The Timeless Café Tacvba

There are only a few bands that can outlast generational gaps of music and remain relevant, fresh, and loved by fans of all ages - Café Tacvba is able to go on timelessly.

I have been to the Fox Theater many, many times for different types of concerts, but I what saw on Thursday, August 9th, certainly left me speechless. As I was walking towards the venue, all I could see was a never ending line of people patiently waiting to be let into the Fox. The people in line were not there simply to attend a concert, but to make sure that they were up and close to Café Tacvba.

One would think that the band’s fan base is older, you know people in their late 30’s, maybe even in the late 40’s, but the band is just that timeless that their fans are pretty much a wide range of ages. I could see some teenagers, some early 20’s peeps and of course, the longtime fans well in their 40’s. When the band first came out in 1989, I was in kindergarten! And here I was stoked to see them live again for what seemed to be the 100th time.

Café Tacvba was starting their US tour, and they could not have picked a better city or better venue to kick off the first stop; accompanying this incredible show was Bang Data. You all already know my devoted love towards Bang Data. I cannot say enough how talented they are and how every single one of their shows feel as if I’m checking them out for the first time.

 

As usual, Bang Data kicked off what was going to be a spectacular show! Deuce Eclipse wearing a jacket that read “Nicaragua” pumped up the crowd. There were a lot of loyal fans and a lot of people who were checking their set out for the first time. As I was walking around the venue, I could hear people singing along the songs and others paying close attention to the set.

 

It was then time for Café Tacvba to take the stage; I was at awe when I saw Rubén Albarrán – it was as if time had not passed. He is aging extremely gracefully, or there is something magical about being part of such a kick-ass band that made him not age at all. He came on stage looking humble, and his gaze showed just how grateful he was to be on the stage surrounded by thousands of people. When Meme, Joselo, and Quique came on stage, the feeling of gratefulness grew even more. It was crazy to see how, despite their over 3 decades of being together and their international fame, they remain humble, friendly, and grateful towards their fans.

There was not a single song that the fans did not sing along to – even when the band sang their first single, De Este Lado De El Camino (from the new album which comes out in September titled "Lo Que Antes Se Llamaba Disco”) – fans were mumbling the song even if they didn’t know it completely.

The Fox Theater was filled; there wasn’t an empty corner or space, and there were people everywhere and all around the venue. The lucky fans who showed up early enough and waited in line outside rushed to the front of the stage, they didn’t care that they were being packed like sardines. All that mattered was the magical moment of seeing “Cafeta” up-close.

No Controles, Eres,  Chilanga Banda, La Chica Banda, Volver A Comenzar, Dejate Caer, El Baile Y El Salon, La Locomotora, Ingrata, El Puñal y el Corazón – the repertoire of songs did not disappoint.  I can say from what I witnessed that night, that I was not the only one who felt as if they were seeing Café Tacvba for the very first time, the band is simply that magical and timeless.

Credits: Rogers & Cowan / Another Planet Entertainment

Puerto Rico + Oakland+ Bay Area ALL AS ONE!

Calle 13 made a triumphant return to the Bay Area, and this time the band lit up the Fox Theater in Oakland. Compare to their visit to the Bay in October, where they had no opening band, and the DJ set was less than stellar. For this show, Bang Data was in charge of the opening set and DJ Kool Kyle on the turntables.

Bang Data has been working so hard and nonstop, currently promoting their latest album called La Sopa. As a fan of this extraordinarily talented Bay Area band; I could not have been prouder to see them on stage at the Fox Theater.

 

The guys came on stage and instantly pumped up the crowd- many of the people in attendance had seen Bang Data play live, while others who were first-timers were instantly charmed with the band’s infectious sound. There is something about the dynamics amongst the guys (Deuce Eclipse-Lead Vocals, Caipo-Drums/Producer, Marco Guzman-Bass Dave Shul Guitar) that makes people want to dance and sing along their songs. In other words, they rocked the heck out of the Fox Theater! Bang Data is out to blow up! If you are new to their music, get to know them NOW! Once Bang Data’s set was over, the fans were ready and eager for Calle 13 to get on stage, DJ Kool Kyle kept the hype going with a fantastic set! I myself was singing and dancing as he was on the turntables. In my eyes, that’s what a great DJ set is all about.

 

As the crowd dance away, it was time for Calle13 to rock the Fox Theater- the band came on stage at exactly 9:30PM (a complete opposite from the hours of delay from their show back in October at the Fillmore.)

Residente (Rene) rocking the track pants and a black wife beater, a now typical “outfit” for most of the shows, Peje 13 wearing tight red pants and a cropped top, Visitante with his hat (staple of his outfits.) Another member from the band was showing Oakland love by wearing the A’s hat and Cespedes jersey.

 

As with every single one of their shows, the band makes fans sing along to every song, dance and pay close attention when Residente talks politics and social issues. During one of the many times that Rene addressed the crowd, he discussed the never ending violence in Latin America. There were Puerto Rican flags waving throughout the place, flags from other countries and one voice echoing everything that Rene was saying. Calle 13 is well-known for being politically active and extremely outspoken against the government, violence and the injustice around the world.

 

The show did not disappoint! The fans were extremely satisfied and it showed, the Fox Theater was filled to the max. The band is off to Mexico and will be part of the Wirikuta Fest in Mexico City on May 26th at the Foro Sol.


Credits: Press Junkie PR

Bay Area Talent + Oakland Venue = Memorable Night!

Have I ever told YOU, my lovely readers, just how much I love Bay Area Venues? I love it even more if it happens to be in my hometown of Oakland. The New Parish holds a distinctive place in my heart, precisely for this very reason.

The New Parish has become the “go-to” place to check out some fabulous and fun-filled shows. San Francisco has some terrific places, but often times, if any given event falls on a weekday... well, the mere thought of paying the bridge toll and that whole shebang just does not seem appealing. And that is when a venue in Oakland is just the place to head over to.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity to attend the Nortec Collective: Bostich + Fussible, Bang Data & La Misa Negra show.  I had never seen La Misa Negra live, but I have heard excellent things about their shows. Bang Data is Bay Area royalty, and they are currently promoting the release of their latest CD titled La Sopa; Nortec Collective has such a unique sound and I have been so curious to check out a live set.

La Misa Negra

The show started getting packed fairly quickl. By 9:15PM  the event-goers were already gathered around the front of the stage for La Misa Negra’s set. I was pleasantly surprised. Stephanie Candelaria led the vocals and belted out unbelievable cumbia songs. The eight-member band made everyone sing and dance throughout their performance.

Bang Data

By the time Bang Data came on stage, the crowd had been anxious to see them perform. It was a special night for the guys, since it marked the release of their latest CD titled La Sopa. Deuce Eclipse rocked the stage along with the rest of the guys, their energy on stage transpired to the crowd, and mostly everybody were singing along with the songs.

Nortec Collective: Bostich + Fussible

Nortec Collective: Bostich+ Fussible, coming straight from Monterrey & Tijuana Mexico, made us all wait a while. I was getting slightly anxious that their set was taking so long to start. At the end, it was well worth it! Perhaps you have heard their music online, but it is nothing like seeing them live. The way that they use musical instruments traditionally used in Mexican music and how they alternate it with the electronic sound (iPad and all), it is simply out of this world.

All of these three bands made my sleep deprivation worth it! The bands all have more shows coming up. La Misa Negra will be playing at Madrone Art Bar in San Francisco, Bang Data is over in Austin, Texas for SXSW and Nortec is wrapping up their tour in California, which will end in LA, this week.

And now you know, next time you want a fun night-out on a weekday, consider The New Parish as an option. Check out their concert calendar to see what other shows are coming up.


Credits: New Parish Entertainment Group

The Rise of Bang Data

Dave Lopez, Deuce Eclipse & Caipo

Being from the Bay Area I have the opportunity to attend so many fantastic events and I get to meet amazing people along the way. About a year and a half ago while I was working on a TV assignment to cover the Café Tacvba show in Oakland, Rocky the General Manager from Union Rocker introduced me to Juan Manuel Caipo, one of the band members from a San Francisco band called Bang Data. At the time I didn’t know about the band, other than the band members Caipo had been part of Orixa, Dave Lopez was with Flypside (one of my favorite bands when I was in college) and Deuce Eclipse was a well recognized Bay Area artist.
 
Bang Data has been slowly but surely making its way into shows all over the Bay Area and establishing a great name for themselves. It was during one of the many shows I attended that I was able to catch a live set and I was blown away. Not every band (especially if they are an opening act) is able to get people’s full attention and get them to dance and get into party mode but Bang Data does that and more. Their shows are filled with different rhythms from hip-hop, reggae, cumbia & rock and that is what makes their fusion of sounds so unique. 2010 was quite a busy and successful year for the band 2011 is shaping up to be even busier. Bang Data is definitely a band you ought to know in 2011!
 
Last night I had the chance to have a candid phone interview with Juan Manuel Caipo as he was heading to San Francisco. Check out my interview with Caipo and pay attention to find out of a surprise Caipo has exclusively for YOU my readers.


Enjoy!

  Interview with Caipo from Bang Data by thechroniclesofazu