Molotov, three decades without turning down the volume

The Mexican rock band Molotov will perform on October 25th at the Nuevo Progreso Bullring at 9:00 PM as part of their Txxxour 30th Anniversary tour, commemorating three decades of career. The celebration comes at a time of reunions, internal adjustments, and reflections on the road ahead, but also with the intact energy of a band that continues to fill venues in Mexico and abroad.

Bassist and vocalist Paco Ayala acknowledged, in an interview with EL INFORMADOR , that reaching 30 years as a band is an achievement that still surprises them. “The official anniversary was on September 23rd. We were just on a day off after several concerts, and we were grateful for it; surprised to have made it this far, with the same desire to get up on stage and play rock and roll.”

For Molotov, the story hasn't been easy: lineup changes, criticism, censorship, and even bans have all been part of their journey. However, Ayala emphasizes that the connection with the audience has been the key to staying relevant. "Each show reminds us why we're still here. The people who accompany us day after day at the concerts are what keep us alive."

The Return of Jay de la Cueva

One of the most talked-about moments of this new era has been the addition of Jay de la Cueva as guitarist. Although he was part of the band in the beginning, his return took on a special meaning.

“He's very fun and interesting. I was the one who interacted with him the least musically, because when I joined, he left. Now he's joined as a guitarist, and the rapport has been fantastic. He's a super-pro musician and is committed. We had a great time on stage,” Ayala said.

The reunion was sealed last March, during Vive Latino, where Jay performed again with the group. Since then, the shows have flowed with the same irreverence and camaraderie that has always distinguished the group.

It's worth noting that Jay's return and the celebratory mood open up the possibility of new material. However, Ayala notes that there are no immediate plans for now due to the intensity of the tour.

"We haven't thought about rehearsing because the tour has exhausted us, but at some point we'll throw out ideas. Someone always suggests the first rehearsal, and we go from there. If new music comes out, it will be interesting," he said.

Unconventional essays

Unlike most bands, Molotov has never had a fixed rehearsal space. This has shaped their way of working and their style.

“People don't believe it later, but we've never had a rehearsal space. For Vive Latino, we rehearsed a couple of times: one acoustically and another with a band in Mikey's living room. The thing is, we play so much that we don't need to. When we record an album, we put the songs together in transcriptions, then we record them, and then we've played them live about 50 times,” Ayala explained.

This method has proven to be effective, although he admits that sometimes he misses the coexistence that comes with a fixed location. “It would be cool to get together like other bands, but our dynamic has always been like this.”

It's worth noting that the team's relationship goes beyond work. Although each member has their own personal lives, they maintain constant communication, even during their days off.

“We see each other so much that, when we have days off, we each take advantage of the time to spend with our family or our partners. Even so, we still keep in touch: there's always friendship, respect... and, of course, there's always the memes, that's the rule,” he said, laughing.

Tito Fuentes prioritizes his health

The band's guitarist, Tito Fuentes, is currently undergoing rehabilitation, which keeps him away from the stage. His absence is felt within the group, but it has also strengthened the bonds of camaraderie among the members. According to Ayala, the band has shown complete respect for their bandmate's personal journey, giving him space and support while he focuses on his recovery.

"He himself said: he's retired for now, focused on his health and well-being. We fully support him and are moving forward with the tour, committed to celebrating these 30 years with the people," Ayala shared.

Despite Fuentes' hiatus, the rest of the group keeps the energy alive on stage. For them, continuing the tour is not only a way to honor his career, but also a way to pay tribute to Tito himself and the history they've built together.

The setlist challenge

One of the biggest challenges has been defining the repertoire for each concert. With so many albums and hits under my belt, it's not easy to please everyone.

“I don't know at what point I was in charge of putting together the setlists, and it's complicated. There are songs we don't want to play anymore, but we understand that people pay a ticket to hear them. We also include songs that weren't radio hits but work very well live. That's how we achieve a balance,” he explained.

Although it's not a personal satisfaction, Ayala admits he enjoys the current setlist. "It's a review of all our albums, and I'm happy with what we're playing. We'll have a long show in Guadalajara."

Memories of Guadalajara

Molotov's relationship with the Guadalajara public goes back a long way. "We always have a great time. We have many friends, great musicians, and memories of the festivals. Guadalajara always welcomes us very well, and returning is something we really enjoy," Ayala recalled.

The concert at the Nuevo Progreso Bullring will mark a special moment for the band. The sheer size of the venue represents a production challenge and, at the same time, an opportunity to reconnect with an audience that has been with them since the beginning.

“It’s been a while since we last performed there, and it’s great to be able to do it again in such a cool place.”

"We remain grateful, surprised, and eager to rock out. That's what we celebrate at every concert: that after 30 years, we're still here, together, and with the band that accompanies us," Ayala concluded.