El Azote
{{short description|Mexican musical group}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = El Azote
| image =
| image_size =
| birth_name =
| alias =
| years_active = 1997–present
| origin = Aguascalientes, Mexico
| genre = Indie rock / Mexican rock
| label = Discos Intolerancia / Opción Sónica
| current_members = Abraham Velasco
Alejandro Vázquez
Gerardo Castmu
| website = {{URL|http://www.elazote.net}}
}}
El Azote is an indie rock group from Aguascalientes, Mexico, formed in the late 1990s.
Band description
Experimental Mexican Indie Rock band formed in Aguascalientes, Mexico towards the end of 1997. The band describes its sound as "Sonic Craft" (Artesanía Sonora).{{cite news
|author = El Azote
|title = 'Artesanía sonora' ¿es algo que define? No lo sabemos pero de alguna manera justifica la forma de trabajar de El Azote.
|url = http://www.elazote.net/musica.html
|website = elazote.net
|date =
|accessdate = 2008-06-29
|quote = a la pregunta constante de ¿qué tipo de música interpreta el azote? Últimamente respondemos que lo que hacemos es “artesanía sonora”
}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} This characterization comes from their combination of folkloric arrangements and lyrics combined with experimental rock and subtle electronic arrangements.
The musical instruments they employ range from: drums and percussion instruments, electric and acoustic guitars, electric bass, fretless bass, whistles, bells, miscellaneous wind instruments, etc.
Their musical influence ranges from all variants of rock music, blues, free jazz, contemporary music, experimentation, Mexican traditional music.{{cite web
|author = Armando Palomas
|title = SILENCIOS ESTEREOFÓNICOS
|url = http://impulsocultura.blogia.com/2007/041502-silencios-estereofonicos.php/
|work = IMPULSO Estado de México - Sección Cultural
|date = 2007-04-15
|accessdate = 2008-06-29
|quote = rock experimental, free jazz aderezado con letras empíricas y literarias
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024014049/http://impulsocultura.blogia.com/2007/041502-silencios-estereofonicos.php
|archivedate = 2008-10-24
}} They often read stories in their live presentations between sets, with surreal and mythical themes. Their Lyrics are likewise of ethereal and mythical nature. Throughout their years active, they have created a unique musical experience; not only for the audience, but for themselves.{{cite news
| author = Gobierno Del Estado de Aguascalientes
| title = Tres propuestas diferentes para Miércoles y jueves en el Cuartel Del Arte: Lorca, El Azote y Juan Pablo Villa
| url = http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/cultura/noticias/bol105.aspx
| work = Boletín no. 105
| date = 2008-04-23
| accessdate = 2008-06-29
| quote = 'El Azote' lleva once años ofreciendo su particular idea de hacer música, haciendo de sus conciertos experiencias irrepetibles tanto para ellos como para el público.
}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}
Since they formed their band, they had thought of developing a musical proposal that would not limit them to the conscious restraints that other musicians often are limited by. They have achieved this distinction with their use of pantomime and theatrical elements on stage: An example of this is that vocalist, Alejandro Vázquez has painted his face as it is being distorted by standing behind a sheet of glass and wears different masks while singing.{{cite web
|author = Notimex
|title = Presentan bandas de Aguascalientes su propuesta musical.
|url = http://www.lagangaonline.com/content/view/1044/28/lang,sp/
|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080106141710/http://www.lagangaonline.com/content/view/1044/28/lang,sp/
|url-status = dead
|archive-date = 2008-01-06
|work = La Ganga Online
|date = 2007-04-14
|accessdate = 2008-06-29
|quote = por los elementos externos a losque recurre como el teatro y la pantomima"..."el vocalista se pinta la cara mientras aparece atrás de un vidrio que deforma las figuras expuestas"..."usa máscaras mientras canta.
}} Alejandro Vázquez can be heard engaging the audience as he reads short stories between their live set of their album Suena Vivo, recorded live between January 2003 and October 2004, and features drummer Julián Villa who currently lives in Norway.{{cite news
|author = El Azote
|title = Discografia
|url = http://www.elazote.net/discografia.html
|work = Página del Grupo
|date =
|accessdate = 2008-06-29
|quote = El Tercer CD de El Azote fue grabado durante los 2 conciertos de 6° Aniversario por Gerry Rosado y Carlos Walraven en enero del 2003 y aparece en Octubre del 2004
}}{{dead link|date=September 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} The result in these lively performances has resulted in a positive reaction on the audience, as shown when they performed live for the presentation of their Suena Vivo album in 2004.{{cite web
|author = Armando Palomas
|title = SILENCIOS ESTEREOFÓNICOS
|url = http://impulsocultura.blogia.com/2007/041502-silencios-estereofonicos.php/
|work = IMPULSO Estado de México - Sección Cultural
|date = 15 April 2007
|accessdate = 10 January 2008
|quote = 'Suena vivo' (Noise Kontrol, 2004), mismo que presentaron en el año de su edición en el Área Chica ante un público desconcertado porque no sabía a ciencia cierta qué tocaban estos cuatro muchachos y cómo sería una actuación en vivo de ellos. Todos salieron satisfechos con lo ocurrido esa noche.
|url-status = dead
|archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20081024014049/http://impulsocultura.blogia.com/2007/041502-silencios-estereofonicos.php
|archivedate = 24 October 2008
}}
They have played in different types of venues, like theaters, bars, streets and festivals. Every time adapting their show to the venue they will be playing in. They have played with other Mexican musicians like Premiata Forneria Marconi, Santa Sabina, Azul Violeta, Cecilia Toussaint, Arturo Meza, Cabezas de Cera, Fratta, San Pascualito Rey, La Perra, etc.{{cite news
| author = Rocksonico
| title = El Azote: Conocelos
| url = http://www.rocksonico.com/nota.asp?not_id=1236
| work = Rocksonico
| date = 2005-08-08
| accessdate = 2008-06-29
| quote = ...EL AZOTE se han presentado en toda clase de foros y escenarios como, teatros, antros, calles y festivales; adaptando su propuesta a estos espacios y compartiendo en algunas ocasiones el escenario con figuras tan importantes de la música...
}}
Current members
Discography
=Albums=
- El Azote (1999)
- El Color (2002)
=Live recordings and re-issues=
- Suena Vivo (2003)
- El Azote (Double Reissue) (2003)
References
{{reflist}}
News articles
- [http://www.aguascalientes.gob.mx/cultura/noticias/bol105.aspx Article from Government of The State of Aguascalientes website, Culture Section]{{dead link|date=January 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
- [http://www.rocksonico.com/nota.asp?not_id=1236 Article in mexican website Rocksonico.com]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20081024014049/http://impulsocultura.blogia.com/2007/041502-silencios-estereofonicos.php Article in "IMPULSO", Mexico, Entertainment section]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303214433/http://www.rockmx.com.mx/fuentes/bios/el_azote.html Article in Spanish by Rock MX]
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080410145837/http://www.elazote.net/ Band Website (In Spanish)]
- [http://elazote.blogspot.com/ Band's Blog (In Spanish)]
- [http://www.myspace.com/elazote Band's Myspace page(with streaming music)]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Azote}}
Category:Mexican indie rock groups
Category:Mexican alternative rock groups
Category:Rock en español music groups
Category:Musical groups from Aguascalientes