Soda Stereo

       When doing an online search for Soda Stereo, it is inevitable to come across phrases like "one of the most important Latin rock bands of the 80's and early 90's," "by far the most popular and enduring," "one of the most critically acclaimed," "they established a template for many other popular Spanish-speaking rock groups," and "considered to be the most influential Latin-American band of all time." Enough said.

     Soda Stereo originated in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 1982. Its members were Gustavo Cerati (lead vocals, guitars, samplers, synthesizer, other instruments) Héctor "Zeta" Bosio(bass, backing vocals, sampler, synthesizer), and Charly Alberti (drums, percussion). Cerati and Bosio had already been band-mates in The Morgan, but when that fell through, they continued together, searching to become a trio with a musical style like The Police. When Alberti phoned Cerati's sister to ask her out, Cerati answered and they began talking about how Alberti's father was a drummer. A week later, Cerati and Bosio went over to Alberti's home to hear him play. Cerati and Bosio had found their drummer, and Soda Stereo was born. 
       A year after they united, they began professionally playing and conquered the underground scene of Buenos Aires. That was when a producer heard them and invited them to professionally record for CBS. Their self-titled debut album was released in 1984 and it was produced by Federico Moura, lead singer from another Spanish rock band, Virus. Their fame grew exponentially and the legacy unfolded.
        In 1997, the band broke up due to personal and artistic differences of opinion. The members, then, went on to work on projects of their own. Cerati went on to become a solo artist, Bosio became a music producer with his own company named Alerta Discos, and Alberti worked on another musical project called "Mole."
      In mid-2007, the band announced their return to make a single continental tour called "Me Verás Volver" (You Will See Me Return) in which they gathered more than one million fans and broke several attendance records and concert numbers.

Songs you've probably already heard from Soda Stereo:
       1. De Musica Ligera

       2. Persiana Americana
       3. Nada Personal
       4. Cuando Pase el Temblor
       5. La Ciudad de la Furia

My Favorites:
       1. Tratame Suavemente
       2. Corazón Delatador
       3. Juegos de Seduccion 
       4. Zoom

For more information on Soda Stereo, visit their official site.

Kinky

       Kinky is one of the bands in the newer wave of emerging Spanish rock bands. What I think is super cool about them is that unlike many other Spanish rock bands, they also sing in English. The band consists of five members: Gilberto Cerezo, Ulises Lozano, Carlos Chairez, Omar Góngora, and Cerezo is the lead singer. 

       Kinky originated in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico back in 2000. Soon after, in 2002, they released their debut album "Kinky," with "Mas" (More) as one of their singles. "Mas" is now their most known single around the world.

       Another reason I think this band is so great is because they are very involved with pop-culture. In other words, many of their songs are in video games, television commercials, television shows, and movies. For example, "Mas" was used in commercials for Nissan and Taco Bell (you will recognize it as soon as you play the video below!), in the NBC mini-series "Kingpin," and in the movies "Thirteen" and "Man on Fire," movie which also used "Field Goal," another song by Kinky. Their song "Coqueta" (Flirt), is in the FIFA 06 soccer video game. As if that's not enough, "Uruapan Breaks" comes out in the Showtime series "Dexter," and "Papel Volando" (Flying Paper) was used in the CW series "Gossip Girl."

Songs you've probably already heard from Kinky:

       1. Mas

       2. Hasta Quemarnos

       3. A Donde Van Los Muertos

       4. Sound Tha Mi Primer Amor

       5. Presidente

       6. Despues del After

My Favorites:

       1. Sister Twisted

       2. Intoxicame

       3. Inmóvil

       4. Marcha Atrás

       5. Tripolar

For more information on Kinky, visit their Official site, or their MySpace page.

Fobia

       Fobia is one of the many Spanish rock bands that goes overlooked, though some of their hits are considered Spanish rock classics. The bands' members are Leonardo de Lozanne (Lead singer), Paco Huidobro (Lead guitar), Javier “El Chá!” Ramírez (Bass), Iñaki (Keyboards, Sequences) and Jay De La Cueva (Drums). Initially, Gabriel Kuri was on the drums, who was followed by Jorge "La Chiquis" Amaro, who was then followed by the present drummer, De La Cueva.

       Founded in 1987, Fobia was one of the original bands to emerge from the Mexican rock en Español boom of the late 1980s. Other bands that emerged include Caifanes, Neon, Maldita Vecindad, and Los Amantes de Lola, all which followed Soda Stereo's foot-steps.
       In 1987, Fobia entered a battle of the bands called "Rock en tu Idioma" (Rock in Your Language) in Mexico City, hosted by RCA Ariola de Mexico, a Mexican record company. Though Los Amantes de Lola won and Fobia was eliminated early in the contest, Ariola scheduled an appointment with them. It is said that the appointment was missed because Ariola's security wasn't letting them in the building. Saul Hernandez from Caifanes, then, produced their first demos and eventually Ariola signed Fobia.
       Their self-titled debut album was released in 1990, with singles like "El Microbito" (The Little Microbe), and "La Iguana" (The Iguana). In that same year, they toured alongside other Spanish rock bands like Maná, Caifanes, and Maldita Vecindad. The band later recorded 4 more albums: 1. "Mundo Feliz" (Happy World) (1991) with singles "Camila" and "El Diablo" (The Devil), 2. "Leche" (Milk) (1993) with single "Los Cibernoides" (Cybernoids), 3. "Amor Chiquito" (Little Love) (1995), with single "Revolucion sin Manos" (Revolution without Hands), and 4. the live album "On ice" (1997).
       In 1998, Fobia split up, but decided to regroup in 2004. That same year they released their greatest hits compilation "Wow 87*04." In 2006 "Rosa Venus" (Venus Rose) was realeased, their first studio album in ten years.

Songs you've probably already heard from Fobia:

       1. Microbito

       2. El Diablo

       3. Camila

       4. Veneno Vil

 My Favorites:

       1. No Eres Yo
       2. Dinosaurios
       3. Me Siento Vivo
       4. 2 Corazones
       5. Si Me Dejas Ahora (From "Un Tributo (a Jose Jose)" by Fobia's           lead singer, Leonardo De Lozanne)

To learn more about Fobia, check out their official site

Moenia

      

      Okay, I know I say that every band is my favorite, but, Moenia is the one I'm completely in love with, and I have and will repeatedly go to their concerts so long as the time and wallet permit. The funny thing is, Moenia is not your typical Spanish rock band (maybe that's why I'm so obsessed with them). They have a very distinct and modern style, so they fall into many genres, including indie, rock, pop, electronica, synthetic pop/rock, and electro rock/pop. They are considered the best band of their genre and are hugely influenced by English bands like Depeche Mode, New Order, and The Cure.

      Vocalists Alfonso Pichardo and Juan Carlos Lozano, and keyboardists Jorge Soto and Alejandro "Midi" Ortega gave birth to Moenia. In 1992 they independently produced and distributed a very few copies of the album that is known as "El Disco Perdido" (The Lost CD) today. Then, Pichardo decided to leave the band for while, leaving Lozano in the vocals when producing "Moenia"(1997), their debut album, and "067.86.M.Mixes" (1998). Pichardo later reunited with Soto, and Midi, in 1999, when they released "Adición." The line-up has remained unchanged ever since.

      From 1992 to 1996 Moenia stayed "underground," giving only little concerts and participating in the first electronic music festivals alongside bands like LLT and Dekada2. In 1996 their song "No Puedo Estar Sin Ti" (I Can't be Without You) independently reached radio stations in Mexico and became an instant hit. Because of that, their debut album was born, album which went gold in Mexico and United States. In 1998 they were invited to collaborate in "Un Tributo a José José," a Spanish rock album that gave tribute to one of Mexico's most famous singers, José José. They created a Moenia-version of José José's "Volcan"(Volcano). A year later, the first single in their album "Adición" (Addiction), "Manto Estelar" (Stellar Mantle), was nominated as video of the year on MTV.

      To this day, Moenia continues to produce their unique music. Just in 2012, they released their latest album, "FM" with the single "Morir Tres Veces" (To Die Three Times).

Songs you've probably already heard from Moenia:

      1. No Puedo Estar Sin Ti

      2. En Que Momento
      3. Ni Tu Ni Nadie
      4. Manto Estelar
      5. Dejame Entrar

My Favorites:
      All of the above and...

      1. Juegos de Amor (Awesome Video!)

      2. Estabas Ahi
      3. LLegaste a Mi
      4. No Dices Mas
      5. Morir Tres Veces
      6. Sufre Conmigo (Check out what their live performances are like!)
      7. Tu Sabes Lo Que Quiero
      8.  Lo Que Tú Digas

Café Tacvba

      Café Tacvba is another one of my favorite bands. Their vocals, beats, and funky style make it one of the most unique Spanish rock bands out there, mainly because they go beyond Spanish rock limits. In their music they include many kinds of styles, including ska, punk, electronica, and even regional Mexican. If you play the videos below, you'll see exactly what I mean.
      The band was born in 1989, in a garage in the city of Satelite, Mexico. Originally, the band was named Alicia Ya No Vive Aqui, after Martin Scorsese's Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore. Because they wanted to stay in touch with their Mexican roots, they changed the name to  Café Tacvba, pronounced  Café Tacuba. Cafe Tacuba was an old restaurant on Calle Tacuba, or Tacuba Street, a few blocks from the zocalo (plaza) in the Centro Historico district of Mexico City. After increasing popularity, they changed the U for a V to avoid any legal problems. Its band members are Ruben Albarran in the vocals, and guitar, Emmanuel del Real in the vocals, keyboard, acoustic guitar, piano and programming, Joselo Rangel in vocals, acoustic guitar, and electric guitar, and Enrique Rangel in the vocals, bass and electric upright guitar. 
      They soon began performing in many places, including El Hijo del Cuervo (The Raven's Son), which has featured many important artists over the years. Doing so, they caught Gustavo Santolla's attention, who at the time was producing albums for artists like Maldita Vecindad and Caifanes. They arranged to produce their first album with WEA Latina and  Café Tacvba went on to produce their first song for commercial release, "Tamales de Iguanita," which was included in a Christmas Spanish rock compilation.
      Two years later, still alongside with Santolla,  Café Tacvba produced their second album, "Re," which included one of their most famous songs today, "Ingrata" (ungrateful). Two years after that, in 1996, they released "Avalancha de Exitos"(avalanche of hits), which only included eight wild covers of well-know songs from latin artists like Flans, Juan Luis Guerra, and Leo Dan. With this album, they made their debut on Billboard's album charts and soon began touring internationally.
      To this day,  Café Tacvba still keeps us on our feet. They came back in 2012 with the single "De Este Lado del Camino," followed by their new album "El Objeto Antes Llamado Disco."
          Songs you've probably already heard from  Café Tacvba:
          1. Ingrata

 

          2. Chilanga Banda
          3. Maria

          My Favorites:
          1. Como Te Extrano

          2. Volver a Comenzar

          3. Eres

          4. Aprovechate

For more information, visit their official website, or All Music.

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.