Green Midgets

        I think Enanitos Verdes is a good start to this rockin’ tour were about to begin. It’s personally one of my favorites, though, I must warn, I have A LOT of favorites. I’ve always felt that they have kept true to the art and always create great, authentic Spanish rock.

        This band originated in Mendoza, Argentina in November, 1979. Its original band members are Marciano Cantero, Felipe Staiti, and Daniel Piccolo. Marciano is the lead singer and also plays the bass. Felipe is the band’s guitarist and Daniel was the first drummer.

        Enanitos Verdes started off playing in pubs in Mendoza and then went on to playing in little theaters in the surrounding areas. They soon gained popularity and in the beginning of 1983 they traveled to Buenos Aires to continue their performances. In 1984, they were invited to “Festival de la Falda” and were voted “Grupo Revelacion,” or revelation group, of the festival. They then traveled back to Buenos Aires where they recorded their first album, “Los Enanitos Verdes,” which included the song “Aun sigo Cantando,” song that is now considered a classic of Argentinian rock. In 1986 they recorded their second album “Contrarreloj” with songs like “Tus Viejas Cartas” and of course, “La Muralla Verde,” song which made Enanitos Verdes one of the most popular groups in Spanish-speaking rock. To this day, Enanitos Verdes has 18 albums recorded. Their last one was “Tic Tac,” 2012.

Songs you have probably already heard from Enanitos Verdes:

1.      La Muralla Verde

2.      Lamento Boliviano

3.      Cordillera

4.      Tu Carcel

5.      Guitarras Blancas

6.      Por el Resto

My favorites:

1. Frances Limon

2.      Mejor No Hablemos de Amor

3.      Amigo

4.      Amores Lejanos

5.      Solo Dame Otra Oportunidad

6.      Tus Viejas Cartas

7.      Mi Primer Dia Sin Ti

8.      Luz de Dia 

For more information about Enanitos Verdes, visit their Official Site (you can translate the page).

Who Does She Think She Is?

            I know what you are all wondering. Who is this? Why does she love this music so much? How does she know so much about rock en Español if that trend mainly ranged from before she was born to when she was starting elementary school?

            Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Paulina Soria. I am 23 years young and I am a student of California State University, Dominguez Hills. I am a communications major with an advertising and public relations option and my dream since I was about 12 has been to work at a Spanish speaking radio station. Right now, I have a radio show with my Co-host “D,” in which we talk about funny stories and play both English and Spanish music. The show is on CSUDH’s radio station, KDHR, which streams 24 hours a day, seven days a week on KDHR.net, with mobile applications and podcasts available.

            My love for this particular genre of music started because of my older brother. He loved turning on the radio or playing his cassettes as he got ready for school, so, all my childhood I was woken up by his music. I’m sure you guys can all guess what kind of music he played. No, not rap. Rock en Español. He is seven years older than me, so he always knew what was “in.”  I looked up to him a lot so he influenced my views and tastes. Whether or not those same trends still existed when I was in middle school or high school, they were planted in me and follow me to this day. This is also why I consider myself much younger than the regular “rockeros,” or rockers in Spanish, since I was listening to this music since I was about five.

            One morning in the summer of 2006, I called 107.1 Super Estrella, a Spanish radio station here in Los Angeles. They were interviewing Hombres G, a Spanish rock band from Spain that was going to play the next day at the Reventon, which is Super Estrella’s annual concert. I got to talk to the band and asked them a couple of questions about the songs they were going to play at the concert, since I was going to attend. They asked me my age and were surprised when I told them I was 16. They said “Wow, de las chiquitas,” or, “Wow, from the younger ones.” I just laughed and agreed.
            I do not know many people my age that truly love Spanish rock like I do. I mean, sure, my Spanish speaking friends know and sometimes listen to Maná, but, who does not know Maná? Then, when I begin to talk about Soda Stereo or Los Amantes de Lola, I totally lose them. I often find myself having conversations about rock en Español bands and upcoming concerts with my older brother, my older aunts and uncles, and older coworkers.

            So this is me. Stay tuned friends, so soon you and I can have great rock en Español conversations.