El Sonido de la Carreteral Central con el Rey de la Guitarra Teo Laura

5 questions with Ryan Richardson.

Ryan Richardson runs the breakmyface.com site as well as ryebreadrodeo.com. Being a fellow collector of records and artifacts I felt it was time to ask him 5 questions. On breakmyface.com Ryan archived and wrote a tremendous amount about Masstropicas favorite label Dangerhouse Records. Please also visit his Ryebreadrodeo site to purchase any rare punk items that you've been searching out for all these years. ENJOY!

1. What is your first memory of hearing music?

The Cliff Hangers game on The Price Is Right... or something like that.

 2. What sparked your interest in collecting and archiving music?
Collecting started with walruses and Smurfs and music took over when KISS drifted across my five-year-old radar.  The punk rock archiving grew out of my gut-level enjoyment of the music and all its related ephemera and artifacts that somehow survived -- sometimes miraculously -- long enough to land in my hands.  These many years later, it's basically a moral imperative that I brush this stuff off, gussy it up and find it a warm, dry place to stay whether it's my house or some other aficionado's.

3. Where is the strangest place you've gone to dig for vinyl?
In my experience, the strange bubbles up not in locales but in situations. A "strange dig" from years ago that comes to mind: trading Confederate currency (found in the attic of a rental house in Oklahoma) for punk records with a falling-down-drunk Dallas denizen who continually fell down drunk on his bed full of rare records and automatic weapons.  At the time, my concern was less with an accidental shooting and more with a creased picture sleeve.  I never did locate the Confederate belt buckle he requested in trade for the Dicks "Hate The Police" EP.

4. Greatest punk label ever and why?
The answer is easy and as American as apple pie: Dangerhouse. They consistently picked, participated in and produced some of LA's finest punk bands and did all of it with a standard of DIY creativity that remains peerless.    

5. Best food in Texas?
Nearly everyone will answer central Texas barbeque (and they're not wrong), but Zeke's deep fried delights in Fort Worth are the best in my book.

5 questions with Carlos Li of Curriculum Mortis and Nova Lima.

Last years release of Curriculum Mortis' 'Sentencia De Muerte' sparked a global interest in a somewhat unheard of band that would go on to form the Grammy nominated Nova Lima. I figured it would be a good idea to ask founding member and bassist Carlos Li 5 questions. Curriculum Mortis have a 2nd LP coming out on Ultra-Sonido in May.June of their 2nd demo from 1989, more information to follow.

 1. What is your first memory of hearing music?

When I was a child I used to listen to my mother records of Deep Purple-Machine Head, 60's Rolling Stones, etc.. Then at 6 years old I got my first record. Kiss- Dinasty.

2. What were some of Curriculum Mortis' influences?

We had two main tendencies in the band; Heavy Metal/Trash and also Hardcore/Punk. 

Alejandro, Grimaldo, Rafael and myself were Metals and our main influences were Black Sabbath, Slayer, Exodus, Metallica, etc. After a while we started listening also to some crossover bands like DRI, Corrosion of Conformity and Cromags, and also some less known like Post Mortem. 

Mauricio, the singer, used to be the vocalist of a hardcore punk band G-3 before he formed Curriculum; he brought to the band singing styles influences from Raw Power, Suicidal Tendencies and Black Flag among others.

3. Please tell us how Curriculum Mortis formed?

Mauricio (vocalist) was part of the Hardcore punk scene in Lima. After leaving G-3, he contacted his friends from high school Grimaldo (Guitar), Cesar (Guitar)and Alejandro (drums). I (Bass), was neighbour of Grimaldo, and Cesar asked me to join the band. A little while later Cesar left the band and I introduced Rafael(1st guitar) to CM.

We were all 15 years old at that time. Our teenager lives were not very easy as we were all going through divorcing parents, and the situation of terrorism in the country was starting to cut our liberties. Music was our best way of expression and also fostered a strong friendship among all of us.

4. What is the most important hardcore record for you from South America?

In Peru, in terms of originality and meaning, I think the best ones are the 1st demos of 'Ataque Frontal', 'G-3' and 'Descontrol' which have been already released in vinyl. Another important band we liked from Brazil was 'Ratos de Porao'.

5. What are some future plans for Curriculum Mortis?

After rehearsing the whole year 2012 with Pierpa De Bernardi (drums)for a gig we organized to celebrate the release of our 1st demo " Sentencia de Muerte" in vinyl, we decided to make new recordings with all the songs from the 1st and 2nd demos in a revised style updating our music sound to this century. The band for our new recordings to be released this year, will be called "CURRICULUM" and it will be formed by Mauricio, Rafael, Pierpa and myself.

Currently we are finishing the recordings for this album and will mix it in a couple of months. We are also planning a new gig this May in Lima together with Massacre, a well known and old timer metal band from Peru.

During this gig, hopefully we will be presenting the re-release in vinyl of the 2nd demo which is currently getting ready for its release.

Rising Tides.

The Rising Tides only known song which was taken off of a Back From the Grave compilation is a very important song to us here the the Masstropicas HQ. From Morristown, New Jersey comes a ripping punk song which was written on the way to the studio apparently. If anyone has any current information about this band contact us.

Curriculum Mortis!

Another release on the Ultra-Sonido label:

http://ultrasonido.bigcartel.com/product/curriculum-mortis-sentencia-de-muerte-lp

Maximum Rock'n'Roll review:

CURRICULUM MORTIS – “Sentencia de Muerte” LP
Damn, could this be any fucking cooler?! Originally released as a demo in 1988, Sentencia de Muerte is SLAYER-worshipping Peruvian metalpunk of the highest order, one of those bands where you have to instantly wonder why they’re not a household name by now. With an awesomely blown-out guitar tone that’s somewhere between DISCLOSE and Mexican psych masters KALEIDOSCOPE, CURRICULUM MORTIS go straight for the jugular with fast, anthemic riffs, twisted vocal snarls and the occasional crawling breakdown. If you can’t handle an absurd guitar solo or seven then this might not be for you, but the rest of us can enjoy what is hands-down one of the most fun records I’ve heard in ages; seriously, I’d trade a thousand generic thrash revival bands for one CURRICULUM MORTIS any day. Those of you who worship at the altar of SACRILEGE—and ultra lo-fi morbidity in general—do not sleep on this. (WB)
(Ultra Sonido)


 

Morbo cassette review from Maximum Rock'n'Roll.

MORBO – ¡En Vivo! Cassette – Amazing compilation of this Peruvian punk band. With a vintage analog sound—this tape totally captures the amazing energy of this band. Sounds like a Spanish version of the MAGGOTS mixed with the filth of the DICKS. It’s really punk rock. Get this tape, dance around, and sing along. Feel good, snotty punk in its purest form. (Amelia) (8-song cassette, no lyrics included, ultrasonido87.blogspot.com)

Morbo live in Lima last nite.

Morbo to me is one of the best and most fierce punk bands in the last 20 years from South America. Check out their cassette available on Masstropicas sister label Ultra-Sonido:

http://ultrasonido.bigcartel.com/product/morbo-en-vivo-cassette

Maximiliano Chavez playing with some neighborhood friends.

Amazing footage from 2 years back R.I.P. Sr.Chavez.

Changes to site.

In the coming months you will posts about different subjects not including cumbia from Peru.

Jharis 12" cover on billboard in Peru!

TOP 12 OF 2012.

IN NO ORDER:
Green Mansions cassette on triple U cassettes
Ghetto Brothers 'Power/Fuerza' re-issue
Los Jharis/Sensacion Shipibo release
Martin Lopez 'Cocinando' LP re-issue
Pucallpa, Peru
Peter Bonneman
Jason Gardner
various Los Jharis CDRS
Morbo 'En Vivo' cassette
Curriculum Mortis LP
Limfotolibre
Green Mansions

Martín López y sus Estrellas "COCINANDO"

Cocinando is one of the great lost LPs from Peru. In fact, it is one of the more rare releases from the prolific Discos MAG. Its style encompasses the many different tropical styles that were popular in Latin America in the late 1960s and early ‘70s. Martin Lopez was at the helm, and he hand-picked only the top musicians to play on his recordings. However, the amazing musicians that frequented the MAG studios could also be tapped for session recording as needed.

This record is a scorcher, and is in many ways a true piece of Peruvian musical history. This LP introduced the name of Martin Lopez to the ever-growing tropical music lexicon of the Peruvian public. He would later go on to form GRUPO NARANJA, which would become very famous for playing cumbia (and later on, salsa).

During the time period this LP was recorded, Martin Lopez was living a double life. During daytime hours, he was a police officer known to his colleagues as Pedro, but when night fell, he took on the name Martin, donning aviator sunglasses, which would obscure his face while performing live music. Playing music as a police officer was considered unethical and borderline illegal at the time, and he would later lose his job over this.

This LP boasts liner notes written by Martin Lopez himself, as well as tons of very rare photos. Masstropicas and Light In The Attic are both very proud to present and share this reissue, which was taken directly from the original master tapes and was remastered in 24 bit/96 kHz for the ultimate sound experience. We hope you enjoy it, and may this open the doors to a new world of music for uninitiated listeners. (Light In The Attic Records)

• Limited edition one time pressing.
• Includes famous MAG musicians, such as Tito Chicoma, Melcochita, Coco Lagos and Ñiko Estrada.
• Liner notes written by Martin Lopez.
• Rare, never-before-seen photos on a double-sided, full-color insert.
• 24 bit/96 kHz remaster from original tapes.
• Includes download card.

Buy it here!: http://lightintheattic.net/releases/769-cocinando

5 Questions with Martín López

 

Martín López (Photo: Fokus / LimaFotoLibre for Masstropicas)

 1.-  ¿ Cual es su primer recuerdo sobre música ?

Mis primeros recuerdos los guardo de mi padre que ensayaba, su guitarra tocando música criolla, porque el formaba el marco musical del Club criollo CARLOS SACO, que se ubicaba en los Barrios Altos donde vivíamos juntamente con mi madre yo soy hijo único; gracias a DIOS mi hogar (mis padres) nunca tuvieron ninguna desavenencia y cerraron sus ojos, sin crear nuevas relaciones, los extraño mucho sobre todo a mi madre ALICIA que DIOS los tenga a los dos en su santa gloria.

2.-  ¿ Cuando y por qué formó el GRUPO NARANJA ?

Yo tenía un grupo musical organizado que no sólo trabajábamos sino también grabábamos, llamado “Los Extraños de Martín López”; momentos en los que Promotor de la época don Víctor Cáceres Fuentes me propuso formar el GRUPO NARANJA, porque había tenido discrepancias comerciales con el Grupo “Los Ecos” de Beto Cuestas y quería “levantar” a otra agrupación musical, es así como se formó el GRUPO NARANJA, grabando el primer disco “Juanita Linda” el 06 de Julio del año 1,976 en la sala de grabaciones del sr. Aliro Zuñiga que ubicaba en la Av.Tacna.

3.- ¿ Tuvo inconvenientes siendo usted Policía y al mismo tiempo cantante en una agrupación tropical ?

Era Julio del año 1,976 en que comencé aparecer ante los medios, al frente del GRUPO NARANJA como director y como la voz de cantante que identificaba al grupo; en esos momentos regía la Constitución Política del año 1,933 que prohibía a cualquier Policía dedicarse a otras actividades, definitivamente éramos unos “esclavos” dentro de la sociedad, pues no nos asistía ningún derecho como personas. Como director y cantante avancé dos años y medio en el mercado al frente del grupo grabando éxitos; hasta que el Comando Institucional de la Guardia Civil (Institución que ya no existe) me descubrió y me expulsó ABUSIVAMENTE al dedicarme a otras actividades, según dijeron por causar desprestigio en la Policía; sin que este desprestigio haya existido nunca, no obstante ello en esa época el Jefe de la Policía era un personaje que vivía en la opulencia y tenía negocios de discotecas y otros beneficios Institucionales, sin que le pudiera pasar nada “era una especie de señor feudal” porque él era el mandamás y simplemente podía hacer lo que le viniera en gana. El abuso de siempre y que hasta ahora, sigue vigente en los diferentes estamentos de nuestra Sociedad, para las personas que tenemos la desgracia de ser subordinados y/o dependientes de un sistema.

4.- ¿  Puede mencionarnos  algunas influencias musicales ?

Las influencias musicales para mi formación vocal que tuve fue cantantes como Tito Rodríguez, Benny More, Ismael Rivera, Celio Gonzales de los cuales aprendí muchas técnicas escuchando sus grabaciones y practicando diariamente estas prácticas comenzaron cuando tenia 12 años de edad, hasta que a los 15 años tuve la oportunidad a grabar por primera vez apoyando los coros del tema “El Rin Rin” grabado por Alberto Beltrán (de la Sonora Matancera) quien grabó aquí en Perú con la Sonora de Lucho Macedo para el sello MAG.

5.- ¿  Para usted cuáles es la diferencia entre la cumbia Peruana y la Chicha ?

Diferencia en si no la hay lo que ocurrió fue la cumbia llamada Peruana, utilizaba guitarras y rítmica y era difundida en todas las radios de corte tropical sin excepción, con mucha aceptación (Pedro Miguel, Pakines, Los Destellos, Los Girasoles, Los Ecos, Grupo Naranja, Grupo Celeste, etc); mientras que al aparecer la llamada chicha utilizaba los mismos instrumentos, pero con temas de corte andino, lo que hizo que las radios se negaran a difundir éste tipo de música que era una especie de huayno tropicalizado, dando lugar a que el público mismo llamara a ésta forma de interpretación con el término de “chicha”. Los grupos de chicha para difundir su música tuvieron que pagar su hora en Radio “Inka” para propalar sus producciones, es así como emerge en el mercado el término de “Chicha”, como un término despreciativo a la música llamada después andina y que dicho sea de paso fue marginada por el mismo público y las radios de la época quienes se negaron a difundir ese estilo de música.

TEO LAURA DE JHARIS!

Saludos de Carlos Ramirez Centeno a Masstropicas

5 QUESTIONS WITH FREDDY ALVA.

Freddy Alva is a very interesting person, although not directly involved with cumbia Peruana. Freddy helped release the very famous cassette compilation in the '80s called The New Breed compilation which was recently re-issued on 2xlp in the past year. Freddy also started Wardance Records which documented some of the freshest sounds going on in New York Hardcore at the time.

Freddy was also is from Pucallpa the same city that Sensación Shipibo and Juaneco y su Combo hail from. While in our travels to Pucallpa Freddy gave us some good advice on some hotspots around town and also just wrote the liner notes for Curriculum Mortis' 'Sentencia De Muerte' on Masstropicas sister label ULTRA-SONIDO. Please enjoy our 5 questions with Freddy Alva.


1. What is your first memory of hearing music?

  I remember being in Pucallpa, where I was born, sneaking off with my older cousins to watch my mom/aunts & their friends have house parties. I was about 7 or 8 & even though I don't recall the exact songs they played, this was during the mid-70's, they must have been of the Chicha/Salsa variety, as those sounds we're in vogue at the time. I've asked my brother, who's 18 years older than me, if he recalls seeing any of those classic 70's Chicha outfits from the Amazon. He was like "yeah, I saw Juaneco, Los Mirlos, Los Destellos etc, you name it". It was no big deal going to a local bar & seeing any of those groups at any given time. I also remember an older cousin of mine being obsessed with melodramatic Spanish pop singers like Camilo Sesto/Julio Iglesias/El Puma always blasting on her stereo, so those tunes are forever stuck in my head as well.

 2. What made you decide to start Wardance Records?

  I started Wardance in '90 to document bands surrounding the early Abc No Rio scene . I did 8 records (Citizens Arrest/Hell No/Rorschach/1.6 Band) the last release being a 7" by the Peruvian band, Futuro Incierto, in '94. The label lay dormant 'til 2010 when I started it up again to release an old Abc No Rio '91 scene comp called Fuck Rock. To date I've done a My Rifle 7"/Johatsu Demo & collaborated w/Lush Life Records to reissue the New Breed Tape Compilation on Lp & Cd. My latest release is a split 7" with 2 Peruvian Metal bands: Oxido & Don Juan Matus. This was done in conjunction with Basilica Records out of Lima. I next plan to team up w/Lush Life once again & put out a Absolution 7" & Lp of new/re-recorded material. Everything I've ever put out has been done by people that I've known for decades. I'm fortunate to have good friends that make incredible music, other projects are in the works, time & circumstance permitting; they'll come out exactly as I envision them.


3. How did you get into hardcore/punk music?

  I got into HC my sophomore year of High School, mostly through hanging out with a bunch of misfit Skinheads/Metalheads & burnouts. I'd heard punk stuff like The Clash/Pistols by '84, but I didn't attend my first HC matinee @CBGB's until '85. I was attracted to HC's vibrant outsider youth culture vibe, it had strong parallels to the Hip Hop scene I was involved with growing up. I still consider HC a potent force on my life. I realize that it's impact has diminished over the past 30 years or so years of the genre's birth. Musical tastes are such a fickle subject; what you're into as a teenager will completely change, for most people, as you mature. The trick is to hang on to something that resonates with your core values & HC still does that for me, as well as many others. 

 4. What was it like coming from Pucallpa all the way to NYC?

  Coming to NYC in '79 was definitely a huge change. I'd lived in Pucallpa until I was 7, then in Lima for a couple of years, but moving to the borough of Queens & making new friends/coping with the language difference took some time to getting used to. I also hated the winter, which in '79/'80 was particularly brutal. I was lucky to have unconditional support from my mother & brother who instilled in me a strong sense of self-worth plus the latitude to follow whatever path I chose to take. Thank you for that Mom (RIP) & my brother Carlos.

 4. favorite NYHC record and why.

  That would have to be Kraut's "An Adjustment To Society" Lp for a number of reasons:
- It's the 1st HC Lp record I ever bought.
- Hometown (Queens) heroes that opened up for The Clash in '82, wish I'd been there!
- I saw their "All Twisted" video, 1st HC video to air on MTV, on a local cable channel & was blown away.
- The Lp has fast trash parts/melodic anthems/orchestral intro/great lyrics plus Steve Jones from the Pistols on guest guitar.
- Great B&W Lp cover sleeve, it's just what a HC/Punk record is supposed to look like.

 I could go on & on, Kraut freaking rules. Thank you Michael for the interview & all your amazing reissues of Peruvian Chicha/Trash Metal/Amazon Shamans etc., it's definitely a labour of love! Much appreciated.
If anyone wants to read any of my various rumblings, check out my blog at: www.quixoticdreamsnyc.blogspot.com

Plácido Rodríguez from Sensación Shipibo

Plácido with the Sensación Shipibo 45

TEO LAURA DE LOS JHARIS!

Teo Laura with the Los Jharis 12": Notice Victor Casahuaman (Grupo Celeste) in the back.

NEW RELEASES OUT

Sorry for the long overdue update. The Jharis 12" and Sensacion Shipibo 7" have been out for a month and are both available threw lightintheattic.net, forcedexposure.com, dustygroove.com and many other mail-order shops. Hurry because there are only 100 copies left of the 12" and 7" and as with all MT releases it is a one time pressing.

We would also like to commend our friends over at Hausfrau Records in Cleveland and Standards in San Diego who both have great selections and have all available Masstropicas titles.

The Sensacion Shipibo 7" was also the record of the day over at WFMU! Sometime this month there will be a limited edition cover (40 copies) available threw LITA!

Next month will bring forth another release from the MAG vaults! More soon....

JHARIS AND SENSACION SHIPIBO RECORDS.

Unfortunately, the Jharis test pressings have been turned down for the 3rd time which is pushing the record back 3 months from its original date now. Sometimes things don't always go the way you want them to.

The Jharis 12" and Sensacion Shipibo 7" should be out soon along with a LP release from 69'. Be patient and good things will come I guess.