World Watch: The Bolokos

Country: Guadeloupe

One doesn’t usually associate the Caribbean with punk rock. Then again, one doesn’t often find bands like The Bolokos. This trio, formed in 2009, mix their western-style punk rock with influences ranging from creole to Latin to Celtic music.

This leads to a refreshing mix that sounds true to them. Most recent single “Koute You Tann” has the rough-hewn vocals of street punk but calypso percussion that could get you dancing just as soon as moshing. Then there are some gang vocals that take it to a whole new place that I’ll let an ethnomusicologist describe, as they’ll do a far better job than me.

“Ti Kanno” starts with tribal chants, Spanish guitar and latin drum rhythms that morphs into a dark piece of folk punk. As it evolves, the song becomes a rousing singalong with some brilliant playing. And of course, the band can still bang out a fierce political punk rock track like “Factory” that would get them booked with NOFX or Bad Religion in a heartbeat.

This is probably one of the most exciting punk bands I’ve heard in a while, and you should get to know them NOW, starting with these tracks in our World Watch Playlist!