The Bronx's swaggering interpretation of hardcore punk found them a quick audience in Los Angeles, where guitarist Joby J. Ford, bassist James Tweedy, vocalist Matt Caughthran, and drummer Jorma Vik founded the band in 2002. Known for a blistering live show, the quintet attracted attention from major labels after only a handful of performances. An offer from Island/Def Jam materialized after the group's 12th gig, but they decided to issue several recordings on their own label, White Drugs, before partnering with a major. Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Gilby Clarke helped the Bronx compose an intense rock sound for their first demo, and the band's debut, The Bronx, appeared in August 2003 via the Ferret Records label. Three years later, a second self-titled album marked the group's first effort for Island Records, and the Bronx supported its release by joining Priestess, the Riverboat Gamblers, and Wires on Fire on the WHODOYOUVOODOO Tour.

The quintet then parted ways with Island and issued a third eponymous release, unofficially known as The Bronx III, with help from Original Signal Recordings. Also in 2006, after being asked to play an acoustic set, the band gave their sound a new spin, shifting from hardcore to Latin sounds. This led to the formation of alter ego band Mariachi el Bronx, who made their recorded debut in 2009. In 2013, a fourth volume of proper Bronx material arrived. IV leaned more toward a polished hard rock approach than the group's earlier, punkier sound. The band returned to their mariachi incarnation for 2011's Mariachi El Bronx, and 2014's record of the same name. In 2016, they put out a live album called Mariachi el Bronx Live Cuts: Live at the Teragram Ballroom and the Independent, Dec. 2015. That same year, drummer Vik announced he was leaving the band. He was replaced by David Hidalgo, Jr.

In 2017, the Bronx resumed their original form for their fifth record. The 11-track BRVNX, released in September of that year, was preceded by the lead singles "Sore Throat" and "Two Birds." Hidalgo then departed from the band, being replaced by former Queens of the Stone Age member Joey Castillo. The B-sides, rarities, and covers compilations Dead Tracks, Vols. 1 2, were issued in 2019 (alongside two compilations from Mariachi el Bronx), offering an insight into some of the band's rarer material. The group returned in 2021 with their sixth studio LP, The Bronx VI. Produced by Joe Baressi (QOTSA, Tool), the album saw them expand on their mix of punk and alternative rock. ~ Andrew Leahey & MacKenzie Wilson, Rovi