Wednesday August 20th, 2003

La Banda Elastica Awards bring out best in Latin Alternative music

As part of the Latin Alternative Music Conference (LAMC), the magazine La Banda Elastica (LBE) hosted its 11th annual awards show honoring artist contributions to the Latin Alternative genre. The ceremony took place Thursday, Aug. 14 at the Mayan Theater in Los Angeles and featured artists including "the Mick Jagger of the Latino World," Alex Lora from El Tri; Amaral from Spain; Las Ultrasonicas from Mexico; Akwid from Los Angeles; Lucybell from Chile; and Los Pinguos from Argentina.

La Banda Elastica (LBE)magazine has become the most influential publication in the Spanish rock music scene. With over 607,500 readers, it is regarded as the leading publication in the world of Rock en Espanol. Gibson was the title sponsor for the awards show.

For more information on the LAMC, go to: http://www.latinalternative.com. For more information about the magazine (in Spanish), go to: http://www.labandaelastica.com/magazine/home/home.cfm

Ana Sidel

Latin pop/rock singer Ana Sidel got involved in the Mexican scene when she joined a band called La Maquina del Sonido, who later won a local contest called Band Explosion, being voted Best Alternative Act. After moving from her native Mexico City to the U.S., Sidel joined Los Angeles-based L.A. Mix. She debuted as a solo artist with the release of an album called A Solas, featuring the local hits "Esperando" and "Aqui Estoy."

Known as the Mick Jagger of Latino World, Alex Lora is celebrating his 35th year in the industry this November with a U.S. tour

Mexican Alex Lora became a rock en espaol pioneer by the end of the 1960s while playing along with Charlie Hauptvogel in a band called Avengers. In 1968, these enthusiastic Latin rock musicians formed their own group, Three Souls in My Mind, playing a memorable performace at Avndaro's Festival de Rock y Ruedas, known as the Mexican Woodstock. The band focused on English lyrics until the release of their first Spanish-language album in 1973, featuring songs such as "Que Viva El Rock and Roll" and "Oye Cantinero." In 1984, Charlie Hauptvogel and Alex Lora decided to go on their own. While the first one kept the group's name, the second assembled El Tri, making their debut with the release of Simplemente El Tri.

Latin rockers Maldita Vecindad y Los Hijos del Quinto Patio formed in Mexico City in 1985; comprising vocalist Roco, guitarists El Patio and Sax, bassist Aldo and drummer Pacho, the group debuted in 1988 with a self-titled LP which earned acclaim for its fusion of rock, ska and Mexican folk sounds. El Circo, widely considered a classic in "rock en Espanol" circles, followed in 1991, selling an astounding 600,000 in Vecindad's native country. Around the same time, they appeared in Gift, a film directed by Jane's Addiction's Perry Farrell. After their live album Gira Pata de Perro, the group resurfaced two years later with Baile de Mascaras, followed in 1998 by Mostros.