La Renga

Biography

Argentinean hard rock band formed in 1988. They're one of the most important argentinan band ever, characterized by their independenet style, without appearing in the mainstream media and not appearing in festivales unless it's for a benefic cause. They are followed by a very loyal audience that travels throughout Argentina and even other countries like Chile and Uruguay. Originated in Mataderos, a humble quartier of Buenos Aires, they started playing small gigs in the neighbourhood. In 1993 A...

Argentinean hard rock band formed in 1988. They're one of the most important argentinan band ever, characterized by their independenet style, without appearing in the mainstream media and not appearing in festivales unless it's for a benefic cause. They are followed by a very loyal audience that travels throughout Argentina and even other countries like Chile and Uruguay.
Originated in Mataderos, a humble quartier of Buenos Aires, they started playing small gigs in the neighbourhood. In 1993 A Dónde Me Lleva La Vida was released, which was independently produced, but the requirement to fulfill the public's demand persuaded the band to sign with a major label, PolyGram, with the firm position of not losing artistic independence. Polygram being only in charge of the manufacture and distribution of discs.
In 1994 they managed to completely sell out a concert at Arena Obras Sanitarias, being the first and only band ever to play in that legendary stadium presenting their debut album.
In 1995 Bailando En Una Pata was released, which contains live versions of the songs of Esquivando Charcos, accompanied by the song that gives the name to the album, and a version of "Born to Be Wild" by Canadian group Steppenwolf. During 1995 and 1996 La Renga carried out several presentations through Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires, many of them to benefit.
At the end of 1996, under the artistic production of Divididos' singer Ricardo Mollo, Despedazado por Mil Partes is released and is presented in Buenos Aires with four performance of the complete album in Obras. This new album sold well and attracted great public attention. This album opened doors worldwide and in 1997 their first international tour took place. On their return in October they participated along with other Argentinian bands in the show in tribute to the twenty years of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in front of nearly 20,000 people on the stage of Ferro Carril Oeste. By the end of 1997 La Renga had appeared for the first time in a stadium before 20,000 people affirming the great pull of the band.
Finally, on September 22, 1998 appeared the new album without title, called by the fans as "the album of the star" in reference to the white star that appears on the cover, which in less than one week became platinum. This disc was promoted in the Argentinian capital in two shows on the stage of Atlanta before a total of 48,000 people and with a tour of twenty two Argentinian province , finishing in the end of September 1999 in Formosa.
After the tour ended the hour arrived for another great concert in the Argentinian capital. This time it took the form of two shows in the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López, because of a ban which causes were not clear. La Renga appeared in the impressive Hurricane Stage in two shows where they played songs from their entire repertoire, including the more recent and some songs that would appear on their next album.
In 2000 La Renga visited Montevideo for the second time in the Teatro de Verano. They appeared in Chascomús and soon started preparation for La Esquina del Infinito, their next album, that would be launched in August. The album was promoted with two dates in the Stage of Ferro and with concerts in the interior of Argentina.
In 2001 La Renga returned to the Estadio Tomás Adolfo Ducó on May 19 and recorded their new live disc, Insoportablemente Vivo that hit stores in September. The show was filmed and was presented in small cinemas throughout the country, a few years later being published in DVD. Without making publicity, and to celebrate the launching of the new album, La Renga returned to the Arena Obras Sanitarias with four shows the 21, 22, 28 and 29 of September.
In the year 2002 they reached the peak of their career: a gig in the stage of River Plate before 74,000 people. Along with the entrance of the recital was sold an EP called Documento Único that contained three songs, being this the first release under their own record company La Renga discos
There, nevertheless, the history of La Renga would not finish since in year 2003 they would publish Detonador de Sueños, album recorded completely in the rehearsal room, like Documento Unico, which would mark a new methodology of the band in the production of their albums, obtaining a sound similar in power to that of their live concerts. The album would be promoted in the Estadio Olímpico Chateau Carreras of Córdoba. On April 17, 2004, this time in Buenos Aires in the stage of River Plate. The band would close the year with a huge show, promoted only by word of mouth, in the already-known stadium of Huracán, this show was called the Eye Of the Hurricane because the stage was located in the center of the pitch. The show was released in DVD becoming El Ojo del Huracan.
In 2005 they released the song Viva Pappo, in commemoration of the deceased friend of the band, Norberto "Pappo" Napolitano. It was performed in a double show at the Estadio José Amalfitani, with Pappo's son among the guests.
In 2006, Truenotierra was released. The album was a double CD containing new songs, but with the feature of the second disc containing jams exclusively. In November 2007 they performed at Autodromo of Buenos Aires before a crowd over 100.000 souls, becoming the biggest show in the city, excluding free concerts).
The 2008 La Renga continue with a concert that was to be March 22 in the municipality of San Roque in Cordoba, the same was postponed by Chizzo suffered an accident with his motorcycle.,this episiodo caused the fracture of the bones of one of his hands which prevented him from playing guitar for a period of no less than 2 months.
In 2009 the band celebrate 20 years of history. To commemorate that event was held on 24 January 2009 a festival at St. Mary of Punilla (Santa Maria de Punilla), called "The Invisible Footprint (La Huella Invisible)", where La Renga involved with bands and artists like El Tri (México), Koma (Spain), Lovorne, MAD, Los Violadores, Los Gardelitos, Viticus and Edelmiro Molinari.
The band of "Mataderos", provided a spectacular show at the Estadio Único de La Plata, 30 May 2009, around 45,000 people attended. It had everything from rain that soaked the dedicated fans until submission in an unprecedented way. The first cut of his next album began recording in mid-2009. The theme is called "Galactic Cannibalism".
Finally on 2010 "Algun Rayo" came out, being sold only with the ticket for each show of the tour.

Discography
Esquivando charcos (demo casette), 1991
A dónde me lleva la vida, 1994
Bailando en una pata (live), 1995
Despedazado por mil partes, 1996
La Renga, 1998
La esquina del infinito, 1999
Insoportablemente vivo (live), 2001
Documento único, 2002
Detonador de sueños, 2003
Trueno Tierra, 2006
Algún Rayo, 2010

DVDs
Insoportablemente vivo, 2001
En el Ojo del Huracán, 2006

1988

Gustavo "Chizzo" Nápoli - Lead vocals, lead guitar, rhythm guitar
Gabriel "Tete" Iglesias - Bass guitar
Jorge "Tanque" Iglesias - drums, percussion
Manuel "Manu" Varela - Saxophone, harmonica, rhythm guitar, backing vocals

Raúl "Locura" Dilelio - Lead guitar
Gabriel "Chiflo" Sanchez - Saxophone, trumpet

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