Inspector

Inspector is a Mexican ska band formed in 1995 in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Led by vocalist Jesús "Padrino" Arriaga and featuring key members like keyboardist Homero Ontiveros and vocalist Javier Sánchez "Big Javy," the band quickly became a prominent figure in the Mexican ska scene. Their debut album, Blanco y Negro, was released in 1998. However, it was their 2001 album Alma en Fuego that catapulted them to fame with hits like "Amnesia" and "Amargo Adiós." This album was independently released initially but was later re-released by Universal Music, earning gold and platinum certifications. Inspector continued to build their reputation with albums such as Unidad, Cerveza y Ska (2002) and Amar o Morir (2004), solidifying their unique style of Mexican ska. Their popularity extended beyond Mexico, leading to tours in the United States, Europe, and Latin America. In 2009, after parting ways with Universal Music, Inspector released a self-titled album independently. Tracks like "Es Por Ti" and "Y Qué" became hits through word of mouth, despite the lack of traditional promotion. They followed this success with the covers album Ska a la Carta (2011) and Inspección Retroacústica (2014), in which they revisited some of their biggest hits. Their 2017 performance at the Vive Latino festival further showcased their ever-growing popularity. Their eighth album, Páginas en Blanco, released in 2018, included singles such as "Pánico," "Pasa la Vida," and "Convalenciente." Follow-up LP Serpientes y Escaleras arrived in 2023.