Chingon (band)
# Chingon (band)

Chingon is a band from Austin, Texas. Their sound is heavily influenced by Mexican rock, mariachi, ranchera, and Texan rock 'n roll music.

## History

Chingon was formed by film director Robert Rodriguez to record songs for his 2003 film Once Upon a Time in Mexico. They contributed to Mexico and Mariachis, a compilation album from Rodriguez' Mariachi Trilogy, and released their debut album, Mexican Spaghetti Western, in 2007. The band's name comes from a Mexican slang term, chingón, loosely but closely enough meaning "badass" and/or "the shit".

Chingon also contributed the song "Malagueña Salerosa" to Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill Volume 2 — which Rodriguez scored — and a live performance by the band was included on the film's DVD release. They also contributed to the soundtrack for his next film, a collaboration with Tarantino, Grindhouse, doing a cover of the film's opening theme, re-titling it "Cherry's Dance of Death". Rodríguez plays guitar in the band. The band has also made an appearance on "George Buys a Vow", an episode of the US sitcom George Lopez.

On December 12, 2015, Chingon performed as the house band for Lucha Underground during a Season Two taping. Rodriguez is an Executive Producer for the series and it airs on his network, El Rey Network.

## Band members

* Robert Rodriguez – guitar
* Alex Ruiz – vocals
* Mark del Castillo – guitar, vocals
* Rick del Castillo – guitar, vocals
* Albert Besteiro – bass guitar
* Carmelo Torres – percussion
* Mike Zeoli – drums

When playing without Robert Rodriguez, the band is known as Del Castillo.

Guest artists include:

* Patricia Vonne (Rodriguez's sister co-wrote and performed on "Severina")
* Salma Hayek (performed "Siente Mi Amor")
* Tito Larriva (wrote and performed "Alacran y Pistolero")
* Nataly Pena

## Discography

### Albums

* Mexican Spaghetti Western (2004)

### Soundtrack appearances

* Once Upon a Time in Mexico (2003)
* Mexico and Mariachis (2004)
* Kill Bill Volume 2 (2004)
* Grindhouse: Planet Terror (2007)
* Hell Ride (2008)
* Machete (2010)
