Banda Machos - 1990s and Beyond

1990s and Beyond

The band became known early on as "La Reina de las Bandas" (Queen of the Bands), both because of their unique costumes and their early contributions to the Quebradita genre.

In 1993, Banda Machos was awarded by Univisión's Lo Nuestro for Revelation of the Year in the Mexican/Regional category, achieving a Furia Musical award for Best Mexican Band. Banda Machos' "Zappa Mambo" was featured in the movie My Family, produced by Francis Ford Coppola in 1995. After 1994's Gracias Mujer, lead singer Raul Ortega left Banda Machos and formed his own band. During his absence, Raul was replaced by José (Pepe) Elpidio Morfin as lead vocalist. Mi Chica Ideal, released in 1995, had the singles Mi Chica Ideal, Usted, Te Lo Debo A Ti and Si La Miro Mañana, that dominated the charts. The album proved to be a big seller. In 1996, they followed up with Palabra De Machos. The majority of the album's success came from the singles Morenaza, Se Lo Dejo A Dios, Mala, Chiquilla Bonita and Entre Perico Y Perico. The album's cover dubbed Banda Machos La Reina De Las Bandas (Queen of the Bands), a name that was given to the band. In 1997, their album Historia Sin Fin was released with great anticipation. The title track, Ya Lo Pagaras, Muevete, Tres Minutos, Me Canse De Ti and Sentimiento Navideño were the most popular songs on the album. The band continued steadily releasing new material well into the late '90's, such as 1998's Vivir Sin Ella (which included Besame y Abrazame, Las Mafias del Norte and Sierras Milagrosas) and 1999's Rancheras De Oro. Rancheras De Oro featured En Toda La Chapa, No Compró Amores and Recuérdame Y Ven, the latter two having a music video. In 2000, Me Llamo Raquel, from their 11th studio album, Mi Guitarra Y Yo, took over radio waves in the United States and Latin America. Other songs include Fracase, Si Los Caminos Hablaran, A Capa y Espada, Los Dos Zacatecanos, A Mover El Bote and Ya No Me Dejo. After Mi Guitarra Y Yo, lead vocalist José Morfin opted to leave the band and formed Banda BM3. In 2001, with the return of Raul Ortega, Banda Machos released La Reunion and A Prueba De Balas. The majority of La Reunion featured duets with Mexican singers and two previously unreleased tracks (Muriendo de Amor and Fuera De Mi). A Prueba De Balas scored big with the title track, La Ruquita and Esa Chiche Vieja. This album was the most controversial because Banda Machos would be without their two star vocalists, as this was the final departure of Raul Ortega. In 2002, the band had not lost its essence, newcomers Eric Perez and Julio César Guerrero sharing lead vocals, Banda Machos released their self-titled album, which featured the hit, La Suegra. In 2003, Banda Machos released El Cantante Del Siglo Y La Reina De Las Bandas in honor of Pedro Infante. In 2004, the band released Pura Pasion, which featured Te Vas, La Manguera and La Noche Que Murio Chicago. Time after, Alejandro Díaz joined Banda Machos and shared lead vocals with Julio César and in 2005, Banda Machos released Alma De Fuego. La Negra Le Pone was the lead single of the album. They celebrated their 15th year as band by performing for a live audience in Morelia. The entire performance was presented and is available on DVD. In early 2006, 20 Mil Heridas was released and nominated for a Grammy for Best Banda Album. Hits include 20 Mil Heridas, Regalenme Aire, Sueños Compartidos and Chivas Del Corazón. A Pesar De Todo was released in the spring of 2007. Songs on the album include the title track, Cuatro Meses, El Chubasco, Copa Tras Copa, El Día Que Me Muera and Entre Copa y Copa. In 2008, El Proximo Tonto, the band's 20th studio album in eighteen years, was released with the title track, La Novia Coja and No Hay Problema becoming hits. Banda Machos released Estas Seleccionada in 2009 with Arremangala Arrempujala as the lead single. Other songs that generated album sales are La Petacona and Te Lavaste La Cara, El Mono No. Currently, the lead vocalists are Alejandro Díaz and Julio César Guerrero. The back up singers are Rubén de Landa and Agustín Mariscal.

Their songs are often satirical, filled with sexual innuendos and of double entendres. Among these we could include, for example "Las Nachas", "Me Llamo Raquel", "El Profesor" and "La Manguera".