quinta-feira, 19 de abril de 2018

ASFALTO - Crossover Prog • Spain


Spanish outfit ASFALTO were born in 1972, when rock band Tickets decided that a change of moniker was needed. In the first few years the band experienced a series of line-up changes, but by 1975 a stable version of the band had settled in the shape of José Luis Jiménez (vocals, bass), Julio Castejón (guitar, vocals), Enrique Cajide (drums) and Lele Laína (guitar, vocals).

In 1977 they were signed by newly formed Chapa Discos, a sub-label of Spanish label Zafiro, and in 1978 the band made their debut with Asfalto, an affort containing several tracks considered classics by their fans. The band itself weren't all together happy with the end result though, and Jimenez and Laina decided to leave the band shortly after the album release.

Castejon and Cajide decided to continue on as Asfalto, and brought in Jorge Walter García Banegas (keyboards) and José Ramón Pérez (bass) as new members. This revamped line-up released Al Otro Lado towards the end of 1978. !!Ahora!! followed in 1979, and the double album Dejalo Asi in 1981. Label problems saw Asfalto leave Chapas Discos in 1981, and they decided that it would be better to set up a label of their own, Snif.

Mas Que Una Intencion was to be the first production released on their newly formed label, and this album also sported a new member in their line-up, in the shape of Miguel Oñate (vocals). In 1984 Cronophobia is released. This would be the last album Onate participates on, as he decides to leave the following year. Ricardo Benítez (vocals) is recruited as his replacement, and he makes his band debut on the 1986 effort Corredor de Fondo. His tenure proves to be brief though, and at the end of 1986 he decides to opt out of Asfalto, citing personal reasons for the decision. Cajide, Perez and Bangeas left the band the following year, and a period of inactivity followed.

Asfalto returned in 1990 with the album Sólo por Dinero. Band leader Castejon is accompanied by returning old members Jimenez and Leina on this production, with new man Terry Barrios (drums, vocals) as the final member of the revitalized band. Barrios sadly pass away in 1992, after which Cajide decides to return as their drummer. This version of the band would release one studio production, El Planeta de Los Locos in 1994, but by the end of 1995 Asfalto decided to call it quits.

Band leader and sole remaining forming member Castejon decided to reform Asfalto in 2008. With an all new line-up consisting of himself, Carlos Parra (keyboards, vocals, viola), Raúl Santana (vocals, guitar), Viti Ilarraza (drums, vocals) and Juanvi García (bass), the CD Utopia is recorded and released the same year. Garcia leaves the band shortly after, and is replaced by Alejandro Ollero (bass). This slightly revamped line-up has released one effort so far: The live production Al Fin Vivos from 2009, issued on CD and DVD.




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