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Jumbo
The band’s origin can be traced to the beginning of the 90’s when Edy Castillo and Charly joined with three other friends from Monterrey (Chuy Guerra, drums; Javier Othón and René "La Rana" – The Frog – on guitars) to form "Blueswagen" a band with rock & roll, blues, funk and soul influences. At first, their repertoire consisted of mainly playing English covers of such acts as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Van Morrison, Stevie Wonder, Booker T & The MG’s, the Doors, Pink Floyd, and from some contemporary artists like REM, U2, The Police, Lenny Kravitz, Pearl Jam, The Black Crowes, Stone Temple Pilots and The Red Hot Chili Peppers.
The group slowly gained recognition and, thanks to the backing that was beginning to be given to local music, they began to play in clubs and bars of Monterrey’s metropolitan area, especially in the Old Quarter (Barrio Antigüo). Between 1994 and 1996 Blueswagen concentrated on playing live shows and recording their first demos at the Audiomaster Studio in Monterrey, under the direction of Jesús (Chuy) Flores, a long time friend of Castillo and Edy’s, who spent his vacations working with the band. Ruly Tamez participated in one of those sessions as a drummer. Thanks to Tamez’ persistence, one of their demos reached Jorge "la Chiquis" Amaro a BMG A&R in Mexico City, who became interested in the band.
After some rehearsals Flip joined Blueswagen at the end of 1996. Bugs, who lived in Playa del Carmen (Yucatán Peninsula) returned to Monterrey and joined the group at the beginning of 1997. The group then officially became "Jumbo", integrated by the following members: Flip "Fruit" Fantastic on guitar; Edy Gonzalez keyboard; Clemente Castillo voice and guitar; Charly Pornet bass and Bugs Wako drums. Their first show was organized to present their material to Amaro at BMG. In their promo flyers, from which the band’s name originated, they used the image of a heavy 5-year old oriental child, Jumbo Jin Li, who later became a sumo wrestler. Thus they adopted the adjective "Jumbo" as the band’s name.
In November 1997 BMG signed Jumbo as an exclusive artist and throughout that year and part of 1998 they concentrated on playing live shows and on polishing the songs to be included in their debut album "Restaurant". Although the album wasn’t released in Mexico until May 1999, the band had a chance to participate in a tribute album to the famous Mexican singer José José at the end of 1998 with the cut "Lo Dudo". The album included the participation of some very important groups of the rock scene in Latin America such as Café Tacuba, Molotov, Moenia, Control Machete and El Gran Silencio.
By 2005 Jumbo returns with Gran Panorámico.
1. A CD with 18 of their prior hits, two new cuts and a DVD with the most important videos of their career.
2. The first single Caminando Hacia Atrás on great rotation on Mexico City’s stations.
Alter some time working in movies, doing different musical projects for the films "Sueño Siete Días" and "American Visa", JUMBO, the band from Monterrey, returns with their new album "Gran Panorámico".
Gran Panorámico contains 18 completely re-mastered hits of their career; two new cuts: Caminando Hacia Atrás and Hasta Que El Sol Se Apague; the track Superactriz; the last live performance with the original members of the band; and Enséñame A Olvidarte, a completely new version by Jumbo of the group Intocable’s hit. It also includes a DVD with 13 video clips, including a video of their most recent hit "Caminando Hacia Atrás; a "make-off" of studio recordings and a special link to download a previously unpublished bonus track.
Gran Panorámico was in stores as of September 20. The first single "Caminando Hacia Atrás" was already being programmed in radio stations throughout the country before then, while the video was on TV stations as of September 1st.
To back "Gran Panorámico" Jumbo will be doing an extensive promotional tour throughout Mexico, the U.S. and South America.
With this new release Jumbo again shows why it is one of the most important and forward looking bands on the Mexican rock scene, with a guarantee of foreign release.
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Caminando hacia atraz
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Jumbo
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Jumbo
Official Site for Jumbo
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