The Bronx's swaggering interpretation of hardcore punk found them a quick audience in Los Angeles, where guitarist Joby J. Ford, bassist James Tweedy, vocalist Matt Caughthran, and drummer Jorma Vik founded the band in 2002. Known for a blistering live show, the quintet attracted attention from major labels after only a handful of performances. An offer from Island/Def Jam materialized after the Bronx's 12th gig, but the band decided to issue several recordings on its own label, White Drugs, before partnering with a major. Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke helped the Bronx compose an intense rock sound for their first demo, and the band's debut, The Bronx, appeared in August 2003 via the Ferret Records label. Three years later, a second self-titled album marked the band's first effort for Island Records, and the band supported its release by joining Priestess, the Riverboat Gamblers, and Wires on Fire on the WHODOYOUVOODOO Tour.nnThe quintet then parted ways with Island and issued a third eponymous release, unofficially known as The Bronx III, with help from Original Signal Recordings. Also in 2006, after being asked to play an acoustic set, the Bronx gave their sound a new spin, shifting from hardcore to Latin sounds. This led to the formation of alter ego band Mariachi el Bronx, who made their recorded debut in 2009. In 2013, a fourth volume of proper Bronx material arrived. IV leaned more toward a polished hard rock approach than the group's earlier, punkier sound. The band returned to their mariachi incarnation for 2011's Mariachi El Bronx, and 2014's record of the same name. In 2016 they put out a live album called Mariachi Bronx Live Cuts: Live at the Teragram Ballroom and the Independent, Dec 2015. That same year, drummer Vik announced he was leaving the band. He was replaced by David Hidalgo, Jr. In 2017 the Bronx resumed their original form for their fifth record. The 11-track BRVNX, released in September of that year, was preceded by the lead singles "Sore Throat" and "Two Birds." ~ Andrew Leahey & MacKenzie Wilson