Los Kung-Fu Monkeys – Rudeboy Rockers

Canadian-Mexican ska-punks Los Kung-Fu Monkeys are the definition of a hard working band.  Lesser known in Ango-America due to their native tongue (they sing in Spanish), the band has grown a global reputation from their Tijuana base.  Having shared the stage with the likes of Voodoo Glow Skulls, The Planet Smashers, Rude City Riot and a host of like-minded ska-punk acts, the industrious sextet has caught the eye of a growing English audience.  Maximizing on their momentum, Los Kung-Fu Monkeys are back with a mostly English album, Rudeboy Rockers, released on one of North America’s most active homes to ska-punk, Stomp Records.

Los Kung-Fu Monkeys play a familiar brand of well documented third wave ska-punk.  Drawing the bulk of their inspiration from the likes of Buck-O-Nine, Less Than Jake and The Planet Smashers, the band operates on a foundation of upstrokes and bouncing brass.  While there’s nothing overly remarkable about the mechanics of it all, Los Kung-Fu Monkeys tap into the pure energy and jubilation that goes hand in hand with the genre.  “Taking It Easy” trumpets the happy go lucky, life of a skanker, hopping along  at a steady pace as the carefree message of laughing in the face of misfortune plays out.  The positive vibes keep on rolling with the lazy day pace of tracks like “Stretch Your Hand” or hazy backyard burner, “It Takes Time,” which takes a nod from The Slackers’ smooth, organ-drown rhythms.  The “punk” aspect of Los Kung-Fu Monkeys rears its head with the snapping drum beat and raised tempo of quick tunes like “See You In The End” and “Walking Outside,” and the sloppy street-punkish vocals propelling “Move On” alongside an array of keys and saxophone.

A few Spanish language tracks pepper the track listing (“Mas Que Ruido,” “Tijuana es mi Hogar”) to remind listeners of their origins, but their brief and spread out occurrence offers an insightful glimpse without compromising Rudeboy Rockers’ obvious Anglophone target or alienating their existing fanbase.

Los Kung-Fu Monkeys keep the ska-punk party alive and  kicking well across Rudeboy Rockers’ formidable 13 song tracklist.   As far as a broad introduction to Los Kung-Fu Monkeys goes, Rudeboy Rockers is a rambunctious, high-energy affair.  The band doesn’t take that many risks to set them apart from their peers, but their obvious love for the various facets of ska-punk is infectious in its own right.  There’s always room for another fast-paced, feel-good record like Rudeboy Rockers in any ska-punk enthusiast’s collection.