NEW MEXICO

Equal parts indie rock and post-punk, New Mexico formed in San Diego, California in 2008. Originally the band was called Apes of Wrath and put out a self-titled album under that name, but after the departure of guitarist Andrew Geldmeier, the group decided to switch its name to fit a new, punkier direction. Vocalist/guitarist Rob Kent, bassist Jake Blankhead, and drummer Dustin Elliott agreed on New Mexico while at South by Southwest in 2010, based on a T-shirt worn by an attendee at their showcase. Following the EP Have You Met My Friend, keyboardist Peter Graves joined the group for touring purposes and the 2013 full-length Malpais, which was recorded the old-fashioned way, on analog tape.