VIVA MALPACHE BIO AND PRESS
VIVA MALPACHE! emerged from Los Angeles five years ago to become one of the strongest Rock En Español bands on the scene today. The band is formed by six, rice and bean eatin' musicians from L.A, Chicago, New York, Mexico and Dominican Republic. Stealing their name from the bad guy "General Mapache" (played by El Indio Fernandez) in Sam Peckinpah's western "The Wild Bunch". The fellas spelled the General's name wrong (not even on purpose) and added the "Viva!" because sometimes you just have to be loud. Led by the voice, sweat and swagger of Giovanny "Papi Chulo" Blanco (Spigga, Liquid Circus), Viva Malpache! sets itself apart from el paquete with the funky-raga-rock sensibilities of guitarist Darren "El Lolko" Lolk (Smokin' Suckaz Wit Logic, Joker Five Speed), the groovy, horchata-like fluidity of bassist Joe "PincheJoe" Garcia (The Maids) and the hardest rockin' Mexican drummer in the U.S. - Esteban "Stevie" Ramirez. South Central L.A. completes the Malpacheness with the vibrant keys of Arturo Hernandez (La Nacion) and the rhythmic flavor of Jesse "Jessdog" Gutierrez (Curanderos). Viva Malpache's unique sound blends traditional Latin music (corrido, cumbia, ranchera, merengue, tango, etc.) with different rock styles (punk, ska, funk, reggae, pop, etc.) in a joyful alliance that is as unholy as it is muy rico. Con Pique.
VIVA MALPACHE'S energetic live shows are always electrifying and contagious (see what the press say - below). Having played over 400 shows since 1997, the members of Viva Malpache! make the stage their home and they've shared it with a variety of acts including Latin Rock staples Molotov, Cafe Tacuba and Maldita Vecindad to ska/punk godfathers Fishbone and even 80's new wavers Bow Wow Wow. Celebrating the release of their debut CD, "LOS GREATEST HITS DE VIVA MALPACHE!" (Grita! Records), the band toured incessantly throughout the U.S and Mexico 1999-2001. The highlights; being one of the featured bands on the WATCHA Tour, (a multi cultural, Latin Rock extravaganza created by the organizers of the WARPED Tour) and headlining Mexico's "FESTIVAL DEL ROCK" in Culiacan, Mexico. Viva Malpache! is capable of turning any local dive bar into Madison Square Garden and any Arena show into your cousin's quincea–era.
VIVA MALPACHE'S "Los Greatest Hits de Viva Malpache", produced by Brian Springer (JaRule, Smashing Pumpkins, J-Lo, Fastball, Destiny's Child) is a pocho soundtrack filled with songs of love, loss, food and drink. Several tracks, including "Hey Santera", "Pan Con Mayonesa", "Ella", "Avion" and "Let's Go", are still on rotation at radio stations across the country. Viva Malpache's songs have also been featured in several movie soundtracks, including the independent films "See Jane Run" and "Atomic Blue". In the year 2003 the boys have been recording their follow up to the greatest hits, tentatively titled "LA VENGANZA DE ROCK AND ROLL". With songs like the Tequila drenched "Hasta Manaña", the ska ditty "Anybody's Anything", the country merengue rocker "Go To Hell" and the Ramones influenced "Chicharron", Viva Malpache! will be doin' it all over again, this time with a little more punch, sauce and soul. Pa' Lante! Long Live Malpache! Rock on with ya' bad self! We've got your back.
Here's what the press is saying about "Viva Malpache!"
"Here to stay, Viva Malpache! rocks!" RICARDO CAMARENA - LA OPINION"Viva Malpache! would work any clam bake, mosh pit or car race into a jumping-bean frenzy.a cage match of styles that will rattle your speakers with Mexican pride and Californiafied energy" RON HART - CMJ
"It is unforgiving to miss out on the opportunity to be face to face with this explosion.(Viva Malpache!) achieve a musical combination that is exciting and entertaining. Like their influences, their music reaches beyond our imagination"AL BORDE MAGAZINE
"Have you ever-danced rancheras in a mosh pit? Or danced salsa while jumping in the air. It sounds like mission impossible, but a mission impossible in the music world is like a game of marbles to these guys. The mission of Viva Malpache is to rock.Today, people don't just say Viva Malpache! They scream it."LUCIA RAYOS X· TORRES - MUNDOROCKERO.COM
"drunken ska Chicano punk snarl" ED MORALES - VILLAGE VOICE
"This cool-as-fuck band has been around for the good part of 5 years, and if you haven¶t seen them live yet, you're missing one of the best shows in the history of L.A.s local scene. Viva Malpache are destined for stardom, In both English and Spanish." DANIEL DUARDO - DIGITALPIMPS.NET
"(Live) Giovanny and his minions were like a bunch of kids with brand new toys, sweating adrenaline from every pore" N~ESPACIOALTERNATIVO
"Each song is a heartfelt invitation to party" LA BANDA ELASTICA
"This band is everything. They rock, they croon, they scream and shout, they make you want to run around in little bitty circles and pull your hair out just for the hell of it, they even disco. And they can play together, which puts them well at the forefront of most of the bands out there. Highly, highly recommended."HOLLY DAY - SORTED MAGAZINE
"A promising debut offering a no holds bared, Rolling Stones-inspired garage rock"ALTERNATIVE PRESS
"There is no way that upon hearing and seeing the tremendous energy they transmit, you can remain motionless. Their incentive to make you move is not in vain."MELISSA GONZALO - LATIN STYLE MAGAZINE"Live, this band is on fire, they're one of those bands that isn't afraid of showing their guns because they know they can shoot the farthest. The greatest local revelation is Viva Malpache!" RETILA MAGAZINE
"The strongest music in the L.A. Rock en Español scene comes from Viva Malpache!, they stan alone" RICARDO ROCKA - LA ROCKETA
"A sonic explosion of powerful Latin grooves and rockin’ fun beats. One of the best bands in L.A.LATINA GIRL MAGAZINE
"Viva Malpache! became an instant sensation.with tight sets of catchy pop/rock with hints of tropical airs" ENRIQUE LAVIN - BAM MAGAZINE"Viva Malpache! is without a doubt the most active and recognized band from the L.A. Rock en Español scene. They bring a fresh new sound, without pretentiousness" MUSICAONLINE.COM
"like the great Maldita Vecindad, Viva Malpache! are not afraid to take risks, the results being challenging, yet highly listenable material. Most of all, a good deal of fun and enjoyment may be had by all, even if you can't quite understand what the Spanish lyrics are all about. Viva Malpache! is one band to get excited about" HIGHWIRE DAZE MAGAZINE
"We stand before the next great L.A. band" FRANK BARBANO - VISTA L.A.
"outstanding players touch on plethora of classic blues-rock styles with an underlining Latino influence and consistently soulful vocals. Whatever they're saying, it sounds like they mean it." HECKLER MAGAZINE
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