A Tuneful Martian Invasion: Los Enanitos Verdes
DATELINE: Puente del Inca, Argentina, 1979. At the natural arch outside the industrial city of Mendoza, a visiting family took a photo of what appeared to be some 100 little green "extraterrestrials" wandering the highlands. A journalist friend of Marciano Cantero could only laugh when he saw this in the local paper, and dubbed Cantero's then brand-new band Los Enanitos Verdes (literally, "Little Green Men").
"We took that name as a joke at the beginning," says frontman Cantero, his nickname (Marciano means "martian") given to him by that same friend. "We honestly didn't think it'd stick for as long as it did."
Turning 29 years this month, Los Enanitos are more than just veteran musicians; the trio helped bring to light the rock en español movement, starting out in Mendoza pubs, then selling out stadiums throughout Latin America, spreading their positive messages through catchy rock ballads.
Among the most requested songs at Enanitos concerts include the rock-pop appreciation of good friends and not letting them escape in "Mariposas"; the hard guitar riffs in "Muralla Verde" about love lost; and "Lamento Boliviano," a powerful tribute to the indigenous races of Latin America, featuring soft guitar strums accented by Andean chants and zampoña panflute.
Cantero describes Enanitos as a true "working band" and relishes feeding off the energy of a live crowd. "It's kind of like when [Diego] Maradona touches a soccer ball," he says.
"It's incredible how much pure joy he shows when he plays, and our fans can truly feel it in their skin — how much we truly love performing for them."
» State Theatre, 200 N. Washington, Falls Church; Sat., Nov. 15, 9 p.m., $30 in advance; $35 at the door; 703-237-0300.
Written by Alfredo Flores
Photo courtesy losenanitosverdes.net
Print
Addison Road
Enanitos song, Lamento Boliviano is got to be the greatest lie of an excuse to claim it as a tribute to the indigenous of South America. First off, Bolivia is a country, therefore, by implication, Enanitos are calling all Bolivian indigenous and if one reads between the lines, they are conveying that they are helpless. Second, the line, "yo estare borracho y loco" conveys that all Bolivians are helpless drunks. If so, how is this song a tribute to the indigenous?
By Jorge Parrado , Posted November 13, 2008 12:12 PMit sounds like it's more of an tributtal insult to the indigenous. Again, read between the lines.
As for the band being a working band, they obviously forgot their humbling beginnings, as they don't allow local bands to open up for them. Why is that? If they are a working band, then they should also allow and help promote up and coming bands from the local venues so to further help the Latin Rock movement. Their refusal to do so, only furthers the careers of Raggaeton pretty boy bands, and really, can you really call that genre music?
Enanitos may sound wonderful to the "dumb it down for me" consumer mind but clearly they aren't what they appear to be, both as individuals and as an influential band.
In the interview with Marciano Cantero, he notes that Lamento Boliviano is narrated from the point of view of a Spaniard during the colonial days, who laments about what he's done to the indigenous people of Bolivia and other South American countries. The chorus, "Yo estare borracho y loco (I'll be drunk and crazy)," is spoken by the lamenting Spaniard and how he copes with his guilt, and not a Bolivian. Cantero has never said that "all Bolivians are helpless drunks."
Cantero also notes that Enanitos usually does have a local rock band open for them in most cities, and said in English during the interview to "support your local bands," since Enanitos was once an opening band that was helped immensely by touring with larger, more established groups. It is unknown if Enanitos will have an opening band at their show this Saturday.
By Alfredo Flores , Posted November 13, 2008 3:45 PM