(Jose Girl)
Many have known Enrique Bunbury from his prolific singing days with Spanish rock band Héroes del Silencio, which formed in the mid-1980s. Since the late mid-1990s, Bunbury has embarked on a solo career. The group, however, joined forces again in 2007 for a 10-show world tour, which included a concert here in Los Angeles.
Is there another reunion in the making?
“It’s been thought of, but I’ll keep the rest to myself,” says Bunbury coyly.
Bunbury has released several albums, featuring the well-regarded Licenciado Cantinas (2011) and last year’s Palosanto. He’s now in the midst of preparing for an 11-city U.S. tour, which includes a Sept. 5 show at the Greek Theatre.
“This tour is very special for us,” says Bunbury, dressed in a sophisticated rock ensemble, a pair of Ray-Ban aviator shades hanging from his T-shirt, oversized earrings in each ear and a head of wavy hair. “We’re coming here again [after] many years, with the same show we took to Spain and other Latin-American countries. It’s an ambitious live show. We’re very proud of it, and that’s why it’s noteworthy that this is a rather potent show we are bringing here to Los Angeles; we highly recommend it. Everyone’s going to have a good time.”
Bunbury adds, “For us, it’s becoming a special tour. We are enjoying it like no other.”
But how has the public reacted to Bunbury’s new material when he performs live?
“It’s been incredible,” he says. “Audiences have responded very well to all the songs, and I’m very grateful for that.”
The 45-year-old cites that some of the best performances were at home in his native Spain, and he hopes that his U.S. shows are of the same caliber.
“We’re playing one song of Héroes [del Silencio] on this tour,” says Bunbury. “But, in a way, we are opening Pandora’s box with the classic repertoire, and I don’t dismiss continuing to perform more songs from my first profession musically.
“Over the years I’ve delivered a solo career, but I think it’s time to reconcile both phases and convey to the public that both phases are part of the same person in writing and composing songs.”
It’s been noted that oftentimes it’s rather complex to classify Bunbury’s music. He could easily be in the electro-rock segment, but then also in the obvious genres of rock en Español, Latin rock, Euro indie and even post-punk.
That’s one of the most prominent reasons why he’s so beloved and musically successful; he doesn’t stick to one particular music scene. He either evolves on his own or adapts to change, which in itself is completely remarkable.
“In the 30 years or so of my career, I’ve been releasing different types of albums with Héroes del Silencio and solo,” he says. “Albums about anarchy or the Mediterranean or the Latin side, and then of course other albums I’ve done [with my band] Los Santos Inocentes in which I’ve investigated the roots of rock and that of Latin America, which have been the base of my evolution as a musician. I’ve also done more spiritual and human stuff, such as in the last album.”
Take for instance the track “Los Inmortales” from Palosanto. Given how musically masterful Bunbury is, compartmentalizing this tune is no easy task. It’s mellow, rich in rocky beats, but it also appears to carry a nostalgic, dark side that leads to a spiritual and human connection.
“I’ve felt, to some degree, like I was somewhat of a robot at one point,” says Bunbury. “But I’ve been a human for the majority of my life.”
Enrique Bunbury performs Sept. 5 at the Greek Theatre. For more information, visit enriquebunbury.com.
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