Artists

Café Tacuba

Biography

Describing the music of Mexico City's Café Tacvba is a difficult proposition at best.

Singer Ruben Albarran's gritty voice would feel comfortable in front of a punk band, but the group's music is steeped in traditional influences with drum machines, rock guitars and keyboards offsetting any straight-forward folk references.

Then there's the matter of the band's albums itself.

The critically acclaimed Re veered from metal to rock to pop. Avalancha de Exitos transformed Latin American staples into new forms. The moody Reves so confused the band's label, executives demanded they go back into the studio and record a more accessible. The resulting work, Yosoy, was no less daring.

Without a doubt, Café Tacvba is one of the most adventurous bands on the planet, pillaging traditional Mexican and rock music with maniacal aplomb.

Café Tacvba took its name from a Mexico City restaurant specializing combining Mexican and European cuisine. The band members all met in art school, and at first, their music bore a heavy influence of New Wave.

Café Tacvba headlined the Watcha Tour in 1999 and 2000. They opened for Beck and collaborated with Kronos Quartet. The group's appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien probably marked the first time a rock en Español band appeared on late night television.

Members

Rubén Albarrán: vocal
Joselo Rangel: guitar
Emmanuel del Real: keyboards
Enrique Rangel: bass