DS Show Review: Skalloween with La Pobreska, Los Rudos, Undisputed World Champions, and Trinidad Suave in Riverside, CA (10/11/25)
Smelvis Records nailed it again with their annual Skalloween show and for it’s 24th year, it was a celebration of all things spooky, Spanish, and skanking. There was also a costume contest, so dressing up was encouraged which was awesome to see so many characters ripping it up in the pit. So if you were wondering, Beetlejuice, Spider-Punk, Nacho Libre, and Shrek are all ska fans!
Based in the Inland Empire, Romano’s Chicago Pizzeria is located inside a Riverside shopping center. You would never guess that attached to it is a perfect intimate venue for punk shows. I thought we were at the wrong place until I saw people standing outside in costumes. The creativity was mind blowing and the energy was unmatchable. It wasn’t just the crowd either. The stage was decorated with skeletons, creepy dolls, and all kinds of Halloween props.
The first band to play was Trinidad Suave from South Central, and immediately the entire crowd was jumping. They played for about 45 minutes and frequently brought up current political/societal issues, while giving advice on how to deal with them, which is one thing I deeply appreciate. Then they gave the stage to Undisputed World Champions.
Undisputed World Champions turned up in bulletproof vests, keeping the energy with their amazing sound and stage presence. Their front man really knows how to control a crowd. Even when they switched it up and shocked everyone by doing a cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall”, the audience was still intrigued… they were that good! After their 45 minutes was the next band on the lineup, Los Rudos, a Spanish ska core band playing in their hometown. They were insanely talented. Their technical skill was awesome but it was the bass lines that really stole my heart and left me eager for more.
Finally, it was time for the headliner and after an anticipating warm up, La Pobreska started out the set with their song “El Inmigrante“. The entire room collided in a beautiful chaos. Those are some damn talented musicians. Each one of them, from the vocalists, to the trombonists, are so fluent yet so intense in everything they do. And the crowd was brutal to say the least. Especially during “Hasta La Victoria“, “Rebeldia“, and “Las Cruces de Tijuana“. It was over an hour of raw substance, movement, and passion. Their onstage energy and presence is so excellently symbolic, it is a must see.
Smelvis Records 24th annual Skalloween was a night full of outright love and solidarity. Seriously this was one of the most unified crowds I’ve ever been in. I already can’t wait until next years.