La Renga is an Argentine hard rock band, formed in 1988.
They had moderate success with the albums A Dónde Me Lleva La Vida and Bailando en una pata, between 1993 and 1995, but it was the release of Despedazado por Mil Partes, in 1996, that made them nationally famous.
With the releases of La Renga in 1998 and La Esquina del Infinito the following year, they gained some international fame, touring and doing concerts in Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, Spain, Mexico, the United States and other countries of Latin America. They have sold over one million albums and DVDs in Argentina.
History
Early years (1988-1992) In 1988, four young men of Mataderos, Buenos Aires celebrated New Year's Day playing covers of Creedence Clearwater Revival, Vox Dei, The Animals, Manal and other bands. Months later they decided to form a band, and thus La Renga was born. The band was formed by Chizzo (lead vocals and rhythm guitar), Locura (lead guitar), Tete (bass) and Tanque (drums). Their first gigs were at Larrazabal Club, Teatros del Plata, Galpones del Sur and some other clubs.
In 1989 they started recording what would become their 1991 album entitled Esquivando Charcos, a totally independent production that was made up of nine songs, seven of which were recorded in studio and two live in the "rehearsal room."
Because of personal problems, "Locura" Dilelio decided to leave the band. The band began the search for a replacement, but did not find anyone suitable, so Chizzo decided to become the band's lead guitarist.
Moderate success (1993-1995) In 1993 A Dónde Me Lleva La Vida was released, which was, again, independently produced, but the requirement to fulfill the public's demand persuaded the band to sign with a major label, PolyGram, with the firm position of not losing artistic independence. Polygram being only in charge of the manufacture and distribution of discs.
In 1994, and after much effort, they managed to completely sell out a concert at Arena Obras Sanitarias, demonstrating a great growth in the following of the band.
In 1995 Bailando En Una Pata was released, which contains live versions of the songs of Esquivando Charcos, accompanied by the song that gives the name to the album, and a version of "Born to Be Wild" by Canadian group Steppenwolf. During 1995 and 1996 La Renga carried out several presentations through Buenos Aires and Greater Buenos Aires.
Rise to fame (1996-2000) At the end of 1996, under the artistic production of Divididos' singer Ricardo Mollo, Despedazado por Mil Partes was released and is presented in Buenos Aires with four performance of the complete album in Obras. This new album sold well and attracted great public attention. This album opened doors worldwide and in 1997 their first international tour took place.
On their return in October they participated along with other Argentine bands in a show in tribute to the twenty years of the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo in front of nearly 20,000 people on the stage of Ferro Carril Oeste. By the end of 1997 La Renga had appeared for the first time in a stadium before 20,000 people affirming the great pull of the band.
In 1998 they appeared on January 1 at the "Tent of Dignity," mounted to protest budget cuts and the lack of importance given to education in Argentina by the government at the time. During 1998 La Renga took it upon themselves to improve the profile of their music in the interior of Argentina, by touring and reaching a new audience. This tour also took them for the first time to Uruguay and later they were invited to appear in Spain. When finalizing this tour the band called a halt to the gigs to begin to producing their fifth recording.
On September 22, 1998 appeared the new album without a title, called by the fans as "the album of the star" in reference to the white star that appears on the cover, which in less than one week became platinum. This disc was promoted in the Argentine capital in two shows on the stage of Atlanta before a total of 48,000 people and with a tour of twenty two Argentine province, finishing at the end of September 1999 in Formosa.
After the tour ended the band performed in the Argentine capital. This time it took the form of two shows in the Estadio Ciudad de Vicente López. La Renga appeared in the Hurricane Stage in two shows where they played songs from their entire repertoire, including the more recent and some songs that would appear on their next album.