our meanest in nature yet, a musical bully that takes your lunch money and then pees in your locker.

G:You’ve always had funny-ass low budget videos for somewhat serious songs. Do you think the videos for the upcoming major label release will follow in the same vein?

MC: Yeah. Our friend Mike Pitchitelli does all our videos. I probably murdered his last name, but that doesn’t mean he isn't great at what he does.

G: You guys have a good sense of humour. Is this a conscious thing to break up the aggressive nature of some of the songs, or is it just how you roll?

MC: Just how we roll. We are some pretty squirrelly dudes. When you've been through all the shit we've been through, you can't help but laugh about it.

G: What’s each guys role in the band? Who’s the ladies man, who’s the shy guy, and who pisses his pants at the end of a night of partying?

MC: Well, we all started going to the gym together as of late. Just trying to keep our "top of the food chain" status relevant in today’s dog-fuck-dog world. Joby will usually sneak in some wine and hang out in the co-ed Jacuzzi, blabbering to anyone who will listen about how he's "Number 1.” Brad walks for about ten minutes on the treadmill and then proceeds to tell everyone how he ran ten miles and is exhausted. I tend to roam around the free weight area eye hunting for a sweaty, twitchy, she-male muscle machine that needs a good "spotting.” Jorma walks around the gym in his Saturday night clothes forcing awkward eye contact with any female that has what he calls a "tail.” And Ken just rotates between the sauna and the locker room pretending to be an overstressed Japanese business man, but in reality he's just waiting for a towel to drop so he can take mental pictures and then head home to hang upside down in his sex basket.