Banda Machos is a regional Mexican band from Villa Corona, Jalisco.
The band specializes in the technobanda genre. They are best known for popularizing the quebradita dancing style that became popular in the 1990s in Mexico and the United States.
Several of their songs are satirical, filled with sexual innuendos and of double entendres. Some of these include "Las Nachas", "Me Llamo Raquel", "El Próximo Tonto", "La Manguera", and "Sigues Siendo La Reina".
The band has been together for over 30 years and has recorded over 29 albums.
History
Early Years (1990-1992) The band was formed in 1990 with 12 members. They recorded and released their first album, Serian Las Dos, on cassette the following year in 1991. Composed primarily of cumbias, rancheras and corridos, the band's debut achieved moderate success. In 1992, Banda Machos issued their second album, Casimira, with the title track, Leña De Pirul, La Culebra, Un Indio Quiere Llorar, No Soy Monedita De Oro, La Cosita and Traficantes Michoacanos becoming major hits. They also interpreted El Viejo Joven and Un Cariño Como Tu, both well known songs by Joan Sebastian.
Breakthrough success (1992-1995)
The band's breakthrough happened in 1992 following the release of their third album, Sangre De Indio which peaked at number 16 in the Mexican regional album chart This was in large part on the strength of Al Gato Y Al Raton, their biggest hit at the time. Other hits on the album were La Secretaria, Y La Quiere Paco, Escuadras Del Sur, Sangre De Indio, Volvere, Mi Tesoro and Chaparra De Mi Amor. In 1993, they released their fourth album, Los Machos Tambien Lloran. The album featured Guerita, Motivos, Mi Luna, Mi Estrella, Las Nachas, La Carga Del Diablo, Las Mañanitas and Tu Abandono, all of which were popular songs in Mexico and the United States. The album cover was the first to display the band's unique costumes that they gained recognition for. This production included the essential touch of their name by what many call "El Macho" consisting of a figure with a hat and suit. It is usually black, although it has changed color. Gracias Mujer was released in 1994. Hits on the album include Las Habas, La Más Bonita De Todas, El Puchoncito, Mi Otra Mitad, Esclavo y Amo and an interpretation of Bésame Mucho.
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.
Change in Lineups and Continued Success (1995-2001)
During the early 1990s, the band's lead singer was Raúl Ortega, who after this release attempted a solo career with his own band known as Banda Arre. Raul had little success with his solo adventure, so he decided to return to the band in 2001. Machos released two albums, La Reunión and A Prueba De Balas that year. His return was short-lived, and soon after he left for good. During his absence, Raul was replaced by José (Pepé) Elpidio Morfin as lead vocalist. Mi Chica Ideal, released in 1995, had the singles Mi Chica Ideal, Usted, Ella, 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, Chiquita 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 1990s, 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, Mauricio Bueno & Bernando Lomeli opted to leave the band and formed Banda BM3.