Pena Maxima is quite an interesting phenomenon in today’s streetpunk world. The band from Miami, USA, formed in 2016, is made up of people with South American roots and is strongly tied to the theme of football. Judging by the photos, it’s also a pretty diverse crew – punks and skinheads playing side by side, just the way I like it.
Musically, it’s energetic punk/streetpunk packed with football chants and strong pub rock inspiration. The title Alentando Hasta El Fin („Cheering Until the End“) clearly refers to football – and you’ll get a full dose of it here. This is a record for those who see football as faith, religion, entertainment, and destiny all at once. If someone had told me twenty-five years ago, back when I was obsessed with bands like The Business or Discipline, that the most football-driven streetpunk in 2025 would come from a U.S. band, I definitely wouldn’t have believed it. But football is on the rise in America, and in communities with South American heritage, it makes perfect sense.
While digging around for more info, I found out that Pena Maxima is also the title of a 2001 Colombian film – a comedy about a fanatical football supporter. I can’t confirm it, but I’d bet there’s an inspirational link between the movie and the band’s name. Either way, I’ll leave that bit of research to curious readers.
The record features eight tracks revolving around three main themes: football, working-class life, and the will to fight against adversity. It alternates between rowdy football singalongs that feel like a pub after a winning match, and more serious, socially critical songs. The latter strongly remind me of bands like Ultimo Asalto – that tougher style with fast, almost fast spoken-word vocals and sharp lead guitar – or the harder-edged attitude of Fuerza Bruta.
The football anthems include Hooligans, Un Tarde De Domingo, Alentando Hasta El Fin, Mala Leche, 1996, and Vice City Hooligans. Mala Leche in particular sounds like something straight out of Fuerza Bruta’s catalog – it’s got raw punk energy and a great driving rhythm. On the other hand, 1996 is a brilliant melodic ripper. The socially aware tracks Recuerdos De Un Soldado and Falsas Promesas add some emotional depth to the record. The closing Vice City Hooligans even brings to mind the sound of Dutch band Close Combat.
The world may change, but football fanaticism and the working class remain the same. Maybe if the characters from John Steinbeck’s novels were alive a eighty years later, they’d probably be football hooligans.
The album was released on Street Rat Records, which means you can expect top-notch presentation across the board. The inner booklet includes all the lyrics on one side and plenty of photos of the band and their adventures on the other. The antistatic inner sleeve and a note from label boss Dan Moody are the cherry on top. You can tell he puts his heart into every release and aims to deliver the absolute best. Street Rat Records is definitely a label worth supporting.
