Latin Band ILL NINO Reacts To Immigration Law Protests

As bilingual Latin metal band ILL NINO prepares to embark on a 28-city major market U.S. tour aimed at cities with strong Latino communities, members of the politically and socially conscious New Jersey sextet paused to comment on today's nationwide protests of Congress' attempts to toughen immigration laws.

"Hispanics just want to be appreciated for the work they do in America, and not viewed as second class citizens," said lead singer Cristian Machado, amid rehearsals for ILL NINO's "One Nation Undivided Tour", supporting their politically relevant album, "One Nation Underground". The album, released last fall on Roadrunner Records, is about society being controlled and divided through all sorts of different influences — both internal and external — and realizing that there are external forces keeping too many things hidden from the general populace. The music on "One Nation Underground" reflects the savagery, rage, disillusionment, beauty and melancholy the band members feel from within, while staying true to their Latin roots.

"Here in the U.S. the reality is that most of the work done by Hispanics — Latinos, whatever you may call us — is quite honestly the type of labor that most Americans wouldn't do for the wages that the Latino community works for," Machado continues And don't forget — many of the Latinos living and working in the U.S. are also U.S. citizens, many whom are born in this country.

"From a logical standpoint, who is really to blame for a wage issue, an employee or an employer?" Machado asks. "Simply put, we are overworked, underpaid, and used as a scapegoat for our current financial woes.

"The U.S. should be attacking much bigger economic problems like welfare and unemployment — not to mention foreign affairs. The U.S. is a country founded by people who migrated from other countries. I can understand making our border security tighter, and even building that wall, but to criminalize people who have been working in the U.S. for such a long time is completely un-American. Hopefully there will be a resolution in which all parties involved can find comfort."

Joining ILL NINO on the "One Nation Undivided" tour will be fellow New Jersey metal band GOD FORBID, as well as SILENT CIVILIAN (featuring former SPINESHANK lead singer Jonny Santos),EYES OF FIRE and BLEED THE SKY — all hand-picked by ILL NINO. The mayhem begins May 10 in New York City and continues through June 10 in ILL NINO's home state of New Jersey.

ILL NINO "One Nation Undivided" 28-city U.S. tour:

May 10 - Avalon - New York, NY
May 11 - Axis - Boston, MA
May 12 - NorVa - Norfolk, VA
May 13 - Roxy - Atlanta, GA
May 14 - House of Blues - Orlando, FL
May 16 - State Theater - St. Petersburg, FL
May 17 - House of Blues - New Orleans, LA
May 18 - Warehouse Live - Houston, TX
May 19 - The Back Room - Austin, TX
May 20 - Galaxy Club - Dallas, TX
May 21 - Southbeach - Amarillo, TX
May 23 - Marquee Theatre - Tempe, AZ
May 24 - Soma - San Diego, CA
May 25 - House of Blues - West Hollywood, CA
May 26 - New Oasis - Reno, NV
May 27 - Club Boom - Ogden, UT
May 28 - Gothic Theatre - Englewood, CO
Jun. 01 - Vic Theater - Chicago, IL
Jun. 03 - Machine Shop - Flint, MI
Jun. 04 – Peabody's - Cleveland, OH
Jun. 06 - Crocodile Rock - Allentown, PA
Jun. 07 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Jun. 08 - Webster Theatre - Hartford, CT