Alfonso André, drummer of the famed rock en español group Caifanes, is on the phone from his home in Mexico City, laughing as he says he hopes to die on stage. “When it’s my time, I would love to go in the middle of a huge drum solo.”
But first, André has work to do. Three and a half decades after the band’s inception, the members of Caifanes are in their late 60s and they never envisioned they’d still be touring the globe as their hair turned gray.
But after wrapping up several spring concert dates in Latin America, the “Afuera” rockers are now in the midst of a two-month North American tour that they’re co-headlining with the Mexican alt-rock band, Café Tacvba. The tour arrives which arrives in Chula Vista on Saturday.
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Alfonso André, drummer for the Mexican rock band Caifanes.
(Edward Sifuentes)
André says Caifanes is reinvigorated, albeit a bit surprised, by their steadfast fanbase of Gen Zers and millennials.
“The band has been around for so long that the last few years or so, especially after the pandemic, we always expected to have more old heads on our audiences,” he jokes. “But there’s a lot of very young kids who know the songs better than Saúl, our lead singer.”
The younger fans belting Caifanes hits at concerts today were only in diapers or hadn’t yet been born when the songs first hit airwaves, but André says his twenty-something fans know the tracks by heart and sing them with passion. “The barrier of the generations was broken with Caifanes,” says André, adding that the band doesn’t know how or why it happened, “but we love it.”
The storied history of Caifanes — currently comprised of Saúl Hernández on vocals and guitar, Marco Renteria on bass, Rodrigo Baills on lead guitar, Diego Herrera on keyboards and saxophone, and André on drums — reflects the explosive rise of rock in Mexico City during the mid-’80s.
Hernández and André became fast friends in high school; the pair shared a passion for music. At the time, rock wasn’t mainstream in Mexico, and definitely not considered a focal point in the Latin music industry. Inspired by the burgeoning post-punk and new-wave movements emanating from the U.S., as well as the rich tapestry of traditional Mexican music, the two developed a musical fusion that would define their sound, and in Mexico City circa 1987, Caifanes was born.
The duo’s vision expanded when they joined forces with Sabo Romo, Caifanes’ former bassist, and keyboardist Herrera. With each member bringing their unique musical influences and talents to the table, Caifanes crafted a distinctive sound that defied easy categorization. Their music seamlessly blended rock with Mexican folklore and a myriad of synthy elements, creating a sonic tapestry that resonated deeply with audiences and defied conventional labels.
Back then, the Mexican government frequently condemned rock culture as “evil,” which forced bands and rockeros into warehouses and underground venues. When Caifanes played its first official show to a sold-out crowd at Rockotitlán in 1987, the punk and new wave movements were in full swing. The band swiftly captured the attention of fans craving both rock music and a space to dance fervently, paving the way for the band’s meteoric rise.
“Back in the day — ages ago — me and Saúl would explore and play different small venues within the city and most times it just felt like you either had to be in the rock scene or you were an outcast. But it was very important for us to stay true to who we were because it’s what we loved. Some nights we played to a few people and others were packed. But as the community grew, so did our shows.”
The group disbanded due to internal differences in 1995, and Caifanes called it quits after an August show in San Luis Potosí. Hernández and André broke off from the others, and from the turmoil emerged a new group: Jaguares. The new band retained a similar sound but introduced a heavier progressive rock tone, and went on to win best Latin rock album at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards in 2009.
They played together for several years until an unexpected opportunity arose: a chance for Caifanes to reunite for a set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2011. As Hernández describes it, the gig marked “a new beginning” for the band, reigniting their passion and setting the stage for a remarkable resurgence.
The original members came back once more, ushering in a renewed era for the band. Starting in 2019, the band released new singles, including “Heridos,” “Sólo Eres Tú,” and “Inés.”
The pandemic ushered in another layer of regrouping for the band, prompting them to explore new textures of sounds and stories during their time apart. This period of reflection and adaptation ultimately fueled a surge of energy among the members, motivating them to embark on an extensive touring schedule as soon as circ*mstances allowed.
“One of the saddest times in my life was during the pandemic when everything just stopped,” André says. “We couldn’t perform for almost three years. It was terrible being away from playing on stage for so long. It’s like nutrients; it’s oxygen for us, and we need it to survive. So, to have the opportunity to tour, play, and travel this way is everything to us. There’s nothing better. We’re enjoying it so much now, and I feel like the passion and energy are more than it was before because, for us, this isn’t a job; it’s what we are meant to do. You know, you can sense it when we perform. There’s so much life happening.”
Caifanes and Café Tacvba
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: North island Credit Union Amphitheatre, Chula Vista
Tickets: $48-$308
Online: livenation.com
Alvarado writes for the Southern California News Group.
