The band was formed in September 1996. Band founders MADS (Manuel Dominguez Sarmiento) and Alberto Herz had been thinking about the idea of forming a band for quite some time. MADS had been playing guitar for more than a year by now, and he tried to convince Alberto to get a drumset, which he finally got. Once they had the basic equipment they searched for someone to play bass. The idea was proposed to Santiago Balestrini Robinson, who without any musical experience accepted the task. Initially the members were drawn together by a common admiration of Nirvana and punk bands such as Green Day. Santiago began taking bass lessons and soon afterwards the band was able to begin rehearsing a few songs. However, a singer was still needed. A friend of the band trialed for the position but due to different musical tastes he chose not to take the place.
MADS began singing for the band after some time. The lineup continued stable for six months or so, when they realized a second guitarist was needed for lead work. A friend of Alberto Herz, Santiago Mocorrea, a.k.a. Ripper, was introduced to the band and rehearsed with them for a short while.
The summer holidays of 1997 were cause for an extended rest period of band activity. Rehearsals were resumed, and a few short sets were played for friends of the band. Due to various factors that consumed much of the band's time, they decided to take an extended rest to attend other duties. During the rest period MADS began experimenting with a multitrack recording system, and product of this were the first ever band demos, including To Fail, Down, Can't See The Sun, and Breeding Death. Recordings of previous rehearsal sessions exist, but are not considered good enough because of their very low recorded quality.
MADS began serious work on song ideas to produce the first full-length demo tapes, with creative and conceptual help from Santiago Balestrini Robinson. In early 1998 the band re-forms to follow a more strict rehearsal schedule, and so be able to begin playing small venues. Santiago Mocorrea is once again called to fill in the lead guitarist place, this time as a full-time member. The first demo CD is released, and Soundfreek's exposure begins to increase by word-of-mouth. Later the band grows aware of MP3 technology which permitted major exposure on the Internet.
The band proves to be one of the most succesful alternative bands at MP3.COM, reaching number 1 a large number of times. Songs like Marijuana and I'm So Fucking Tired Of You are instantly recognized as hits, and other songs, such as Nothing Lasts Forever receive critical acclaim (read Doug Cornell's review of this song at http://listen.to/seproblem).
The band had already played a number of small venues, but due to various factors (the vicinity of college being one of the main points) gigs and rehearsals are scarce. Instead the band chooses to begin recording at a faster pace, to convert musical ideas into finished songs. In a short time a large number of songs are produced, and two CDs are released for sale at MP3.COM, unexpected growth and unreleased tracks.
In late 1998 MADS begins writing the bulk of what would become One Long Summer, together with Santiago Balestrini Robinson. The album is released in early 1999 at MP3.COM. Later in 1999 a few more songs are released as S.F. EP. Besides writing songs and releasing albums, there is not too much activity. Rehearsals are scarce and there are few public performances.
In early 1999 longtime drummer Alberto Herz leaves the band to pursue other interests, and is replaced by MADS's brother, Alejandro Dominguez Sarmiento, a.k.a. Ale. By the end of the year the band begins rehersals and work on their new album, the first to be conceived as a whole, instead of collections of isolated songs as it had been in the past. In February 2000 the self-titled Soundfreek is released. 16 songs were recorded, those which don't appear in the album were later released as b-sides at MP3.COM.
In May 2000 Santiago Balestrini Robinson leaves the band to go to college in the USA. Soundfreek decides to become a three-piece band until a proper replacement is found. Meanwhile Santiago Mocorrea takes on bass duties. The band plays a number of venues with great success. Later that year Soundfreek finds a bass player named Joaquín Birba, a.k.a. Moto, from the band Phi. He is invited to join Soundfreek, which he does. Soon Soundfreek is back to speed and a number of shows are played in late 2000. Moto soon afterwards leaves the band. Soundfreek becomes a three-piece once again.
It was now time for Soundfreek to make their ultimate effort: the first truly complete album undertaking of the band's history. 32 songs were professionally recorded in the band's studio after seven months of hard work, with MADS and Ale taking on production duties. The tracks were narrowed down to 12, leaving only the best. The result is Suburbia, the most technically proficient and profound artistical achievement ever produced by Soundfreek.
Suburbia was independently released in September 2001, as well as through MP3.COM. Around this time Soundfreek contacted Martin Chavez, a bass player who had published a classified ad looking for an alternative band. Martin joined Soundfreek as a full-time member, and Soundfreek resumed rehearsals for several shows in late 2001 and in 2002.
Suburbia was very well received by the audience and the media, recieving excelent reviews in the independent media and a good deal of airplay in the nation's radios.
Santiago Mocorrea, a.k.a. Ripper left the band in August 2002 to study in Boston, MA, USA at the renowned Berklee College of Music. Soundfreek will temporarily continue as a three-piece.
Members:
Click on the names to
read their bios
Former members:
Click on the names
to read their bios
 |
Web page
design by Soundfreek Copyright(c) 1998-2002 Soundfreek Last updated on Augus 20th, 2002. |
|
