VIVA MALPACHE
Interviewed by: Angela
Interview Answers from Darren Lolk (Guitar)

How many tours have you been on?
I don’t count. We’ve toured New York, Mexico and Chicago. We need to go back! Here on the west coast, we play many different cities in California and make frequent trips to Las Vegas.

What was your favorite city to play in?
Chicago! Seriously, there is a great scene over there, and the audiences have a lot of energy. I’m from New York, so obviously I also like playing there!

What was your favorite out of the country place to play in?
Mexico!

How would you describe the energy at one of your shows?
It can sometimes be pretty manic and insane, but very positive. We’re all about the fiesta and we want everyone to have a good time. We definitely feed off the energy from the audience.

You have been featured on so many soundtracks, which one was your favorite?
See Jane Run, an independent film directed by Sarah Thorpe.

Can you name some of the soundtracks that you have been featured on?
Azul Atomico, See Jane Run, and the background music for a Steve O (the guy from Jackass) infomercial hawking his stunt videos!

If you had to pick a movie that summed up your life, which movie would you pick? Why?
The Godfather Part III. Because everytime I try to leave, “they pull me back in!”

Since you have been around the Spanish Rock scene since 1997, What do you feel sets your band apart from all of the other bands that come and go?
We put the Rock in “Rock en Español”.

Name one person in the music industry that has helped you more than anyone else? Why?
I have to name 2. Rick Fazekas, who is a tremendous supporter of the Rock en Español scene, especially in Los Angeles. He helped us with a distribution deal for our new record. Second is our Manager, Melinda Torres!

Do you write all of your own songs?
Yes. But we do cover songs sometimes, including “Lo Que No Fue, No Sera” by Jose Jose, which is on our new album”

Out of all of your songs, Which one is your favorite? Why?
I like them all, but the one that gets me every time is “Marrano Beach”. Because it’s a 2 minute blast of hardcore rock, followed by some very cool Dub reggae. On the album, we were lucky enough to feature H.R. from Bad Brains on that particular song.

Which song would you say that your group is best known for? Why? When did that song come out?
“Ella”. That came from the earlier incarnation of the band and definitely be considered a Viva Malpache “classic”. We get requests for it all the time. I think it’s because of the great combination of Cumbia/Rock and the lyrics.
The song is from the first album.

Has the music industry ever had a negative effect on you? If so, how?
Yes. A constant lack of sleep!

Being in such an influential band, has it been hard for you to maintain friendships and relationships with people?
It definitely can affect the amount of time that you can spend with friends outside of the business. For instance, my family is 3,000 miles away!

Has your group ever won any awards? If so, can you tell us about them?
Hmmm, I don’t know of any. Some in the band have won money gambling in Vegas!

Who is in your group and what do they do or play?
Giovanny Blanco – Vocals
Darren Lolk – Guitar
Esteban Ramirez – Drums
Joe Garcia – Bass
Jesse Guiterrez – Congas
Arturo Hernandez – Keyboards

Where did your name originate and what does it mean to you?
The name originates from a character in the movie Western “The Wild Bunch”. I originally thought Malpache was Mexican slang for “Bad Indian”. Basically, it sounds out like our music.

How would you describe your music in your own words?
A Hard Rocking, Funky blend of Punk/Rock/Ska/Reggae/Cumbia/Salsa/Merengue/Ranchera/Calypso/y mas, delivered at maximum volume.

How do you feel that everyone has treated you since you started in the music biz?
Most people have been great. Some have not. Like real life.

Is there any new albums, demos, videos or anything else that is scheduled to be released in 2005?
We have tons of video footage from the past year for songs from our new album that should be released this year.

If so, can you tell us about them?
“Esta Cancion” comes to mind, where we did an on the spot music video in Puerto Vallarta. I just saw a rough cut that Giovanny edited.

Where can people go online to listen to your music?
Best is our website www.vivamalpache.com, with links to other sites including our MySpace page www.myspace.com/vivamalpache

How can they buy copies of your albums?
We have them available at Tower Records. On the West coast they can also be found at Amoeba music. If the store is sold out, demand it!

What radio stations are currently playing your songs?
Exa Fm 99.9 in Puerto Vallarta, Jal. MX is playing “Lo Que No Fue, No Sera”
in rotation.

Also, Radio Cultural del Estado 1080 AM en nuestro programa
"La Hora del Ocelote" (programa ke apoya el movimiento musical independiente)

KHDC 90.9fm
En Efekto::Rock En Evolucion
Salinas, CA
Miercoles de 4pm -6pm (hora del Pacifico)
email: peligro7@hotmail.com
website: http://listen.to/rockenevolucion

What do you hope to accomplish before the end of 2005?
I personally would like to travel more to spread our music. Also to bring new songs into the mix and start work toward our 3rd album.

What is your official website?
www.vivamalpache.com

Is there anything that you want to say to your fans and other up and coming musicians?
We love our fans. For real, they are like family and they are a big reason why we keep going. To other musicians, just keep doing it. And start anticipating the inevitable changes that are happening in the music business. We’re undergoing a serious transition in the industry so learn how to take advantage of it and stay one step ahead.

Discography:

Los Greatest Hits – 1998
La Venganza De Rock N Roll - 2004

Biography:
(From the website)
VIVA MALPACHE! emerged from Los Angeles five years ago to become one of the strongest Rock En Español bands on the scene today. The band is formed by six, rice and bean eatin' musicians from L.A, Chicago, New York, Mexico and Dominican Republic. Stealing their name from the bad guy "General Mapache" (played by El Indio Fernandez) in Sam Peckinpah's western "The Wild Bunch". The fellas spelled the General's name wrong (not even on purpose) and added the "Viva!" because sometimes you just have to be loud. Led by the voice, sweat and swagger of Giovanny "Papi Chulo" Blanco (Spigga, Liquid Circus), Viva Malpache! sets itself apart from el paquete with the funky-raga-rock sensibilities of guitarist Darren "El Lolko" Lolk (Smokin' Suckaz Wit Logic, Joker Five Speed), the groovy, horchata-like fluidity of bassist Joe "PincheJoe" Garcia (The Maids) and the hardest rockin' Mexican drummer in the U.S. - Esteban "Stevie" Ramirez. South Central L.A. completes the Malpacheness with the vibrant keys of Arturo Hernandez (La Nacion) and the rhythmic flavor of Jesse "Jessdog" Gutierrez (Curanderos). Viva Malpache's unique sound blends traditional Latin music (corrido, cumbia, ranchera, merengue, tango, etc.) with different rock styles (punk, ska, funk, reggae, pop, etc.) in a joyful alliance that is as unholy as it is muy rico. Con Pique.

Viva Malpache's energetic live shows are always electrifying and contagious (see what the press say - below). Having played over 400 shows since 1997, the members of Viva Malpache make the stage their home and they've shared it with a variety of acts including Latin Rock staples Molotov, Cafe Tacuba and Maldita Vecindad to ska/punk godfathers Fishbone and even 80's new wavers Bow Wow Wow. Celebrating the release of their debut CD, "LOS GREATEST HITS DE VIVA MALPACHE!" (Grita! Records), the band toured incessantly throughout the U.S and Mexico 1999-2002. The highlights; being one of the featured bands on the WATCHA Tour, (a multi cultural, Latin Rock extravaganza created by the organizers of the WARPED Tour) and headlining Mexico's "FESTIVAL DEL ROCK" in Culiacan, Mexico. Viva Malpache! is capable of turning any local dive bar into Madison Square Garden and any Arena show into your cousin's quinceañera.

Viva Malpache's "Los Greatest Hits de Viva Malpache", produced by Brian Springer (JaRule, Smashing Pumpkins, J-Lo, Fastball, Destiny's Child) is a pocho soundtrack filled with songs of love, loss, food and drink. Several tracks, including "Hey Santera", "Pan Con Mayonesa", "Ella", "Avion" and "Let's Go", are still on rotation at radio stations across the country. Viva Malpache's songs have also been featured in several movie soundtracks, including the independent films "See Jane Run" and "Atomic Blue".
In the year 2004 Viva Malpache’s released their follow up to the greatest hits, titled "LA VENGANZA DE ROCK AND ROLL". With songs like the Tequila drenched "Hasta Manaña", the ska ditty "Anybody's Anything", the country merengue rocker "Go To Hell", the Hardcore/Reggae vibe of “Marrano Beach” (enlightened by the presence of legendary H.R. of Bad Brains fame), and the Ramones influenced "Chicharron", Viva
Malpache! will be doin' it all over again, this time with a little more punch, sauce and soul. Pa' Lante! Long Live Malpache! Rock on with ya' bad self! We've got your back.

Shout outs:
Shout outs to go to Rick Fazekas, Melinda, LATV, Chicago and our fellow compatriots on the scene such as Afixion, Horny Toad, Stoic Frame, 15 Letras, Upground,
No Way Jose, Humo Verde, Penelope Red, Skalavera, etc. Also Brian Springer for doing such a great job in recording both our albums.

Anything else you want to add?

Hey Angela, can’t wait to meet ya. Thanks for the interview.