Rock music has been produced in Latin America since the late 1950s. Some Rock bands started to used unusual instruments such as maracas and quenas. In the late 1960s, artists like Santana started using a different technique to make Rock music; by incorporating influences of Latin Jazz. Its sound was incorporated by young Latino-players on the US, as an answer to the Rock en Español movement in Latin America, leaded by bands as Soda Stereo, Caifanes or Héroes del Silencio.
In early 1990s, it was used by Mexican bands such as Maldita Vecindad and Café Tacuba. They were accepted in Latino's circuits in the US, especially by the Mexican community, as any Rock en Español band had made ever. Latin Alternative has been born.
With the passage of time and many musical styles in the US-Latino, Latin Alternative has become as diverse as the Rock music genre itself. Today, many music journalists and music enthusiasts regard Latin Alternative as a brand of Rock en Español. And just like the music genre itself, it may be further classified into more specific genres of music.
The most known event of Latin Alternative is the LAMC (Latin Alternative Music Conference) that ever years convokes a large amount of bands form all the Americas and Spain. It was held in Los Angeles but two years ago the new host city has been changed to New York City.