Fangoria (band)

History

In 1977 Alaska, along with Nacho Canut and Carlos Berlanga, formed the band Alaska y los Pegamoides. Later, in 1982, they changed the name to Alaska y Dinarama. The group was popular and influential during La Movida Madrileña. Some of their famous recordings include Abracadabra and Ni Tú Ni Nadie. The latter was entered for the Spanish heats of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1985 and later covered by the Mexican group Mœnia in 2004 and by the Puerto Rican band Circo in 2005. Their ¿A quién le importa? also was later covered by Mexican pop musician Thalía in 2002.

In 1989 Carlos Berlanga left, and the band transformed once again, this time adopting the name of the American horror film magazine Fangoria. They had already made clear their fascination with American z-movies, with songs like Mi novio es un Zombi (My Boyfriend Is A Zombie) and La rebelión de los electrodomésticos (The Rebellion of the Household Appliances). With each name change, the band moved further away from punk and further embraced electropop, although strong guitars have generally always been present in their performances.

Since the birth of Fangoria in 1990, Alaska and Nacho Canut have recorded and launched several albums, always in the dance-pop electronica pattern. Fangoria have always admitted their influences, which sometimes are clearly reflected in their own songs. The Pet Shop Boys, Ramones, David Bowie, Michael Jackson and Pulp are some of their favourite artists. Today Fangoria remains one of the most respected and acclaimed pop acts on the Spanish musical panorama.

Some of their best-known songs include

Moreover, Hombres and Me Odio Cuando Miento were featured in 2004 movie Cachorro. Their lyrics typically revolve around sadness, loneliness, jealousy and desire: these tragic contents usually contrast with the music, which normally is up-tempo and disco-oriented, although they have recorded downtempo songs as well. Some of their singles have been remixed by Marc Almond (formerly of Soft Cell) and Vive la Fête.

In 2009, they released their tenth studio album Absolutamente; the first single Más es Más was released before the release of the album. Later they released the second single, La Pequeña Edad de Hielo. More recently, in 2010, a set of three CDs came out titled El Paso Trascendental Del Vodevil A La Astracanada. This release consists of Fangoria's greatest hits and rare recordings, as well as 15 completely re-made versions of their older hits.

Discography