Chuco Punk: Sonic Insurgency in El Paso

by Tara López

An immersive study of the influential and predominantly Chicanx punk rock scene in El Paso, Texas. Punk rock is known for its daring subversion, and so is the West Texas city of El Paso. In Chuco Punk , Tara López dives into the rebellious sonic history of the city, drawing on more than seventy interviews with punks, as well as unarchived flyers, photos, and other punk memorabilia. Connecting the scene to El Paso's own history as a borderland, a site of segregation, and a city with a long lineage of cultural and musical resistance, López throws readers into the heat of backyard punx shows, the chaos of riots in derelict mechanic shops, and the thrill of skateboarding on the roofs of local middle schools. She reveals how, in this predominantly Chicanx punk rock scene, women forged their own space, sound, and community. Covering the first roots of Chuco punk in the late 1970s through the early 2000s, López moves beyond the breakout bands to shed light on how the scene influenced not only the contours of sound and El Paso but the entire topography of punk rock.

Genres: Music, History, Nonfiction

208 pages, Paperback

Published June 4, 2024

Reviews

[Scott Satterwhite]

Excellent history of the El Paso punk scene, but also of El Paso and the city's rich Chicanx culture. Where Tara Lopez shined was all of the personal anecdotes and stories--such as the Rugburn Riot and the cross-border shows in Juarez--along with those of the many bands that shaped the scene. While At the Drive In is prominent, it was cool to hear about others like Sbitch. Race and gender are front and center in this text, but so is the music. A true page turner, Lopez's book will be one of the prominent works for years to come in the history of Texas punk, Chicanx punk, Texas music, and borderland studies. Excellent book.

[Samantha Skory]

As a very proud El Pasoan, it was so refreshing to see my city’s name not associated with cartel violence or immigration issues but with this bright and bursting passion for community, justice, and a sense of belonging encapsulated in punk rock. It was such a fun read and I was constantly looking up and listening to songs as they were mentioned in the book. It’s surreal to recognize names of el pasoans that I am family friend with but had no idea of their role in this movement. While I was a bit too young to experience the ATDI and Mars Volta era, this book made me give them (and all the wonderful bands mentioned in this book) a much needed second listen and I am truly a convert. The movement in this book is especially pertinent in this upside down world and im excited to bring the rascuache spirit to my future community organizing plans. Bring back the justified anger and as always, proud to be from El Paso.

Amazing book, it will be staying with me.

[Bianca]

3.5

Probably better suited to someone from El Paso but informative and easy to follow nonetheless. Just a little repetitive. Really enjoyed the chapters focusing on feminism in punk and the femicides in Juarez. Punk is for the people. Also, San Antonio sucks. Lol.