Caifanes
| Caifanes | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Mexico City, Mexico |
| Genres |
Rock en Español Post-punk Progressive rock Alternative rock |
| Years active | 1987–1995, 2011–present |
| Labels |
Sony Music BMG Records RCA Records |
| Associated acts | Las Insólitas Imágenes de Aurora, Jaguares, Bon y los Enemigos del Silencio, Laureano Brizuela |
| Past members |
Saul Hernandez Sabo Romo |
Caifanes is an iconic Spanish-language rock en español band from Mexico City, formed in 1987. They achieved international fame during the late 1980s and early 1990s. The original lineup consisted of Saúl Hernández (vocals & guitar), Alejandro Marcovich (lead guitar) Sabo Romo (bass guitar), Alfonso André (drums) and (keyboards and saxophone). Caifanes’ style can be described as a hybrid of British new wave, progressive rock and Latin percussion underscored by deep, somber, and Latin American-Mexican-Spanish-influenced lyrics and the vocal style of Saúl Hernández. Members of Caifanes have cited King Crimson as a major influence.
The name Caifanes is derived from 1940s Mexican pachuco (zoot suiter) slang "Cai fan". Its equivalent in English would be “cool dude.” The word has also been used to describe the proverbial Mexican pachuco, delinquent, or outsider.
The seeds of what was to later become Caifanes were planted in 1984 with (The Unusual Images of Aurora), a band that included Saúl Hernández, Alfonso André and Alejandro Marcovich. According to Marcovich, Insólitas started out as a side project for the purpose of performing as a party band for the filming of his brother’s film project, (Marcovich’s brother went on to direct various videos for Caifanes). At the time, both Hernández and Marcovich were playing in different bands. The members enjoyed the experience of playing in Insolitas and decided to continue. As the seriousness of the project grew the band began to play in different spots in Mexico City like Rockotitlán, High Tower, and El Jabalí. In May 1986, Insolitas recorded a live demo performed at Rockotitlán. Insólitas developed a strong cult following in Mexico City.
Insólitas broke up in 1986. Saúl and Alfonso reformed as Caifanes with bass player/producer Sabo Romo and Diego Herrera on keyboards and sax. Caifanes’ first live show was April 11, 1987, in Rockotitlán. The building was filled to capacity and many people were left outside. Their popularity began to grow throughout Mexico City. By late 1987 Caifanes had carved a niche for themselves as a dark contrast to the corporate pop/rock and light ballads that dominated Mexican radio and television during the 1980s. At times the image and the sound were considered radical for the Mexican music industry. Between December 28, 1986 and January 3, 1987 Juan Aceves produced a four song demo for the band using "free" studio time at night at Arco Studio (where Aceves was chief engineer). The demo was showcased on the independent radio program Espacio 59 (Space 59), a show that promoted up and coming rock bands. With demo in hand Caifanes approached CBS Mexico. The musical director at the time shunned them for dark new wave attire and said, “You look like fags.” At the time, Caifanes’ sound and look was influenced by British post-punk groups such as The Cure and The Jesus and Mary Chain. They dressed in black suits and sported frizzly hair and makeup. Upon hearing the demo of “Será Por Eso” (English: "That's Why"), the CBS executive said, “At CBS, our business is to sell records, not coffins.”
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