Formation:
- Luis Solo: Guitar and vocals
- Hugo Delgado "Hugh": Guitars
- Álvaro Martínez Nieto: Bass
- Jesús García "Maguila": Drums and percussion
- Victor "El Peke" Jambrina: Drums and percussion
- Eneko Kortajarena: Saxophone
- Aitor Badiola Artetxe Josu: Trumpet
Genres: A Bilbao-based band active from 1998 to 2005, Los Golfos primarily played Funk-Rock, while also incorporating elements of Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, and Latin music into their sound.
Biography:
Los Golfos was formed in Bilbao in 1998 with a clear goal: to create music for enjoyment, both for themselves and their audience. To this day, they believe they have achieved that goal.
The band plays Funk-Rock 'n' Roll, but is open to influences from other genres such as Blues, Rhythm & Blues, Reggae, and Salsa. The lineup emerged from members of various local bands in the Bilbao music scene, including Platero y Tú, Golfos de Bizkaia, OMS, Bad Taste, Beer Mosh, and JB, uniting to bring an exciting new project to life.
Their rehearsal space is located at the Asociación Musical "La Caldera" in the basement of the Otxarkoaga Civic Center. The members actively participate in the Association's activities: Luis "Solo" serves as President, Hugo "Hugh" is a board member and guitar instructor, Álvaro Martínez teaches bass, and Jesús "Maguila" is the percussion instructor.
The band acknowledges the contributions of past musicians, especially ÁNGEL LORENZO, who was with them from the beginning and recorded their album before stepping away for personal reasons. His unique guitar style and camaraderie are greatly missed, though he continues to collaborate when possible.
Among the drummers who have played with the band, PABLO QUINTANA from Algorta was notable for his two years of dedication, contributing his passion for sound. ANDONI MUNIOZGUREN was brief but unforgettable, and lastly, the "little" yet impactful VICTOR JAMBRINA, who, due to his busy schedule, introduced them to the most recent and "golfo" member, Jesús, who has now returned to the group.
In the previous year, they recorded a self-produced debut CD titled "Me haces correr" at Lorentzo Records. They received assistance from Iñaki "Uoho" Antón (of Platero and Extremoduro fame) and featured Francis Díez (of Doctor Deseo) on the track "María," which received his unique touch. The band hopes this album will help them secure more concerts and potentially attract a record label. They have successfully sold the initial 1,000 copies and have even faced unauthorized distribution.
They express gratitude to Irene López Montes and Iñigo González Serrano, the latter being a former guitarist and vocalist for "Golfos de Bizkaia," for their contributions to the lyrics of "María" and "Me haces correr." Additionally, Iván Díez (vocals) and Javi Prior (harmonica) contributed to the songs "Sigo vivo" and "Me haces correr."
In 2003, the band focused on writing new material for their upcoming CD, which they anticipate releasing by the end of the year. They also composed the anthem "BARAKA ATAKA" for Barakaldo C.F., which has become a significant reference for the club and its fans.
Live performances are central to their identity, and they prioritize delivering engaging shows filled with Funk and Rock 'n' Roll, complemented by the aforementioned styles.
With the current lineup, they have performed at various venues, including MILLENIUM, ROCK N' ROLL, IZANGOAN - DEUSTO, SCOTTISH TERRIER - GETXO, TXIBERRI - URDULIZ, LANBROA, DISTRITO JAMAICA, BLUES, LUBER, and PECATA MINUTA - SANTUTXU, among others, as well as at the ASTE NAGUSIA festival in Bilbao in 2002 and at celebrations in Barakaldo and the neighborhoods of SANTUTXU and OTXARKOAGA. They were finalists in the 2002 Pop-Rock contest at Gazterpe in Leioa and appeared on CANAL BIZKAIA TELEBISTA (Localia TV) in an acoustic format on June 5, 2003.
They are currently working on scheduling concerts in Barakaldo, Karrantza, Bilbao, Sala X-treme (Santurtzi), and Mendigo (Barakaldo). Their aim is to perform widely and increase their recognition.
Discography:
- CD: "ME HACES CORRER" (2002)
- CD Single: "BARAKA ATAKA" (2003) - Rock anthem for Barakaldo C.F.
Influences:
Luis Solo cites influences from Platero Y Tú, Ja, Ja, Ja, and a variety of classic rock bands such as AC/DC, The Rolling Stones, Rush, The Kinks, Lynyrd Skynyrd, and Lou Reed. Álvaro and Eneko emphasize the essence of Rock, Funk, and Rhythm 'n' Blues, while "Hugh" draws inspiration from artists like Satriani, Metallica, Jimi Hendrix, Stray Cats, The Police, and Radiohead. Collectively, Los Golfos identifies as a band rooted in Rock 'n' Roll and Funk, adapting to whatever suits their creative direction at the time, all bound by a solid rhythmic foundation.
The band name "Los Golfos" was chosen because it resonates with their identity, both publicly and privately, aligning well with the music they aspire to create. While they acknowledge that the name may not appeal to everyone, it reflects their essence.