El Presidente (band)

El Presidente
Dante Gizzi performing with El Presidente at Manchester Academy 2 on 2 February 2005
Background information
Origin	Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Glam rock, pop rock
Years active	2002–2007
Labels	One Records, Sony BMG
Associated acts	Gun
Website	Official Website Official Website (Former)
Members	Dante Gizzi Laura Marks Dawn Zhu Johnny McGlynn Thomas McNeice

El Presidente (also written El Pres!dente) was a pop rock band from Glasgow, Scotland. Formed in 2002 by Gun member Dante Gizzi, the band gained major exposure with slots at T in the Park 2005, V Festival 2005 and again at T in the Park in 2006. The band have also supported Oasis, Duran Duran, Simple Minds and Kasabian on major tours of the UK.

Whilst touring in France with Gun, Gizzi came up with the name El Presidente and after Gun split, began working on his own songs. In 2002 he made a few demos, along with brother Jools, on a small sampler and Billy Sloan aired them on his Sunday night Radio Clyde show.

After a couple of gigs at King Tuts in Glasgow as a solo artist with studio recorded backing tracks, Gizzi got a band together. The original line up included brother Jools (previously also with Gun) on guitar and current drummer Dawn Zhu on drums. On signing up with One Records a subsidiary of GR management in Glasgow (also the Gun management team) a couple of the original members decided they did not want to tour with the band. Gizzi then recruited Laura Marks, Thomas McNeice and Johnny McGlynn. Shortly after the band signed a deal with Sony BMG.

The band's first release was a limited edition (1000 copies), red 10" vinyl released on 31 January 2005 which was promoted by the band's first video, which was produced by Jonas Odell and cost over £25,000. On 17 January they embarked on their first UK tour, supported by Stagger Lee. In February they shot their next video for the single "100 MPH". The accompanying video featured the band playing the song in different size boxes, reminiscent of a giant Rubik's Cube.