Panda (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Panda
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Monterrey, Mexico
Genre =
Alternative rock
Years_active = 1996 – present
Label = Movic Records
Warner Music de México(Distribution)
Associated_acts = Magnolia y Los No Me Olvides
Super Azfalto
Current_members = Arturo Arredondo
Jorge Vázquez
José Madero
Ricardo Treviño
Past_members = Jorge Garza
David Castillo

Panda (occasionally styled PXNDX) is a Mexican alternative rock band formed in Monterrey, Nuevo León in 1996. The band caught local attention in 2001 with the album "Arroz con Leche" [http://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arroz_con_leche_(disco)] , and mainstream success on their albums "Para ti con desprecio" (2005) and "Amantes Sunt Amentes" (2006).

Background

Formation (1996-1999)

The band was formed by José Madero, Jorge Garza, Ricardo Treviño, and David Castillo, all from Monterrey, Nuevo León. The band started playing covers but when they realized they were good writing their own songs they started writing songs about friends, parties and love. Those songs were placed on a demo tape, Demo 1997, and distributed to independent labels. Soon after that, David Castillo departed Panda and was replaced by Super Azfalto's former drummer, Jorge Vásquez. They caught the attention of an independent label, Movic Records, and signed a record deal.

"Arroz con leche" and "La revancha del príncipe charro" (2000-2004)

Their first studio album, "Arroz con leche", was released in September 2, 2001, and caught little attention by people and critics, only selling 50,000 copies. Their second album, "La revancha del príncipe charro," was released February 3, 2002, a short time after "Arroz con leche". "La revancha del príncipe charro" sold well, and reached platinum in Mexico. Part of the success of that record was due to the combination of punk and rock sounds. The album also contained a cover from Joan Sebastian and Alberto Vazquez's duet song, Maracas.

The band toured in the United States and Mexico to promote their album. At the end of the tour, Jorge Garza left the band and was replaced by another member from Super Azfalto, this time guitarist Arturo Arredondo.

"Para ti con desprecio" and "Amantes sunt amentes" (2005-2007)

A third album, "Para ti con desprecio", was released in 2005. It is their most popular album to date in Mexico and Latin America, although it made them lose many fans, which are now named Anti-Pandas. This happened because Panda supposedly stole lyrics and guitar riffs from groups like My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Green Day, and Smashing Pumpkins, among many others. The singles "Cita en el Quirofano", "Cuando no es como deberia ser" and "Disculpa los malos pensamientos" Topped MTV's Los 10+Pedidos by a combined time of 39 weeks. "Disculpa los malos pensamientos" was also the most voted video on MTV in 2006 [You Tube, " [http://mx.youtube.com/watch?v=r-8vx__EIu4 "Los 100+ pedidos del 2006] ", 2006.] The same year, the band collaborated in the soundtrack from "Skimo", a Mexican sitcom from Nickelodeon, with the song "Si esto fuese realidad".

At the end of the year, the band released "Amantes Sunt Amentes", their fourth album, which reached the top of the Mexican charts within weeks and was certified platinum. To date, the album has sold approximately 200,000 copies, and has become one of the top selling Mexican rock albums of all time. The album's first single, "Narcisista Por Excelencia", reached the "Mexican Top 10" and was a top 40 hit in Latin America.

During this time the band released their second single, "Los Malaventurados no Lloran". The song reached staggering digital success in Mexico and became a success in other parts of Latin America, peaking within the top 40 of the "Latin America Top 100". The music video has received heavy rotation in MTV.

In February 2007, the band collaborated in the album "Tributo al más grande", a tribute album for Mexican norteña band "Bronco". The band recorded the song "Oro" with a new rock style. The singer José Madero, sang along with Guadalupe Esparza and Luis Treviño the song "Amigo Bronco".

In mid July, the band released a third single, "Procedimientos Para Llegar A Un Comun Acuerdo." Because of the extensive success of the band's previous single, the song was sent to radio stations in all of Latin America at the same time. "Procedimientos" quickly debuted in some of the important Latin charts, ultimately reaching the top 10 in many countries.

In November 30 2007, Panda released "Sinfonía Soledad", their first live album that contains a concert on Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City. It contains their main songs and two new songs dedicated to their fans. [PandaLandia, " [http://www.pandalandia.com/www/modules/news/ Primera Plana: Ya está en todas las tiendas] ", México, 2007.]

The band was nominated in Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica 2006, winning the categories Best Group or Duet, Best Alternative Artist and Breakthrough Artist. The band performed "Narcicista por excelencia" during the show. In Los Premios MTV Latinoamérica 2007, the band was nominated for three categories, but only won Best Alternative Artist.

Members

Current members

*José Madero ("Pepe") - Lead vocals, secondary guitar, moog synthesizer
*Arturo Arredondo ("Arthur" / "R2D2")- Lead guitar, secondary vocals
*Ricardo Treviño ("Rix") - Bass guitar, chorus, shriek
*Jorge Vázquez ("Kross") - Drums

Former members

*David Castillo ("Chunky") - drums
*Jorge Garza ("Ongi") - Lead guitar, secondary vocals

Discography

tudio albums

References

External links

* [http://www.pxndx.com Official Website]