Onda De The Survival

The Mexican band The Survival focused on crafting a blend of blues and acid rock, drawing influence from the U.S. West Coast movement as well as British blues artists like John Mayall and Cream. They have often been described as a mix of Country Joe and the Fish, Quicksilver Messenger Service, Moby Grape, and Ten Years After. The group formed in August 1970 and recorded a single album, "La onda de The Survival" (1971), which combined laid-back blues with distortion. One distinctive feature was that lead vocals were handled by drummer Andres Lusher--an unusual choice that gave the band a unique sonic identity. The album captured the spirit of the time, portraying generational shifts, repression of youth, fraternity, pacifism, and the influence of drugs. The song titles hint at these themes: Side A opens with 'Old People' (also known as "gente vieja"), a critique of their parents' generation for failing to understand young people; 'The World is a Bomb,' built on a repetitive, almost unchanging riff; What the World Needs is Union'; 'Inspiration Blues'; and 'Electric Chair.' Despite its title, 'Ending Blues' kicks off Side B, followed by 'Disturbance,' where explosions and sirens underscore a call for coexistence among people from different backgrounds. 'Cannabis Lady' presents marijuana as a means of expanding the mind and reaching altered states of consciousness, while also acknowledging the fear of addiction. The album closes with 'Nothing's Monument' and 'Useless Warfare,' critiques of materialism and war. When the record was released, the censorship that followed the Avandaro festival had not yet fully taken hold, allowing the band to perform in various cities across Mexico, including the capital. Despite their brief existence, The Survival and their sole album remain a significant testament to the "onda chicana," a historical moment when Mexican youth picked up instruments to voice their reality, survive censorship, and leave a lasting mark on the history of Mexican rock.