Sombreroful of Hollow as Morrissey meets Mexico

Lancashire hot pot with a side of enchiladas, if you will.

But no, lo, the Americas sovereign federal republic and The Smiths frontman turned solo singer-songwriter share commonality.

Just such a link is mariachi tribute to all things Steven Patrick that is Mexrrissey.

And, to coincide with next month's No Manchester album launch, the improbable indie outfit appear at a Yorkshire venue on April 9.

As the combo themselves confirm: "In Mexico Morrissey has always been a prophet with honour.

"His songs of love, loss and longing, with powerful imagery and metaphors, have found a huge audience and chimed with generations raised on rancheras and their singers who were not afraid to cross the line."

Now comes to our shores a band made in Mexico City, reinventing Mozzer’s songs "south of the border". Together they sound like brass and string renegades from the smallest village with the biggest bleeding heart.

The first of the gang - not to die, but play live - is Camilo Lara, the force inside Mexican Institute of Sound. Together with Sergio Mendoza (Orkesta Mendoza/Calexico), he has put together a posse of musical gunslingers, toting trumpets and throbbing norteño, from his home country's finest bands.

From a first try-out show in their native city less than a year ago, they progressed swiftly to mainstage debut at The Barbican for London's The La Linea Festival and national tour including emotional sell-out Manchester gig before triumphant New York and Los Angeles concerts.

Camilo continues, “I always thought there were these invisible lines between what Morrissey and Manchester represents and what Mexico City and Mexican pop culture has.

"And if these are tiny coincidences, we’re making them a little bit bigger on this occasion with a concert of broken hearts and forgotten dreams.”

The Cooking Vinyl album, mixed by Jack Lahana, winner of multiple Grammys for his work with Phoenix and Daft Punk, is titled after Mexican slang phrase for “no way”.

Smithers are encouraged to say "yes" to the seven-piece, who ensure beloved Mancunian songs grow up, dressed up in poncho and sombrero.

Morrissey’s own paean to their country clearly features, but gig-goers will also enjoy unbelievably unusual versions of such back catalogue classics as El Primero del Gang (The First Of The Gang), Cada Dia es Domingo (Everyday is Like Sunday) International Playgirl (Last of the International Playboys that flips gender and name checks Narco don Caro Quintero rather than Reggie Kray), Estuvo Bien (Suedehead), Entre Mas Me Ignoras, Mas Cerca Estare (The More You Ignore Me The Closer I Get) and Me Choca Cuando mis Amigos Triunfan (We Hate it When Our Friends Become Successful).

As the main man himself once quoth “Nothing the world holds could match the love waiting for me in Mexico City.”

Be sure to share that same love when Leeds Belgrave Music Hall & Canteen hosts the only northern date of their UK tour.

"Oh you've been in the house too long she said and I nachos fled ..."

For tickets visit www.mexrrissey.com site.