El Tri Rewrites Rock and Roll History – in Spanish, for La Raza.

by Katherina Dimov
September 5, 2002

Batanga's Katherina Dimov talks with Alex Lora of El Tri at their concert in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo © 2002 Fabio Camara.

The legends of Rock en español, El Tri, made their presence known as they visited the Carolinas. Fans gathered around the fences of Tremont Music Hall in Charlotte, North Carolina as they heard the band warming up with sound check. Alex Lora, lead singer of the band, took some time out to chat with Batanga on a sweltering hot night. The band is currently celebrating their 35th year as Rock en español all-stars, partying away with Tri Fest and their new album No te Olvides de la Banda.

What do you think about the current Spanish Rock artists?

As a pioneer in Spanish Rock it gives me great pleasure to see where the movement has gone and how much it has grown. When I started to sing my songs in my own language, everyone told me the same thing, I heard it from the record companies and from the press, "Don’t you understand that Rock and Roll is in English?" But what I wanted was for La Raza, the people, to understand what I was saying. And if in addition to understanding they can sing with me, well that’s what it’s all about.

What do you think about how far Spanish Rock has gotten?

To see that everyday there is more support from the record companies, more promoting, and most importantly, more public support -- I am proud and very honored to see how it has grown.

Do you have any favorite Spanish Rock bands?

El Tri. Ha-ha-ha. Well, all of them, each one has its fight and its endeavor. And all of us try to communicate a sense or feeling of our people and our music. We’re trying to get a message and the feeling of what the people want to say in our songs.

How has Spanish Rock been growing in Mexico?

It has grown in Mexico and all of the world. Everyday you find more artists, different styles. And more importantly everyday there is more public.

What can you tell me about your new album?

It’s album #35 of our career. 35 albums in 34 years of Rock and Roll. Now in this album we have songs like "Chilangolandia," "No te Olvides de la Banda," and "De la Raza pa la Banda," which is a song that incorporates an ethnic group named La Tribu, who play instruments they made themselves. Such instruments include turtle shells, rocks, and percussion. The songs don’t really talk about objects but instead about the feelings of the people. It’s music that touches you, that you feel. El Tri's music says what people are feeling, thinking, what they want to communicate.

You’ll be celebrating your 34th year in the business on October 12, 2002, to what do you credit your long career?

It’s a great achievement. We're different from other rock bands that rock and roll for a while and then rest to record an album and later do a tour. They take half a year to make an album. El Tri continues to record, we record during the week and on the weekends when we play. We have never had a rest. Because if you stop doing it then you lose your rhythm, the intensity, and the contact with La Raza, the people. To take a break would be to get away from reality. That's something I wouldn’t like, we would lose our continuity.

How much longer do you plan on touring? Do you see any kind of rest or vacation in the future?

34 more years, while I am blessed with life and health.

What do you think has made you so successful and given you the staying power through all of these years?

Because it's music made by the people for the people. Our songs from 30 years ago like "Oye Cantinero," "Renuncio," "Abuso de Autoridad," are just as popular today as they were when they came out. The people get excited the now, the same as they did the first time. It’s music that has never had the recognition it deserves, but has stayed in the hearts of the people more time than music that has received much acclaim, and then forgotten. El Tri's music has stayed in the people's heart. You need a little bit of grace... and something more. (laughs).

Do you see a difference in the process of making albums now than before?

Yeah, we play less ugly than before. And in 34 more years we will play better than before. The most important instrument for El Tri is the voice of La Raza, and with 34 years of playing this instrument without interruption, I have learned to play it better. I have learned how to motivate them and make them participate with us, and make them feel like they are making the music.

Do you see a big difference between touring in Mexico and the USA?

No, it’s all the same. The crowds scream, sing, and cuss me out just the same. It’s the same whether dressed in linen suits or work pants. We have played in so many different places, from the biggest, snotty locations, where you can’t get in unless you have the status, to the most beat down locations, where there’s only one 25 watt bulb for ten thousand people. And La Raza responds the same.

How old are you? You must be nearing 25 now.

In age you mean? 24, on this butt cheek, 25 on this one but in December I will be celebrating my 25th on this one. (pointing to his first butt cheek).

Do you consider Tri Fest the biggest party and most important party of Spanish Rock?

Now we are doing Tri Fest to celebrate the 34th anniversary. We have guest artists, performances, and participation from other groups with us. It isn’t just another concert, it is a celebration of El Tri. The Fest is a big event, that includes other bands. We have improvised performances, we have had Toni Lira, from Liranroll, La Tribu, que es musica prehispanica, Ozomatli, King Chango, La Conga, and local bands collaborate with us. The whole concept behind Tri Fest is that after the tour we will be returning to Mexico in October, during the actual anniversary, and we'll finsh the fest in Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City.

Have you had any crazy, out of the ordinary experiences here in the states?

In San Jose, for example, a guy climbed up the light post and put the Mexican flag up. Well, at first when he was climbing and put up the flag, the whole crowd was cheering and screaming for him. But later when he came half way down the pole he took off his shirt and his pants, including his underwear, and the crowd started pelting him with ice and anything they could throw at him. But the flag stayed up. Brad Tabas, an American writer, was saying when he saw him was, when he was Juan Escotia*, the crowd loved him, but when he got to the middle of the pole and wanted to be Alex Lora the crowd didn’t like him anymore.

* The French army invaded Chapultepec and when there weren’t anymore adult Soldiers left they went after the children, killing them. Juán Escotia was a child that wrapped himself up in the Mexican flag and threw himself from the top of the castle so the French couldn’t take over the flag.

Do you have a message for la banda, the people?

For them to give it all they have. We all want things to come to us. You have to fight in order to get anywhere. As the song says, "If you want to get to the set table, no one is going to set it for you, what you don’t do for yourself no one will." For them to get a move on it and put something behind it. And to remember that Rock and Roll is a sport, practice it, get connected to Batanga.com.

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