Els Pets

Infobox musical artist
Name = Els Pets

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Img_capt = The band, photographed within the "Bondia" period
Img_size = 300
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Background = group_or_band
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Origin = Constantí (Tarragonès)
Genre = Pop rock, Rock català, Rock agrícola
Years_active = 1985 – present
Label = DiscMedi (Discos del Mediterrani)
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.elspets.cat www.elspets.cat]
Current_members = Lluís Gavaldà (singer/guitar) Joan Reig (drums) Falin Cáceres (bass)
Past_members = Ramon Vidal (guitar)
Notable_instruments =

"Els Pets" is a Catalan pop rock band with lead singer, composer and guitarist Lluís Gavaldà from the village of Constantí (Tarragona). Joan Reig plays drums and Falin Cáceres bass. At present, the band has the collaboration of the musicians Jordi Picazos (guitar and mandolin), Marc Grasas (singer, guitar) and Joan Pau Chaves, who plays keyboard. In Catalan, "Els Pets" means "The Farts".

History

In spite of the differencial characteristics between this band and the rest of the groups that emerged in the late 80's and 90's decades in Catalonia, the origin of this pop-rock band can not be considered as an isolated event: it belongs to the musical movement of "Rock català".

Origins: Agricultural Rock

The band "Els Pets" was formed in 1985 in Constantí (a village of El Tarragonès, a "comarca" of Catalonia) by Lluís Gavaldà (voice and guitar), Joan reig (drums) and Falin Cáceres (bass). Two female voices joined them, "Les Llufes". Unlike the trends of the leading bands that appeared in Barcelona, Els Pets were proud of their rural roots, and therefore marked their own style in opposition to the music that was made in the capital. The result was a bitter, ironic and humoristic complaint against the lack of their region. They name their genuine substyle "Rock agrícola" (agricultural rock). They began making concerts in the surrounding villages, coinciding in many occasions with the local celebrations.

In 1986 they recorded a sample in Tarragona, which was distributed manually. The following year Lluís Gavaldà moved to the United States, pausing the activity of the group. When he came back, the band was reinforced with Ramon Vidal, a guitar player, and a new section, "Els Vents de Baiona" (sax and trumpets).

The first album is named like the name of the group, and appears in 1989. It is a mix of rockabilly and ska, among other genres. It has clear links with british rock, with references towards groups like The Jam or The Specials. Songs like "Terra Billy" or "No N'hi Ha Prou Amb Ser Català" are examples of their political claims.

Two years after, they recorded Calla i Balla! (DiscMedi, 1991), the second album. They achieved a better sound and became stronger in their local criticism with songs like "Tarragona M'esborrona" (in English, "Tarragona horrifies me") or "Constantí, Molta Merda I Poc Vi". This trend is maintained in the following album Fruits Sex (DiscMedi, 1992), through which they reached the sound quality that defines the first period, adding to the band the guitarist Marc Grau (the producer of the group) and the pianist Toni Saigi.

From 1994 to 1999: Consolidation

Brut Natural (DiscMedi, 1994) represents the maturity of the band, the improvement of the sound that would define the following years. In it, the group combines the original criticism (slightly decreased) with a renewed style. During the year 1995, the band makes a tour throughout Catalonia, the "Gira Cua", and records the live album Vine a la Festa (DiscMedi, 1995). But the total success comes with the album Bondia (DiscMedi, 1997), musically more rocker, which is sold 75.000 times and becomes "Disc d'Or". This success places the band as one of the best in the Catalan rock. With the following studio album, Sol (DiscMedi, 1999), the group marks a difference in the tone of the songs, that become more introspective and melancholic, in detriment of the original criticism.

From 2000 on

In 2001, the band released their eighth album, Respira (DiscMedi, 2001), characterized by more upbeat sound and lyrics than its predecessor. Agost (DiscMedi, 2004) followed in this trend, with an added component of political and social commentary, as well as a richer variety of instruments. More recently, the band have taken part in the film Rock&Cat (2006) a docummentary on Catalan Rock. Els Pets have also continued touring extensively, and in a recent tour they chose to play only theaters and small venues throughout Catalonia, for a more intimate sound.

Com Anar al Cel i Tornar (DiscMedi, 2007) is the latest album of the group. With it, the band has refined its sound by moving further away from their once-trademark rock style and towards classic pop songs inspired by everyday stories and rich in melancholic yet life-affirming lyrics.

Work

Discography

*"La Maqueta" (Autoedited, 1986).
*"Els Pets" (DiscMedi, 1989).
*"Calla i Balla" (DiscMedi, 1991).
*"Fruits Sex" (DiscMedi, 1992).
*"Brut Natural" (DiscMedi, 1994).
*"Vine a la Festa" (DiscMedi, 1995). Live recordings.
*"Bondia" (DiscMedi, 1997).
*"Sol" (DiscMedi, 1999).
*"Respira" (DiscMedi, 2001).
*"Malacara" (DiscMedi, 2002). Sampler.
*"Agost" (DiscMedi, 2004).
*"Com Anar al Cel i Tornar" (DiscMedi, 2007)

pecial editions

*"Els Singles" (DiscMedi, 1991). Sampler with the singles of the first two albums plus "L'avi Martí" and "La Veïna".
*"Cap de Setmana" (DiscMedi, 1993).
*"Això és Espectacle" (DiscMedi, 2006). DVD + live.

Collaborations

*"Com un Huracà. Homenatge a Neil Young" (1996).
*"20 Anys de la Companyia Elèctrica Dharma" (1994).
*"Munta-t'ho Bé". Single (TV3's summer song and two other tracks).

References

* [http://www.elspets.cat Official page] ca icon
* [http://www.botiboti.org Page about catalan music bands] ca icon

Media

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0WAW6ATXlU Bon Dia (Video)]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPqxzGwDIF8 Tarragona M'esborrona (Live)]

External links

* [http://www.discmedi.com/en DiscMedi (Discos del Mediterrani)]
* [http://www.kumbaworld.com/cande.asp?IDBusca=1 Els Pets Lyrics at Kumbaworld.com] ca icon
* [http://www.enderrock.com/ Enderrock, a magazine about catalan music] ca icon
* [http://www.catalunyarock.com CatalunyaRock.com, a web page about Catalan Rock] ca icon

ee also

* Music of Catalonia
* "Obrint Pas"