Dubbed by the press as a “metal mariachi band,†Rodrigo y Gabriela is what happens when a couple of young Mexico City natives evolve from local thrash metal bandmates to acoustic guitarists with serious improvisational skills. Not only do they pick and strum—they hit (yes, hit) their guitars.
The speedy guy-and-gal guitarists’ heavy metal influences shined through their Latin-roots performance September 18 at the Grove of Anaheim.
Short story: the pair met in Mexico City as teenagers and later relocated to Dublin. There the duo’s 2006 album debuted number one on the Irish charts, beating Johnny Cash and Arctic Monkeys for the spot. Their sound—a fusion of their vast influences— metal, flamenco, folk, and jazz—is genuine, original, and eye-and-ear-opening.