By: Amber Hightower

The dance clubs in Cozumel can be a blast, but there may come a time, when you have had enough of the mind numbing thump, thump, thump of the beat, drinks with names like the Brain Extinguisher, and the nauseating flashing of strobe lights.

When it does, may I suggest a beer and some good ol’ live rock n’ roll at the Hard Rock Café?"

Warning: The band, Nectar, is not for the faint of heart who are easily intimated by excellent, heart-pounding, hard hitting, LOUD, live rock music.

When they are on stage, the hard rock is the farthest thing from “downtown anywhere USA.” You know you are in Mexico, because where else can you find a band that takes requests ranging from the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pearl Jam, Velvet Revolver, even a killer cover of an Erasure tune (trust me), Aerosmith, U2, and Coldplay to Heroes de Silencio, El Tri, Los Pericos, and Los Fabulosos Cadillacs?

You can sing along with the rock in English at the top of your lungs and be in good company. If you are unfamiliar with Spanish rock, a night with the band will not disappoint and will leave your musical horizons broadened. You don’t have to understand the language to understand the music. (To clarify, there isn’t an accordion or tuba within 100 miles of the bar. This is rock.)

The singer, Mauricio, is from Mexico D.F. He is an all-around musician, playing the guitar, percussion, singing tunes in English and Spanish with ease and a voice and a spirit that deliver each song with professionalism and a dynamic stage presence.

Born and raised in Cozumel, Irving, the guitarist is baffling. For a 21 year old, he handles his spiffy Steve Vai Signature 7 string Ibanez Jem with the grace and agility of a virtuoso that makes players who have been trying to master “Stairway to Heaven” their entire lives green with envy. I’m convinced Irving had Zeppelin licked when he was still in a crib.

Then there is Miguel “Machito,” also a Cozumel native, who smiles throughout each set. He’s having fun! Watching him play the drums, I guarantee you will be mesmerized, asking yourself repeatedly, “How does he do that?” The man is a machine.

Francisco “Paco,” the keyboard player, also from D.F., may be setup on the back of the stage, but he cannot be ignored. He is an accomplished keyboardist whose talents lend the glue that allows the band to recreate their covers with precision.

Finally, there is Paul, the band’s Peruvian factor. The man can play bass – funky bass, jazz bass, rock bass, walk the dog, sweep the porch, you name it. Flea wants his number.

And there you have it, Nectar. Mauricio, Irving, and Machito have been together for almost 4 years; Paul came on board a year ago, and Paco added his talents about 6 months ago.

They have perfected their ensemble sound into a solid pro rock band with an impressive repertoire that gives locals and visitors, alike, a thrill everytime they perform.

I urge you to take a break from the dance clubs for at least one night and check out Nectar.

For those who must, Hard Rock will even serve you a Neuron Blaster or whatever your poison may be, and the band has a terrific light show to boot.

Nectar plays every Thursday through Saturday night, 10 p.m. to about 1 a.m. (or until the calls for “encore” stop) at Hard Rock Café on the main strip of Cozumel in front of the ferry pier.

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