 skalariak
History, discography and biography
Skalariak was born at the end
of 1994, due to the love Juantxo and Peio Skalari felt
for ska music. This is a rhythm more than forty years
old though which they filter all the variations and
influences while adapting them until they achieve a
distinguishable and personal style.
After having just given a dozen
concerts, GOR Discos record company showed interest
in the band and in 1997 their first album called "Skalariak"
was released. In 1999, they published their second acclaimed
record, "Klub Ska" (GOR Discos) reflecting
the maturity the band was achieving thanks to the numerous
concerts. Thus, they develop a series of conceptual
records that recreates a multiracial, international,
friendly and free world where the youth can breathe
freedom, but not only to have a good time but also to
be able to express themselves. The album was widely
applauded (being the single 'Sólo vivir' the
highlight of the record) and it took them to play in
different countries like France, Italy, Switzerland
and Mexico. In those two years they played more than
one hundred concerts. Their third recording, "En
la Kalle", went on with the previous conceptual
records and took us, this time, to an imaginary 'ska
street' which symbolises their way out from the 'ska
club', being outside to show ourselves without complex,
they way we are, neither heroes nor criminals. Musically
speaking, this album succeeded in injecting every track
with a compact and warm sound. It is an outstanding
combined piece of work, both the composition of the
music and lyrics and the actual performance. Once it
was released the band took to the road again still practising
what they preached, this is, playing spontaneously 'on
the streets' in cities like Pamplona, Barcelona and
Bilbao. All this was filmed alongside with other international
concerts and never-seen images in the seventy minutes
video: "Skalariak: Street's Ska".
"Radio Ghetto"
In 2003, Skalariak released their
fourth album "Radio Ghetto" (BOA Records),
the last one to complete the series of conceptual records.
They came from the 'ska club' onto the streets and then,
that open space became even more open, placing us in
the ghetto provoked by the misinformation. With "Radio
Ghetto" we want to break the barrier of misinformation
by communication. With "Radio Ghetto" we want
to make a call to spread the harmonious feelings so
people are not isolated in a social, political or ideological
way. We want to talk in every street, passing the message,
conversing...
Musically speaking, without forgetting
ska essence, "Radio Ghetto" insists on the
exploration of the ska side of crossing of races, mixing
it with other kinds of music. The playing and the arrangements,
executed with care, were taken a step further, managing
to convey the amalgam of styles and forms in a very
intense way, achieving music with its own identity,
coherence and unique 'skalari sound'.
Their lyrics are mostly inspired
by social reality, trying not to miss the poetic side.
This a fresh and alive poetry that aims straight to
the heart.
Besides, again, Skalariak practice
what they preach and broadcast from a free radio twenty-four
hours a day to the whole world through their web page
www.radioghetto.com.
With their last album, with "Radio
Ghetto", Skalariak do what they have to do so ska
music lives on... and they will do it as long as the
crossing of races and cultures exist.
Listen to Radio Ghetto! Get connected
to Radio Ghetto, feeling the crossing of races and people
fighting together! Tune Radio Ghetto and spread people's
wind!
Skalariak are:
Juantxo Skalari
Peio Skalari
Javier Etxebarria
Hiart Leitza
Luisillo Kalandraka
Mario Memola
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