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Fobia

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This article is about the Mexican rock band. For the irrational, persistent fear, see Phobia.
Fobia
OriginMexico City, Mexico
GenresRock en Español
Alternative Rock
Years active1987–1997 and 2004–
LabelsSony Music
BMG Records
RCA Records
Past membersJay de la Cueva
Javier Chá Ramirez
Gabriel Kuri
Jorge 'La Chiquis' Amaro
Iñaki Vazquez

Fobia is a Mexican Rock en Español band from Mexico City. The current line-up includes vocalist Leonardo de Lozanne and guitarist and lead songwriter Francisco "Paco" Huidobro. The rhythm section is made up of ex La Ley drummer Mauricio Claveria, former Caifanes, Jaguares, and La Barranca bassist Federico Fong, and keyboardist Dario González Valderrama.[1]

History

The band was formed in 1987 by Lozanne and Huidobro, brother of Micky Huidobro of Molotov. The original lineup consisted of Lozanne, Huidobro, bassist Javier Chá Ramirez, keyboardist Iñaki Vazquez, and Gabriel Kuri on drums. Kuri was later replaced by Jorge ‘la Chiquis’ Amaro who was followed by multi-instrumentalist Jay de la Cueva, (lead singer of the Mexican hair band Moderatto).

Fobia was one of the original Rock en Español bands to emerge from the Mexican Rock en Español / Rock en tu idioma (Rock in your language) boom of the late 1980s, alongside Caifanes, Maná, Neón, Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio and Los Amantes de Lola; all of which followed in the footsteps of Soda Stereo – who by the late 1980s had amassed a huge following in the Americas. In December 1987, RCA Ariola de México held a "Rock en tu idioma" battle of the bands contest in Mexico City. Fobia was eliminated early on and Los Amantes de Lola went on to win the contest. In spite of their early elimination, executives from Ariola decided to schedule an appointment with Fobia. According to legend, the band missed their meeting with Ariola because they weren't able to enter the building due to problems with security. Following the incident, the band's luck improved. Saúl Hernández of Caifanes produced their first demos and Ariola eventually signed them.[2]

Fobia's early sound, like many of the genre, was heavily influence by 80’s new wave with a few notable exceptions: David Bowie and KISS. Fobia’s music has always embraced the fantastic and eccentric and contains large doses of irony and humor. Fobia steered clear of the political and cultural themes that were embraced by their contemporaries. According to Lozanne, "I think it was more of a strategy of the record companies. We never felt like we were part of a movement. We didn't dress like the other bands. We didn't sing about the things they were singing about".[3]

The name Fobia was chosen because it described the insecurities, fears, and personal obsessions of the band members. These were transformed into melodies and music, and materialized into their first songs; "El microbito", "La iguana" y "El crucifijo," which they played in small bars and at house parties.[4]

Fobia’s self-titled debut album Fobia cemented their reputation as an innovative and original Rock en Español act. Produced by Marteen, their self-titled album yielded Rock en Español classics such as “El Microbito,” “El Crucifijo,” and “La Iguana.” In 1990, Fobia toured with Caifanes, Maná, and Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio as part as a promotional tour for the emerging batch of Mexican rock bands.

The following year Fobia released Mundo Feliz (Happy World) which was recorded in Mexico City and at the Power Station in New York, again with Marteen. Mundo Feliz yielded the Rock En Español classics, “Camilla,” and “El Diablo.” The album featured a cameo by Mexican rock/pop diva Alejandra Guzmán.[5]

In 1993 Fobia release Leche (Milk), a decidedly more experimental album, infusing Latin rhythms and alternative rock. The self-produced album became Fobia’s least successful album to date. The lead single, “Los Cibernoides” (Cybernoids) was a critique of the Mexican media conglomerate Televisa. Regarldess of sales, Leche was a critical success. Leche saw the departure of original drummer Gabriel Kuri.[6]

For 1996’s Amor Chiquito (Small Love) Fobia enlisted famed Argentine producer and composer Gustavo Santaolalla who had a long string of production credits during the 1990s, producing albums for Mexican acts such as Café Tacuba, Caifanes, Molotov, and Julieta Venegas. The album was mixed by Jim Kerr and Tony Peluso, ex guitarist of The Carpenters.[7] For Amor Chiquito, origingal drummer Gabriel Kuri was replaced by Jorge (La Chiquis) Amaro, former drummer of Neón.

Amor Chiquito was a more direct sounding album. The lead single “Revolucion sin Manos” was a guitar driven 4/4 stomper. Amor put Fobia back on top of the Rock en Español food chain. Fobia toured the U.S. and Latin America. Following the release of the album Kuri was replaced by Jay de la Cueva, currently of Moderatto, who at the time had worked with teen pop group Micro Chips[8] and played drums for Las Víctimas del Doctor Cerebro.

In 1997 Fobia participated in a Queen tribute album with "Under Pressure" ("Presionando"). That same year Fobia released the live album Fobia on Ice. Fobia disbanded in 1997.

Reunion

In 2004 Fobia reunited and released a greatest hits compilation album titled Wow 87*04. Wow 87*04 was followed by Fobia's fifth and final studio album Rosa Venus (Venus Rose). The lineup consisted of the original members plus Jay de la Cueva on drums. To promote the record, Fobia toured the U.S. and Latin America. Following the release of Rosa Venus and the subsequent tour Fobia returned to Mexico City to play a series of shows including an opening slot for the Rolling Stones held at El Foro Sol. To honor their 20th anniversary in 2007 Fobia released XX a compilation of live tracks recorded during their 2005 tour. The album included acoustic versions as well as new arrangements of old songs. This disc was accompanied by a documentary/music video DVD.

In April 2011, Fobia gave a rousing performance at the 11th Vive Latino – Festival Iberoamericano de Cultura Musical, one of the most important music festivals in Latin America. Fobia previewed "La Búsqueda" a song from their upcoming album.[9]

Members

Former Members

Discography

References

  1. ^ "Fobia", Last FM, 2012
  2. ^ Fobia
  3. ^ Carey Darling, "Mexican rockers rediscover fun as Fobia", The Post Gazette, 4/09/2011
  4. ^ "Fobia: Biografia", esmas.com, 2012
  5. ^ "Mundo Feliz", AllMusic.Com, 2012
  6. ^ Leche
  7. ^ "Amor Chiquito", AllMusic.Com, 2012
  8. ^ "Tributo Microchips", Tributo Microchips.com, 2006
  9. ^ "Fobia 'prende' en el Vive Latino", El Universal, 4/08/2011
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