Protest song on the airwaves 12-hours after being recorded

"I just couldn't take it anymore," is what Hector Saldana, the lead singer and songwriter of the Texas band The Krayolas said recently. "Probable cause cannot be based on the color of your skin, or your accent or the food you eat or the clothes you wear."

Saldana was referring to the the recently passed Arizona law based on S.B. 1070 which calls for law enforcement within the state to stop people on the suspicion that they are in the country illegally. The bill has drawn the ire of the Mexican-American community not only in Arizona but across the entire United States and further. Recently, the Mexican Government issued a travel warning to its citizens against going to the State of Arizona.

Hector was already irritated with the racist remarks coming out of the city of Dallas, Texas during the San Antonio Spurs / Dallas Mavericks first round match up in this years NBA Playoffs. He is referring to the "dirty Mexicans" remark tweeted by former Major Leaguer Mike Bacsik who's claim to fame was giving up the hit that set the home run record for Barry Bonds.

Then Arizona's S.B. 1070 passed and Hector gathered his brother David and their longtime band mate Van Baines and stepped into the famed Blue Cat Studios with Producer Joe Trevino. "Last week the "Dirty Mexican" tweet from Dallas," Hector said recently "combined with Arizona S.B. 1070, I rushed into the studio."

What emerged was a protest song that is sure to get as much attention if not more than last years acclaimed hit "Corrido Twelve Heads in A Bag". "1070 (I'm Your Dirty Mexican)" was receiving airplay just 12-hours after being cut.

The politically charged bilingual rock 'n' roll single was recorded by the Original Krayolas featuring Hector on lead vocals and electric bass, David Saldana on drums/back up vocals and Van Baines on electric guitar/back up vocals. It is the first time that only the original Krayolas have appeared on a recording since their very first single "All I Do Is Try."

As for the lyrics, Hector enlisted the aid of mom, Hilda Guerrero. "My mom helped me get the lyrics just right—very poetic-with a hint of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," Saldana said. "I think the imagery about silence and the night and the road that never changes are interesting metaphors for the plight of Latinos."

The "Tex-Mex Beatles" caught the attention of SIRUS Radio DJ Dave Marsh and are regulars on his show "Kick Out The Jams as well as "Little Steven's Underground Garage." They have been featured on NPR's "All Things Considered", had a major writeup in Texas Monthly and have been compared to such artists as Alejandro Escovedo, Doug Sahm, Bob Dylan, the Kinks and Los Lobos.

You can catch the song (and even request it) on KEDA 1540 "Radio Jalapeno" and on the San Antonio College station KSYM 90.1.

The Krayolas are playing Beethoven Mannerchor on Alamo Street for First Friday celebrations.