Punk is more alive than ever.
With seven editions built from the spirit DIY, House of Punk comes to CDMX: an experience where music, skateart and community converge under the same philosophy. In an interview, the Mexican band Smash-O spoke about the preparation behind the new edition of the event in House of Vansthe growth of the punk scene in Mexico and the meaning of staying faithful to an attitude that goes far beyond the musical genre.
Indie Rocks!: Are you ready? Are you excited? How do they feel?
Smash-O: Yes, we are ready, we are excited and very prepared. Today we are closing all the logistics. House of Punk It is an event that we do, so imagine: we are crazy with the whole issue of development and logistics. Today we are closing times with suppliers, bands, lighting, audio… everything is already prepared, all the content is ready, we already have all the guidelines on social networks. So, the truth is that we are very happy with everything that is happening right now.
GO!: Are they more worried about the event going well or being great?
S: No, the truth is that playing is cool. We have been playing for a long time and we are a band that puts a lot of effort into rehearsing and playing. And as my grandmother said… well, I don't even remember what the saying was, but those who prepare a lot, when the exam arrives, they are no longer afraid of anything.
Smash-O He's coming on tour, he's been playing a lot. We went to play in Hermosillo last weekend, we have been playing with Kung Fu Fuck throughout the Republic, we went to Teotihuacán, Querétaro, we are going to go to Puebla… then Smash-O He's like a bullet right now. The band's execution is perfect and we are practically prepared for this.
It is not the first time that we are at an event that we ourselves organized and also played; It has already happened other times, so we are prepared. The event is practically planned, so we have everything in place so that things go as smoothly as possible.
GO!: It's incredible. As you mentioned, Smash-O is a veteran band, you already know it. Since 2013, it seems to me, was when they released the first thing.
S: It's right. Since 2013 we released the first material and we have been there ever since. Look, I started playing when I was 13 years old. In 2013 I was 14. We are a band of brothers, so we have played together since we were little and we have played in quite a few bands.
From the Lunary until venues that no longer exist. We play in He Condesa Squarewe play in Nerve and now we're playing House of Vanswhich I believe comes to fill these spaces.
It is such an emblematic place, so incredible. It is a mansion with a lot of history, so being in these places is simply spectacular.
GO!: You just mentioned a lot of very iconic places where Smash-O has played, but I think this one is special. Especially if we focus on the national punk scene. So what's different about Smash-O playing something so genre-specific and specialized?
S: Well look, to start, Smash-O comes with a new EP that is already on platforms, it is called The Monster Collectionand we are going to play that entire EP that day, along with songs that the public requests from us.
Already Smash-O It has its own fans, fans who follow us at shows. “Alone”, “Treat or Trick” They are emblematic and yes or yes they belong within the setlist.
We have special surprises. We're going to have some pyrotechnics there, that's already special, so it's going to be great.
There will be a lot merch and, as such, the House of Punk There will be decorations throughout the venue: pennants, special art made by Jessica Rojaswho is the one who does precisely the flyers of the House of Punk. So we are going to fill the venue with art and there are going to be surprises.
We are also going to have a contest skate where people will be able to skate inside the House of Vans. It's going to be incredible, really.
GO!: Punk is a lifestyleyou should know better than me. You were mentioning the look; here I have the flyer in front of me and it's really cool: it has two snakes with their tongues sticking out, a lot of red, a lot of sketch style as if you were drawing in your notebook in high school. And obviously the band is not just going to listen to music, but to soak up the entire experience. I think they open doors at 4 in the afternoon, there are many bands and there is also a surprise band. So what would you say to people to convince them that they have to be there from 4 o'clock?
S: Well, we are not going to publish schedules. Just let them know that doors open at 4. Schedules are not published.
There are going to be surprises from bands and until they get to the event they are going to see the list of schedules. There you will find out what time each band plays.
What I can say is that Sputnik It's not going to close, and it's the headliner. So imagine. You can play third or fifth. That's why we invite people to arrive early.
Everyone at 4 in the afternoon so they can experience everything from the beginning.
GO!:And you were talking about the merch. I think that for all the bands that love punk and related genres, it is also important to have that piece of merch that only existed in the House of Punk 2026when they played Smash-O or Sputnik.
S: Exact. All bands are going to wear merch and we are going to bring special posters from the concert. Only on that day will the official posters of the House of Punk printed.
So, so that they have it on their radar: they will only get them that day.
We are dedicated to creating memorable experiences for people and that is something super important to us.
GO!: The merch it also ends. You said that they are going to play in full The Monster Collectionalthough it does not include the live in Argentina.
S: Now it will be a Mexico version. Look, he live of Argentina is very important because the first House of Punk It was made there. The concept was born in Argentina and then we brought it to Mexico. That is why this EP is so emblematic, because it is part of the history of the event and also of the history of Smash-O.
GO!: How many House of Punk has there been until now?
S: There have been seven editions in total; this is the seventh.
We are going to do one in Puebla and another in October in another state. The one in Puebla has already been announced and is with Kung Fu Fuck.
In Mexico City this is the only edition that will exist this year, so we invite everyone to go.
GO!: Have they already done this in House of Vans?
S: No, it is the first time we are doing it there, and we are very excited because it is a very emblematic venue, which totally goes hand in hand with the values of the House of Punk and punk rock bands.
I'm sure all bands have Vansthen it is great to live in a place as incredible as this.
GO!: How cool. And congratulations for taking the initiative to do this kind of thing. They always say “punk is dead”, but it's not true. I think it is stronger than ever and that people now understand that it is not only music, but a way of doing things. What do you notice in the punk community of Mexico City? What do you share most besides music?
Smash-O: What we share most is community. It's a brotherhood.
The main message of Smash-O and of House of Punk is that punk is more than a genre: it is an attitude. It is an attitude of wanting to do what you want.
I recently watched a movie superman where they said that punk was doing the right thing. I think it goes very hand in hand with that. Being punk is doing what you like most, what comes most to you.
The entire community of House of Punk She is convinced of that and lives the genre from there. The bands, the people and the entire event revolve around that philosophy.
In addition, the venue is going to be full of art, there will be a contest skate, merch special, unique posters… All of that is part of the experience.
GO!: All these bands on the poster are going to be there. How are the times going to be organized? Will there be breaks?
S: Yes, there will be small spaces between bands so that people can breathe a little, although not many, because in the end it is a festival and there has to be continuous music.
There are bands that will play 30 minutes, others 45. Sputnik Yes, he will give a complete set of one hour and twenty, one hour and a half.
Smash-O will play 50 minutes, We keep losing one hour, Dr Pink 40 minutes…
Everything is arranged within the general map of the festival, so it's going to be pretty cool.
GO!: And the last question. Let's imagine that this is just beginning. That the seven editions are just the beginning and that House of Punk becomes an international tradition. What bands would be your dream for future editions?
S: Look, we've been doing it for three years. House of Punkbut there are already seven editions, so for us it is already tradition.
It is already a tradition in Mexico City, in Puebla. In Argentina we did an edition and next year we are going to do another there and also in Colombia.
We also make editions in Texcoco, because we are from there and we have made the biggest ones there. Last year the poster was gigantic, with Thermo, Kung Fu Fuck…
And returning to the question: my dream would be to have Green Day.
GO!: How cool you say that. I always ask this question: do you see yourself playing at 80 years old?
S: Life is strong and has many aspects. But at the end of the day, we are very truevery loyal to our principles.
And if life allows me, I'm going to continue here until I make a fortune.
Don't be left out House of Punk this May 30, 2026. Get your tickets here!
