Chicano Batman, one of Los Angeles’ beloved bands with roots in Boyle Heights, has announced it will go on an indefinite hiatus at the end of the year.
The news, shared via the band’s official Instagram account, came as a surprise to many.
“Chicano Batman Family, it’s been an incredible year. Thank you for believing in us. When the year ends, Chicano Batman will be going on an indefinite hiatus. Let’s celebrate the music of the past 16 years together—con mucho amor, siempre,” the band posted.
Fans have taken to social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram to express their reactions, sharing gratitude and love for a band that has been making music since 2008.
“I realized being Mexican is the coolest thing! Thankful for all you guys did for my generation of Chicanos and developing that California sound,” one Instagram user said.
“Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened,” a Reddit user commented.
Chicano Batman, featuring Bardo Martínez from La Mirada, Eduardo Arenas from Boyle Heights, and Carlos Arévalo from Rialto, reflects a shared passion for a wide array of musical genres. The band became a trio after longtime drummer Gabriel Villa departed following the release of their 2020 album, “Invisible People.”
In interviews, guitarist Carlos Arévalo mentions that the band members bonded over their admiration for iconic acts such as Mexican rock legends Café Tacvba, Brazilian artist Caetano Veloso and the 1960s Tropicália movement.
The band’s distinctive funky sound is influenced by a variety of artists, from The Beatles to Black soul musicians like Curtis Mayfield and The Delfonics, while blending elements of funk, R&B, Latin soul, bossa nova and psychedelia.
This eclecticism reflects the band’s diverse backgrounds, with Martínez being half Colombian and half Mexican, Arenas being Mexican-American and Arévalo of Salvadoran and Mexican descent.
Chicano Batman has a dozen shows left in its 2024 tour, including a few in Mexico, and the rest in California. A stop in Pomona is scheduled for Nov. 1 and 2. Tickets can be purchased here.