Though I haven’t been around for much of Pelada’s reign across Montreal’s scene, it’s hard to go anywhere without hearing them mentioned.
Comprised of Chris Vargas (vocals) and Tobias Rochman (instrumentalist, producer), Pelada has long been known for their unique blend of tense, almost punk-inspired influences alongside more danceable club tracks.
Pelada has created an impressive legacy over 10 years of performing—which is why it was sad to hear that Palomosa was Pelada’s last ever set. The pair put on a rousing performance, especially considering their early time slot and the never ending rain. Vargas is ferocious on the mic, growling in Spanish and English with a frenetic, ever-climbing energy that makes them impossible to ignore.
Gritty and piercing, each pointed phrase cuts into us like a knife, with Pelada’s already-intense energy only elevated by the knowledge that it’s the last time. Like a cloud heavy with acid rain, there’s an impending overhang when Pelada is onstage, with Vargas’ larger-than-life persona perfectly supported by Rochman’s grungy, skillful instrumentation.
In the final moments of what I suppose is Pelada’s final performance as a duo, Vargas led the crowd in chants of “Palestina Libre!”. Where a lesser artist might have taken this moment to hear their name chanted one final time, this powerful gesture just shows that the punk rock vitality at the core of Pelada was never just for show. In the end, Palomosa offered a worthy send-off to the unforgettable life and work of Pelada.
