Chicano Batman wants you to know that ‘Freedom Is Free’

Bardo Martinez and Co. knock down walls with the power of music

By Bill Kopp Friday March 10, 2017 04:55 PM EST

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With the title track off its third album, Freedom is Free, Los Angeles-based Chicano Batman is making groove-filled music while commenting on one of the most controversial topics on today’s political landscape. When the band’s lead vocalist Bardo Martinez sings, “Nobody cares to extend a greeting aid connecting lands,” he’s weighing in on immigration policies that involve the planned construction of a massive Berlin-style wall along the U.S.-Mexico border.

But the band is careful not to lay the entire blame for xenophobia on the current occupant of the White House. “Regardless of who would have been the president, the topics are still the same,” says Chicano Batman bassist Eduardo Arenas.In fact, the song wasn’t written specially to address Trump’s “big beautiful wall” at all. “We recorded the album one year ago,” Arenas says, “and it has been in the works for a year and a half.”Still, Arenas believes that “a lot of policies, especially a lot of these new executive orders, are coming out of a fear for the unknown.” But “Freedom is Free” conveys a definite sense of hope, and a clear focus on the idea of togetherness. “No amount of negativity can put a dent in me,” Bardo sings.

“Here we are talking about the world and our political atmosphere,” Arenas says, because “our ideologies are us as people.”

But the band, whose music combines a late ’60s psychedelic soul vibe with elements of tropicalia and rock, isn’t about polemics. There’s a healthy sense of humor emanating from the group, beginning with its name. “Chicano Batman was just a pet name that Bardo had given himself for his compositions,” Arenas says.

It was part of the plan: pick a name, get a project started and go make some music.
While the core band features Bardo and Arenas along with guitarist Carlos Arévalo and drummer Gabriel Villa, the songs on Freedom is Free (ATO Records) feature more instrumentation. Close-harmony female vocals are a key ingredient in many of the songs as well. For live dates on Chicano Batman’s current 30-plus date U.S. tour, the band features an expanded lineup. “We’re going to be a seven-piece on the road,” Arenas says. Three female vocalists are touring with the group. “One of them plays the Rhodes and the organ, so we’ve definitely added a different dimension to our live act.”

The group cuts a memorable and striking visual image, with matching ruffled-shirt tuxedos. But Chicano Batman remains primarily focused on the music. Arenas and his bandmates are proud of Freedom is Free. “When you present the songs on an album, it’s an album,” Arenas says. “But when you see us live, it’s playtime.”
Chicano Batman plays the Earl on Tue., March 21, with 79.5, SadGirl, and La Choloteca DJs. $12-$15. 8 p.m. Tue., March 21. The Earl, 488 Flat Shoals Ave SE. 404-522-3950. www.badearl.com.