Return of The Tijuana Bibles w Thunder Glove & Danger! Death Ray

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they’re back from the grave! After retiring undefeated in 2007, the champagne of lucha libre rock n roll bands have decided to step into the ring once more, with their potent mix of surf, garage and punk rock. After three full-length albums, one 10” mini album, numerous 7” singles and five European tours, it seemed like these Toronto-based tormentors were relegated to the hall of fame, but when the idea of a “Best Of” album that had been circulating for years came to fruition, it was time to lace up the masks once again. Not just a standard band, they inhabit a rich world of their own bizarre mythology.

The fun machine that is the “Cadillac of Masked Bands” created new dance crazes like “Gorilla Stomp”, bragged of their own hypeness in “Custom Made Man”, and broached the topic of lust in the ring in “Suplex.” Most songs on Undefeated: The Best Of don’t pull any punches, but the softer atmospheric instrumental numbers like “Haji” and “Sleep Mask” harken back to the origins of the band as soundtrack-makers for filmmaker Stacey Case’s infamous late-90’s Parkdale Wrestler films. These tracks offer a respite between the musical beat down of the anthemic “Pain Train” and Damned-esque “Sexo Caliente”. Throughout the aughts they traveled from Mexico to Norway to Serbia, were introduced at garage fest Cave Stomp NYC 2001 by none other than Nuggets compiler (and Patti Smith guitarist) Lenny Kaye, who gave them his stamp of approval, put out their own x-rated comics (which they share their namesake with) and hosted their own garage fest called Take Out The Trash in 2004.

They even re-recorded The Wolfman Theme from Hilarious House of Frightenstein for DVD and cable broadcast used on every episode of this twisted Billy Van TV masterpiece, not to mention the theme for the tv show The Naked News. In other words, these scrappy grappling Canadians covered some serious ground in their pre-social media time and are back to defend their title from any challengers, and show the kids how it’s done. Not just a Toronto-centric phenom, they have collaborated with Mexican illustrators, labels and bands in the past, and the new LP features killer artwork by Mexico City tattoo artist Amrastyle. Released by Hyperopia Records, Undefeated… will be out on 12” vinyl in October 2024, and will be supported by the Bibles with Halloween shows featuring original members.

Event Host

Lou Molinaro Presents