Ekhymosis
Ekhymosis | |
---|---|
Background information | |
Origin | Medellín, Colombia |
Genres |
|
Years active |
|
Labels | Independiente |
Members |
|
Past members |
|
Website | ekhymosisrock |
Ekhymosis are a Colombian rock band formed by Juan Esteban "Juanes" Aristizábal Vásquez, along with friends Andrés García, Fernando "Toby" Tobón and José David Lopera from Medellín. The band was created in 1988 with heavy influences from Metallica and other important metal acts of the 80s, as well as some popular Latino music.
Career
Even since their beginning as a metal band, Ekhymosis (
1993 saw the release of
In the following year, 1995, the band with its two new members, released Amor Bilingüe,[1] topping the Colombian charts with the single "De Madrugada". The video of the song had incredible replay value on MTV Latino. The same year, Ekhymosis recorded a rock version of the National Anthem of Colombia, which caused controversy among some, but was well received among Colombian youth.[2] Ekhymosis was the chosen band to open for Bon Jovi in November of that year, but due to the murder of the politician Alvaro Gómez the band decided not to play in order to allow the concert to finish earlier.
The next year, the band released their unplugged album, titled Acústico, and Ekhymosis decided to go to Los Angeles where they played in local pubs and began recording their new album.[1] In 1996, the band, now with four members (Juan Esteban, Andrés, Toby and José) recorded in L.A. their self-titled album, which saw the re-makes of three of their best songs ("Solo", "Sin Rencores", "De Madrugada") and new ones, the most remarkable being "La Tierra", known by some fans as "the second Colombian Anthem".[1] The band was at its peak, but little knew the fans that those were the last days of one of the most important bands in Colombia.[3]
In 1997, Ekhymosis won 3 Shock Awards (Best National Group, Best Song for "La Tierra", and Best Composer for Juan Esteban). Some months later, due to internal problems in deciding the future of the band, Ekhymosis disbanded. Juan Esteban, then, began his solo career as Juanes;[3] the drummer of the band, Jose Lopera, worked with him on his first album,[4] and has continued to work with Juanes to this day;[5] the guitarist of Ekhymosis, Toby, started to play with Juanes on his second album and has continued with Juanes as well.[6][7] Juanes has been known to perform Ekhymosis songs at his concerts, namely "Solo" and "La Tierra".
Reunion
In 2012, the band announced a reunion with new members, in a rendition to their origins as a thrash metal band, and playing their early songs before 1992. This lineup also includes the only remaining member since its beginnings, bassist and former lead guitarist Andrés García.
Members
Current members
- Andrés García – bass (1990–1999, 2012–present), lead guitar (1988–1989)
- Mauricio Estrada – drums (2012–present)
- Felipe Manrique – lead guitar (2015–present)
- Luis Duqueiro – vocals (2015–present)
- James Agudelo – rhythm guitar (2018–present)
Past members
- Juan Esteban Aristizábal – vocals (1990–1997), rhythm guitar (1988–1997)
- Alex Oquendo – vocals (1988)
- Toto Lalinde – vocals (1989)
- Esteban Mora – drums (1988–1993)
- José Lopera – drums (1994–1997)
- Felipe Martínez – percussion (1994–1996)
- Felipe Zárate – bass (1988–1989)
- José Uribe – lead guitar (1990–1993)
- Fernando "Toby" Tobón – lead guitar (1994–1997)
- Alejandro Ochoa – keyboards (1992–1996)
- Santiago Giraldo - vocals (2012-2014)
- Santiago Mora - lead guitar (2012-2015)
- Oscar Osorio – rhythm guitar (2012–2013, 2015–2017)
- Diego Vargas – rhythm guitar (2013)
Featured members
- Jorge Vargas – percussion
- Felipe Alzate – percussion
- Andrés Múnera – keyboards
Discography
Albums
Year | Album |
---|---|
1988 | Nunca Nada Nuevo (demo tape) |
1989 | Desde Arriba Es Diferente (7-inch EP) |
1992 | De Rodillas (12-inch EP) |
1993 | Niño Gigante |
1994 | Ciudad Pacífico |
1995 | Amor Bilingüe |
1996 | Unplugged (Acústico) |
1997 | Ekhymosis |
2016 | Despertar (Single) |
2016 | Paz con Cadenas |
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "La Historia de Ekhymosis" (Ekhymosis' Story)
- ^ Rockin' Las Américas: The Global Politics of Rock in Latin/o America
- ^ a b Ekhymosis review at Allmusic
- ^ Fíjate Bien credits at Allmusic
- ^ Un Día Normal credits at Allmusic
- ^ Mi Sangre credits at Allmusic
- ^ P.A.R.C.E. credits at Allmusic