Mexican Slum Rats can be categorized as an emo-jazz fusion rock band. Initially starting as a death metal band, founding members Ben and Kevin do not categorize the band as anything other than Music. Inspired by jam bands, acoustic, noise-drone outfits (not) alike and everything in between, the band has too much of anything in their music for anyone to pin the sound and say, "this is where they belong". However this is where the band finds its best footing, standing amongst its own prowess of sound, delivering their own experience, never doing the same things twice, and always trying to push the envelope. Tucked away in the San Fernando Valley, a city known for being Los Angeles' forgotten little sibling, Mexican Slum Rats have always carried this notion of having more to prove. From producing their own music, designing their own art for flyers and album covers, the band has always had a knack for control.
"The Mexican Slum Rats, who just recently released a new single “HIVEMIND,” are masters at composing songs one can feel to their core, balancing tranquility with chaos — a perfect mixture that is only heightened by their expressive instrumentals." - USC Daily Trojan
Singing from the heart of Southern California, MSR are only growing more confident in their sound, finding new ways to incite emotion in their fans. Truly, the biggest sign of a band’s success is their willingness to explore and challenge the impossible. As lead singer Kevin Villalba said, it only seems like Mexican Slum Rats will continue to “push the envelope.” - CSUSM The Cougar Chronicle
Selling out their first three headlining shows, packing a venue out with such heat and movement that the venue needed to install new AC units after, the band is no stranger to first impressions. Besides headlining, they have shared the stage with notable artists such as Death from Above 1979, The Front Bottoms, Beach Fossils, The Red Pears, and DogStar to name a few. Mexican Slum Rats are five members: Kevin Villalba on vocals/guitar, Benjamin Schlesinger on second guitar, Raco Mendoza on percussion, Sebastian Felix on bass, and Matt Shulman on saxophone. Together they create an environment of overwhelming emotion.
