N’Sync and the Backstreet Boys are not the only standards for boy bands.
Maybe they are considered the norm for American groups, but as a few Spanish and Mexican bands have proven, small groups of young men do indeed have the ability to produce music that is uplifting, entertaining innovative, and doesn’t consist of Americans.
During the ’70s, disco was overtaking our culture and giving new energy to American music. At the same time in Guadalajara, Mexico, four young Mexican men decided that the underground rock bars needed a new sound, and that they were just the musicians to start the revolution.
These entertaining young men began playing rock music under the name Sombrero Verde (Green Hat). After a few band member changes and the realization that a band with the name Green Hat might not make it, they decided to switch their name to Man?.
With that change, the band revealed a new face, and listeners began to notice this new wave of rock.
Man?’s first album, Falta Amor did not start off with a bang. It was released in 1989 and for two years it simmered just below the music charts.
With the release of their song “Rayando el Sol,” however, Man? broke out of its shell and became a top-selling band.
Since then, the band has toured throughout the United States and in Mexico, and in 1999, they won the Grammy for Best Latin rock/alternative album for Sue?os L?quidos. It was the first Grammy awarded to a Mexican rock band, and was a great honor for the band and their country.
In addition to Man?, there are several bands that are also helping Latin music break into the mainstream music market around the world.
In Spain, 21-year-old Jos? Mu?oz and his brother 24-year-old David Mu?oz joined forces (and voices) with several back-up musicians to form Estopa.
Their self-titled album was released in 1999 and includes such favorites as the upbeat “Me Falta el Aliento” and the single that has made it into every discoteca, “Como Camar?n.” These brothers are taking the Spanish music scene to a new level.
La Oreja de Van Gogh has bridged the gap between formal art lovers and music lovers not only with their name but also with their unique sound.
Their newest album, entitled El Viaje de Copperpot, has burst onto the Spanish music scene with “Tantas Cosas que Contar” and “Cuidate”.
Vocalist Amaia Montero leads the five members of this band. Their music is high quality, inspirational and quite popular among Spanish youth.
Latin music is becoming more and more popular around the world, due in part to the continuous success of energetic young bands.
Known for its ability to make people want to dance, Latin music has the will to change your previous notions of boy bands as simply teenage music machines. This music will bring you new notions of excitement and support for these youthful groups.
