Caramelos de Cianuro

People tend to give Argentina the most props for developments in Latin rock. Bands from that country, such as Soda Stereo and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, garnered widespread attention not only in their homeland but also all across Latin America. Farther north, though, Venezuela offers more in the way of valuable entertainment exports than just the frequently released video proof of... ahem, president Hugo Chávez's utter and irreconcilable looniness. See longtime rockers of guitar-driven baina, such as Enanitos Verdes and Caramelos de Cianuro, which boast storied 18-year careers and continue rocking today.

Caramelos de Cianuro, who will headline at Kukaramakara this Thursday, formed in 1991 and debuted their first full-length album, Cuentos Para Adultos (Tales for Adults), in 1994. Nearly two decades later, half the personnel has changed. Drummer Pablo Martinez left the group in 2002, opening the way for Alfonso Tosca, and Pavel "el Ruso" Tello replaced Luis Barrios on bass. The two remaining original members, vocalist Asier Cazalis and guitarist Miguel "el Enano" Gonzalez, round out the foursome, which rocks just as hard as the band did nearly 20 years ago.