Toque Profundo

Infobox musical artist
Name = Toque Profundo
Img_capt = Drums And lead guitarist
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Genre = Rock en español, Punk rock, Alternative
Years_active = 1989-Present (currently on hiatus)
Label =
Associated_acts =
URL = http://www.toqueprofundo.com
Current_members = Tony Almont (lead singer/guitars) Clemente Portillo (lead guitar) Tomas Alvarez (bass/percusions) Joel Lazala (drums/percussion)
Past_members =

Toque Profundo, sometimes referred to as TP, is a rock group from the Dominican Republic, the most successful of the local Dominican bands to date in the late 80s and 90s. Most of the songs were related to their native country, and some songs, like "El Jevito" and "Mi País", involved social criticism and issues within Dominican culture.

History

It all started in 1989 when Toque Profundo participated in the popular event "Las Olimpiadas del Rock" (English: Rock Olympics). The original lineup was: Tony Almont (vocals), Leo Susana (guitars), Osvaldo Peña (bass), Lorenzo Zayas-Bazan (keyboards) and Maximo Gomez (drums). They were the best out of 15 participating bands in the event, edging out favorites "Arcangel" by a very small margin in a legendary duel. The band slowly gained experience and acceptance from the small Dominican rock society.

In 1992 they released the 1^st independent album named "Sueños y Pesadillas Del 3^er Mundo" (Dreams and Nightmares of The 3^rd World). This was the first CD ever at that time to be released independently by their own financial means.

The CD immediately became a classic and best seller in Dominican rock history. Songs like "El Bolero Del Biónico", "Amigo", and "Mandela" were hits on local Dominican radio stations shortly after the album’s release.

That same year they were nominated as "Best Rock Group" in the Cassandra Awards, a similar Dominican version of the Grammy Awards. They also were involved in the international event "Rock Sobre Las Piedras" which took place at Altos de Chavón.

Towards 1993 the young group was chosen by Dominicans to represent them in the international event "Festival De Benidorm" in Spain with the song "Dios Salve Al Viajero"(God Save The Traveler). In 1996 they released their 2^nd independent album named "Moneda" (spanish for ‘coins’, also refers to money). Bigger success resulted from this second album. Songs Like "Llorar", the long-awaited "Dios Salve Al Viajero" and "Ramona"(a playful take on Eric Clapton’s classic unplugged rendition of “Layla”), all became top #1 hits on radio. This album is considered a classic within Dominican rock culture and, at the same time, sparked the “local rock bands” evolution.

In 1999 they released The 3^rd Album "Cría Cuervos" (sort of like “Breed Crows”), which became their most successful album of their career at that date. Tracks like "Botas Negras", "Liberate", and "Noche Sin Luna" also became top #1 singles. "Noche Sin Luna" later became the longest-enduring song to remain in the top #1 list on Dominican radio. "Cría Cuervos", like the two preceding albums, was an independent album showing the musical growth of the band and their ever-growing fan base in their native country and in Latin America.

Further recordings led up to the release of their 4^th album, titled "Magia", in 2002. International critical acclaim has often reputed it to be their best composed, best prepared album. This album was different from its predecessors in the fact that it expanded the musical aspect and explored the band’s maturity and potential to compose and record music. Influences from other cultures were included in this recording, which gave it the best rating among the four albums of their career. This album throws in dashes of punk, afro, alternative, and guitar-based fusions, completely breaking all barriers established on previously released albums. The singles "El Viaje" and "Angel Ciego" also manage to climb the top position on radio stations in the country for several weeks.

Current Times

In mid 2003, rumors of possible disbanding of Toque Profundo were rampant but never became official. Due to the Dominican Republic's critical economic situation TP was forced to cease concerts, and each member found themselves trying to find ways to expand their musical horizons. Around this time some members formed several project bands, and guitarist Clemente Portillo left the country to the United States to promote TP's work in New York City These efforts included a showcase in Sirius Satellite Radio, an interview in Music Choice, and several concerts in upper Manhattan.

After that mini-tour, the band ceased to be the powerhouse rock band it once was, never releasing a new track and only playing their old material. Band members started their personal projects and only play together to sell the nostalgics of better times in Dominican rock history. The band is supposedly on a long hiatus, although it's not officially clear as to whether or not the band is declared defunct.

Members

* Tomás Álvarez - Bass (Since 1990)
* Tony Almont - vocals (Since 1989)
* Joel Lazala - drums (Since 1992)
* Clemente Portillo - Guitar (Since 1995; Hiatus since May 2003 until March 2005)

Past members

* Ernesto Báez
* Máximo Gómez
* Lorenzo Zayas Bazan
* Leo Susana
* Ariel Sánchez
* Osvaldo Peña (El Sobi)

Discography

*Sueños Y Pesadillas Del 3er Mundo, 1992
*Moneda, 1996
*Cría Cuervo, 1999
*Magia, 2002

ee also

*Dominican rock
*Dominican Republic

External links

* [http://www.toqueprofundo.com Toque Profundo]
* [http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/toqueprofundo/ Toque Profundo @ Yahoo! Music Groups]