palabras ARACELI CRUZ

Panda’s Amantes Suntamentes landed on my desk several months ago, and though the blinding yellow album cover is hard to ignore, somehow it got lost in the crap that borders my computer.

Fast forward to this summer's Latin Alternative Music Conference. As I sat in my perfectly positioned seat in Bowery Ballroom’s balcony, the guys from Panda took the stage. Instantaneously, before they even played a note, I knew the show was going to rock.

There’s a mysterious essence to the quartet. The guys, Arturo Arredondo (guitar), Jose Madero (singer/guitar), Ricardo Treviño (bass) and Jorge Vazquez (drums), emanate a bad ass quality yet they seem totally down to earth. It’s likely due to their flux of gritty pop-punk/lovey lyrics.

They remind me of MXPX, who straight up look like tattooed hooligans and scream about some chick that looks cute in black hoody’s and star belts. Although they’re young, there is something deeper, more redefined about their message and their music.

With bands like Jaguares and Maná, who’ve been in the 30+ age pool for a while and the Spanish pop sound dominating the charts, the rock en español scene has been definitely dwindling for some time.

Panda thankfully is giving the Spanish hard rock sound resurgence. This year alone, the band has received several nominations from the Latin GRAMMYS and MTV.

After their set at the Bowery, I rummaged around my desk to find Amantes Suntamentes and popped it in the music player, where it still remains. But who are these dudes? All I know is that they’re from Monterrey, Mexico, are super cute and talented.

Here’s getting to know the guys from Panda.

What are your favorite places to visit in the U.S.?

Jorge: Best Buy (laughs) and Los Angeles and New York

Jose: I think L.A or N.Y have been the best places to go. In L.A you always have the strip, which is classic, in N.Y you can get a hot dog almost anywhere or go to the nearest Sbarros and you're all set.

Ricardo: I love to go anywhere in the valley of Texas, especially Hidalgo. There are so many beautiful women, so many beautiful sites.

Do you think you want to move here, if so where?

Ricardo: I prefer living in my hometown, Monterrey, since my whole family is here. If I were to choose to live in a city in the U.S., I’d probably choose Minneapolis since I’ve been a Minnesota Vikings fan since I was 8.

What does your family and friends say about your success?

Ricardo: They are very proud. They've all seen our hard work throughout the years. They think we deserve it.

Who is the first person you call when you hear about a nomination?

Ricardo: My girlfriend

Jose: hmm…no one because the band is almost always together, and people like friends and family tend to know beforehand.

Is it tough being in a rock band?

Jose: Well you change in a way you do not understand. You think you're a different person after playing so many dates, but then you're not. Or, you think you're gonna go back home to your old life but it's a little bit warped....It's just something weird that's difficult to explain, but besides that whole eerie part, the rest is the same. Sometimes it is just hard to think if we are really gonna do this for the rest of our lives or not, it's a pretty tough business to get into, and the other tough part is just being tired and wanting to go back home and never get on another plane or van again.

Ricardo: The time you miss your folks and loved ones back home. Promotion of an upcoming album is also so very tough.

Tell me about the making of Amantes Suntamantes.

Jose: That album was put for sale at a record store in like a month and a half. We all agreed that it was gonna be just another record and that it's subject was gonna be a little bit more cynical towards love (as we grow we mature and the thematic of our albums as well)....that was it. Our last album before this one, was agreed upon being crude or raw...with no outside instruments what so ever... on Amantes we used a little bit of synthesizers and effects pedals like delay etc...

What are some bands that have influenced you?

Jorge: Pantera, Refused, Primus, 311

Ricardo: Rush, Peter Gabriel, Genesis, Meat Loaf.

Arturo: I was into the Deftones, Korn, Pantera, Incubus, 311 now I like bands like Brand New, Nightmare of You, Jay-Z, Bjork.

Where do you like to shop?

Jorge: Carls Jr, Best Buy, Target, Guitar center and Victoria Secret for my wife.

Jose: Any Urban Outfitters is good. We try to stay away from clothes that have brands all over them. Amoeba record stores in L.A are cool too.

What are some of your favorite websites?

Jose: doodie, fantasy football, ebaumsworld, howstuffworks.

Ricardo: facebook, gmail and youtube.

Who is the funniest member of Panda and why?

Ricardo: Arturo because all the strange things happen to him, and he gets mad with himself really funny.

Name some of your favorite movies

Jose: High Fidelity, Eyes Wide Shut, Scent of a Woman, Trading Places, Coming to America, Stripes, Mullholand Drive.

Ricardo: It’s a tie between Dead Poets Society, American Beauty, Forrest Gump and maybe Remember the Titans.

How do you see the sound of Panda evolving in the future?

Jose: Well we don't know, that's the best part. We always think it's gonna come out a certain way but it comes out different. We just know that if we wanna drastically change the band we couldn’t. The sound we already have is a trademark that we can't change.

Ricardo: It’s always evolving in a way I can’t describe. We just keep getting better in our instruments, and writing more music when on vacations. I just know it will sound different every time we release something. We never repeat formulas.

What is your favorite part about touring?

Jose: That if feels like you're on vacation going to hotels and eating out all the time and then you get to play rock star (laughs).

Jorge: Pay day (laughs) and when we are in the stage.

Ricardo: The stage, playing live. When you're touring you're really just "making" time for those two hours you are on stage. That’s the thing I most like.

Where would you love to play (a specific city or venue)?

Jorge: In the playboy mansion.

Jose: We would really like to tour Europe. There is something really mystical over there that we cannot help but desire to go to.

Arturo: Staples Center in L.A.... Radio City Music Hall in N.Y or Madison Square Garden... I would be lying if i didn't say that really, who wouldn't.

Ricardo: In the U.S. it would be the Metrodome, home of the Vikings (laughs), Madison Square Garden. Other than the U.S. maybe Spain, Germany, Italy. Japan would be cool.

If you could open for one band, who would it be?

Jorge: Red Hot Chili Peppers & 311 (together)

Ricardo: Peter Gabriel. Even though our music is nothing like his, I’m an eternal fan.

Arturo: Queen, Pink Floyd, Led Zepplin, The Doors

What is your favorite cereal?

Jose: Captain Crunch, Choco Crispies, Zucaritas, All Bran

Ricardo: A tie between Count Chocula and Cookie Crisp.

Do you guys have girlfriends?

Jorge: I am happily married without children

Jose: Yes we do.