by Enrique Gutiérrez
Staff Writer
Walking down the street, one can hear music coming from the second story of a warehouse building in Pomona.
It is Pastilla. Pastilla is a local band that practices ardently to improve day by day.
Pastilla is currently the top exponent of the increasingly popular genre of “Rock en Español.” Its music best represents what alternative rock is all about.
Pastilla is one of the few bands that has been able to succeed despite the little support local bands receive from the media.
Since no commercial radio station in the Los Angeles market follows a “Rock en Español” format, local bands face greater obstacles on their road to fame and glory.
“Our generation began and grew without the support. That’s why we keep working even if they [radio stations] don’t play us. If they do, we thank them, but if they don’t, it doesn’t really affect us,” said guitarist and singer Adrian Monroy.
“College radio stations do play Spanish rock, but they do not have large audiences,” he said.
Last year, Pastilla recorded its second CD, Vox Electra, under the BMG US Latin label. Among other things it was awarded the best local band award from “La Banda Elastica” magazine. They were also the opening act at a Garbage concert in Mexico City.
The group, which is led by the inspiration and voices of Adrian and his brother Victor, recently survived a change on its roster. Daniel Damian entered the band as guitarist when bassist Eri Gonzales decided to leave the group to pick up his studies. Eric Rubalcava remains as the drummer.
The change forced Victor to move from playing the guitar to the bass.
“We found out that he’s got the same influences that we do,” Victor said referring to the addition of Damian to join the group. “So he tagged along with us.”
“The group improved. Victor has been playing the bass for a long time and now we sound more tight,” said Adrian.
At first, Victor confessed to being nervous about playing the bass, but later said he is getting used to it again.
They had the opportunity to prove themselves two weeks ago. They went on tour and performed for more than 15,000 people in Ensenada and more than 20,000 people in Mexicali, Mexico.
Pastilla’s recently released CD has made the group popular in Mexican cities like Tijuana and Juarez, as well as with some radio stations in the United States, surpassing bands of international recognition such as Maldita Vecindad, La Ley and even El Tri.
A sell-out crowd at the House of Blues on the night they presented their new album in mid-March confirmed their No. 1 spot among the public.
Vox Electra includes 14 tracks in which the band displays the creativity and the maturity that it has gained since its first CD. Currently, more than 10,000 copies of the CD have been sold.
Singles like “Tatu,” “Vox Electra,” and “Balance,” place high in radio stations play and popularity rankings.
Pastilla has been able to keep its roots, with reminisces of its idiosyncrasy mixed with its contemporary influences, which range from the Beatles to Caifanes.
Perhaps this is why the music of Pastilla appeals not only to Spanish-speaking audiences, but also those who neither speak nor understand the language.
This phenomenon is growing constantly. People are finding out that there is good music in Spanish.
“There is all kind of music in Spanish. From punk to ska and swing. It’s other alternative,” said Adrian. “For people who really enjoy music, Spanish rock is just another door to explore.”
Victor thinks the time has come for “Rock en Español” to transcend beyond the Latino culture.
“There was a time when there was a British rock invasion all over the world. I think it is time for the Latin rock invasion,” Victor added. “It is a new alternative to Anglo rock.
“Latino rock has its own feeling which is different to all others.”
“There are groups like Mano Negra that do all kind of things and sing in Spanish, English, French and other languages,” said Adrian.
“That’s what I would like to see at least here in L.A., a musical aperture. Not like if a person says ‘I’m punk and I just listen to punk rock in English.’ If you think you’re open minded, check out ‘Rock en Español,'” he said.
In fact, Pastilla does have a few of its songs recorded in English like “Bi,” “Tijuana” and “It’s OK.”
“It’s part of our culture,” said Victor. “Sometimes our inspiration comes up in English, and that’s the way we write.”
“Since we’re bilingual, it is easy to compose in either language,” Adrian said.
The group’s story goes back to the high school days, about seven years ago. They tried names like Huevos and Juana la Loca before adopting Pastilla as their name.
The quartet from Pomona will perform at the Roxy Theatre tomorrow night and Sunday it will play along with Tijuana No and Las 15 Letras at UCSB to benefit students who want to continue with their college education.
On May 20, Pastilla will take part in a massive radio festival in Mexico City and on May 23, it will take the stage at the Acapulco ’99 Festival, which is one of the most important music festivals in Latin America.
In addition to its multiple presentations, the band is working on the filming of its first music video. Adrian also commented the band will work on the construction of a web home page for the band in the near future.
Currently, Pastilla is going to focus its energy on putting on good shows for the people that will go see it. “As long as we do our best and the technical aspects go all right, we are happy,” Adrian said.
“We don’t worry about pleasing everybody,” he said, “we know not everybody is going to like us.”
Besides, Pastilla is not the only option for good “Rock en Español” in Los Angeles. Voz de Mano and Maria Fatal are only a couple of bands that expose great talent and different influences on their work.
“I joined the band because I think ‘Rock en Español’ is the alternative to the alternative,” said Rubalcava, who by the way, does not speak Spanish.
“It’s music like any other,” Adrian said. “Just check it out and see what you think about it.”
Enrique Gutiérrez
