I first heard Las Ultrasónicas in a very unexpected way, on an episode of one of my favorite shows: Mythic Quest on Apple TV.
The song was “I’m ******* Pregnant” — and it futzing rocked. The moment was wild on screen, but it was the band that grabbed me. A female punk band from Mexico, blasting raw energy and defiance through my speakers. I had to know more.
So I went down the rabbit hole, listening to everything I could find. And it became clear fast: this is what punk music should be. Raw, loud, fearless — no polish, no posing. Just real passion, real grit.
Las Ultrasonicas are a fearless punk/garage outfit from Mexico City that exploded onto the scene in the mid-90s, tearing through gender norms with surfy riffs, riot grrrl attitude, and lyrics soaked in sarcasm, sexuality, and social bite. Blending lo-fi grit with irreverent humor, they carved out a sound that was both confrontational and unmistakably their own. Their cult-classic debut Yo fui una adolescente terrosatánica became a raw manifesto for underground Latinx punk, and after years of evolution and hiatus, the band’s return to the stage has only amplified their status as pioneers of feminist rock en español.
Three decades in, Las Ultrasónicas are still tearing it up, still fearless, still playing on their own terms. We caught up with Jenny Bombo & Rocksi of Las Ultrasónicas, and talked about their journey, the chaos, the music — and what comes next.
SNQLX: After all this time, what keeps you fired up about playing together?
JENNY: Mainly the people that follow us, that go to our concerts and sing our songs, so it is always a pleasure to play live for me.
ROCKSI: I love the energy and connection I feel with people now. Seeing so many women and how they understand our vibe is incredible. And I feel like for Jenny and me, it’s easier to write and make songs now.
Las Ultrasónicas Live at Toluca
SNQLX: Is there a show you played that was a total disaster… but you laugh about now?
JENNY: Well There isn’t a particular show that was terrible for us, but some times it’s hard to have control of everything in a live show so you basically have to work with what you’ve got and make the best of it
ROCKSI: Well, the first time Sonic Youth came to Mexico City, they wanted us to open their show. But it was the early 2000s, and people were so “true” — and most of them were men — so they didn’t like that a girl-band opened. They started throwing paper, coins, beer, and all kinds of shit they found on the floor, lmfao! But we didn’t quit and told them, “Now we’ll finish the whole set, culeros.”
SNQLX: When you think about the early days, what’s something you miss — and what’s something you definitely don’t miss?
JENNY: Well I miss that people didn’t have cell phones and they paid more attention to what was going on on stage.
I don’t miss the sexist comments some guys used to shout at us, like get naked and those kind of things, even though we always laughed about it and shout back so we never got intimidated, people now a days are more respectful.
ROCKSI: I used to have more energy, jajaja. And I felt more secure, because I definitely didn’t care about a lot of things I notice now. Like now I try to stay focused when I play, and I try not to drink before going on stage.
SNQLX: What’s been the hardest part of sticking it out this long in Mexican rock?
JENNY: The hardest part for me it is to get along with my bandmates based on what every one of us likes and wants for the band since we could have different points of view.
ROCKSI: Being ourselves, accepting we’re not super young anymore… but I still feel like I am, lol.
JENNY
…we are just girls that wanna rock and have fun…
— Jenny
ROCKSI
I think they see us as empowering women — strong, who don’t give up.
Rocksi
SNQLX: You came up DIY. What do you think young bands today have easy — and what do they have harder?
JENNY: Bands have more presence thanks to the internet so it is easier to advertise a gig or a record release.
The hard part for the bands it’s that it is harder to get noticed since There is a huge musical offer to listen to and it is easy to get lost in a sea of artists.
ROCKSI: Obviously now, the internet is a big plus — to learn, to show their music, and to meet others. But for the same reason, everything goes so fast now, there are no long-lasting hits.
SNQLX: When you play a small club vs a giant festival, what’s the real difference for you on stage?
JENNY: For me it’s great to play in either of those places, I like the big stages because you can run and jump and have fun as well as meet other bands in festivals, and in small venues it feels more intimate having the people close to you.
ROCKSI: I feel more energy and responsibility to share my vibe or mood, because I worry that the guy in the back might not enjoy the show. In a small venue, it’s more direct and close — I can see people’s reactions, and that makes me nervous.
Sound + Image, delivered weekly
We publish real artist stories and indie music moments. Get the next issue in your inbox.
Subscribe for free →No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Creative Vibes
SNQLX: How do you keep your sound fresh without losing what makes you Las Ultras?
ROCKSI: We have our own style and attitude. When we make music, we have the same essence— because we are who we are. I like that. And we think about where we wanna go with each track and the vibe that we want to transfer to the others.
JENNY: We try to stick to our style which is based on different styles mostly writing on any kind of subject from a woman’s point of view and we don’t really follow any trends but we try to sound good but rocking at the same time
SNQLX: What’s a song you play live that always gives you that hell yeah feeling, no matter how many times you’ve played it?
JENNY: There’s a couple like Vente en mi boca, No quiero un novio and our upcoming single Beso de tres
ROCKSI: I have a couple: “Necesito Acción,” “Gracias Mamá,” and “Luxor y Mohawk.”
SNQLX: New blood in the band: what’s Azyi bringing to the table that’s changed your vibe?
JENNY: She’s bringing freshness and energy to the band, She’s eager to learn more and also she’s easy to get along with.
ROCKSI: She’s faster — because of her age, and she’s a good musician guest with our band.
AZYI
Legacy & Looking Ahead
SNQLX: Do you feel like role models? Or do you just block that out and play?
JENNY: I guess we do in a certain way because a lot of girls that follow us may form a band in the future and we will be a reference and we have been a reference for already formed bands that mention us as an influence.
ROCKSI: I was surprised when we came back to play — the reaction, the love, and the place people of all ages gave us. And because of that, and what people tell us, I think they see us as empowering women — strong, who don’t give up. For me, being rational is important.
SNQLX: What’s something people always get wrong about Las Ultrasonicas?
JENNY: Some people think we are crazy girls or maneaters or that we hate men, nothing to do with what we are, we are just girls that wanna rock and have fun thats all.
ROCKSI: That we’re bad musicians, or that we’re too hardcore, jajaja — just because of the lyrics. They think we’ll say “come on to my mouth” out of nowhere or something like that, jajaja. For example, we already filmed our new video and a couple of guys said no to being in it: “My wife will get mad,” or “I’ll have problems with my ex, we’re divorcing…” Very silly comments. It was just acting, for a fun video! The new song that will be released for the video is called “Kiss of 3.”
Much love to Las Ultrasónicas for taking the time to speak with me — especially with the added challenge of doing it in English.
Their openness, humor, and no-bullshit energy came through in every answer. It’s always a gift when artists let you into their world, and even more so when they do it across language lines.
Follow Las Ultrasónicas on INSTAGRAM and FACEBOOK to stay up to date with their music!
Discover more from SONIQLOOX | Indie Music Stories
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
