Their debut album Pasto was recorded and released in 1992 and has guest appearances by Gustavo Cerati, Daniel Melero and members of other groups which, at the time, were also part of the New Argentinian Rock (or Sonic rock) movement, such as Martes Menta and Juana la Loca. The only single released from Pasto was "D-Generación", which was a minor radio hit at the time and made the upcoming band known to Argentinian listeners. The album has an eclectic style, with many of the tracks being short skits (such as "41" de Ocio", which consists of the band chatting between songs; or "Mutha Fucka", a track which seems to have been made by cutting and pasting together various audio samples taken from TV).
For their second album Trance Zomba, released in 1994, DJ Peggyn joined the band. As a a consequence of the band having now 6 members, this album has a mixture of Rap, Funk and Hardcore Punk, but at the same time even psychedelic rock influences. "Malón", "Montañas de Agua", "Patinador Sagrado" and "Koyote" were the singles released for this album.
In 1996 the band released the highly experimental Dopádromo. This album has all sorts of music from the highly psychedelic "Zumba" and "Su Majestad", hard rock tracks as "El Medium and "Su Ciervo", instrumentals and even a hasta un bossa nova: "Perfume Casino". Destacan también "¡Viva Satana!" and "El Médium" were the biggest hist from this record.
Their fourth album, Babasónica showcased a heavier edge than their previous three, being influenced by heavy metal with distorted riffs and guitar solos on many songs ("Egocripta", "Demonomanía", "El Adversario"). On the other hand, the album has a softer acoustic side, with the delicate ballads "Sharon Tate" and "Esther Narcótica". The band has declared that this was meant to balance out the roughness of the heavier songs. Some tracks even include both stylistic approaches at once making for interesting contrast, like "Parafinada" or "Convoy". Lyrically, the album deals with the concepts of satanism. The band has declared that this approach isn't meant to be taken at face value, but as homage to classic metal, and as an attack on common Western ways of thinking, such as religion.
On their fifth release Miami, DJ Peggyn participated as a member of the band for the last time, he was sacked as his contributions were no longer felt necessary for the band. In 2000 he went for a solo career, renaming himself Jimmy Dolor. The album cover was designed by Alejandro Ros. It is a map of Argentina turned 90 degrees clockwise, resembling a map of the east coast of the United States; the map places a fictional Miami in the Argentinian province of Misiones. After the release of the album, Cosme, their manager, left the band.
After the release of Jessico (2001), Babasónicos shifted into a more pop-influenced sound and reached massive mainstream success, becoming one of Latin America's top bands.
Their follow up records, Infame (2003), Anoche (2005) , Mucho (2008), A Propósito (2011), Romantisismico (2014) and Discutible (2018), further expended this sound and merged it with their early psychedelic and experimental influences.
In 1999 they collaborated with alternative rock artist Ian Brown on a track for his second studio album, Golden Greats, that bears their name.
In early 2008, the official site informed that after a long and painful struggle with Hodgkins lymphoma, bass player Gabriel "Gabo" Mannelli passed away on January the 12th. He was 38 years old.
Since then, Babasónicos teamed up with long-time-friend Carca to temporarily replace Gabo, until late 2011 when Tuta Torres (ex-bassist from Los Látigos) joined the group as their new official bass player, with Carca now serving as a multi-instrumentalist.
Chupa gas
Babasónicos Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nerón, chupa gas
Nerón, chupa gas...
Un sin don,
A parido la tierra,
Él es dios,
Hasta que pisa la tierra
Y al mirar cose luces de seda
No hay, quien lo proteja
Nerón, chupa gas
Nerón, chupa gas
Nerón, chupa gas...
Un sin don
Ha parido la tierra
Él es dios
Y a los hombres aferra
Un millón mas de datos maneja
Y al confiar
Ha perdido la guerra.
Indomito, salvaje, desbocado
La anarquia de los vientos
La abstraccion del abismo
Soy libre y escapo a la caida
Con mi grito glaciar
Escribo la tierra
Y el maquillaje de tundra
Alivia mi cara atomica
The lyrics to Babasónicos's song Chupa gas are both cryptic and metaphorical, making it a challenge to dissect their meaning. However, the repeated phrase "Nerón, chupa gas" can be interpreted as a reference to Nero, the infamous Roman emperor. In this sense, the song may be commenting on the corrupting influence of power and how it can turn anyone into a tyrant.
The following lines suggest that someone who is not blessed with a special talent or gift has been born into the world, but they begin to consider themselves a godly figure once they gain a position of power. However, their hubris leaves them vulnerable to attack or betrayal.
The lines "Un millón mas de datos maneja" might suggest that the person thinks they have control over everything and everyone, but they ultimately lose an internal battle. It's also possible that the song is about someone who's addicted to drugs and their subsequent downfall.
Overall, the song's lyrics are open to interpretation, but they seem to be cautioning against greed, power, and arrogance.
Line by Line Meaning
Nerón, chupa gas
The singer is addressing someone called Nerón who is a gas guzzler.
Un sin don
Describes Nerón as someone without gifts or talents.
A parido la tierra
Nerón was born from the earth or nature itself.
Él es dios
Nerón is god-like or has god-like qualities.
Hasta que pisa la tierra
Nerón is only powerful until he walks on the earth and faces reality.
Al mirar cose luces de seda
Nerón is dazzled by the superficial or luxurious aspects of life.
Al confiar, no hay quien lo proteja
When Nerón trusts, there is no one to protect him.
Un sin don, ha parido la tierra
Again, emphasizing that Nerón lacks gifts or talents and was born from nature.
Y a los hombres aferra
Nerón clings to mankind or is dependent on them.
Un millón mas de datos maneja
Nerón has control over vast amounts of information or data.
Ha perdido la guerra
Nerón has lost the battle or is a failure.
Indomito, salvaje, desbocado
The singer describes themselves as untamed, wild, and uncontrolled.
La anarquia de los vientos
The chaos of the winds is reference to a turbulent and unruly life.
La abstraccion del abismo
The abstract or unclear concept of the abyss is a metaphor for a difficult situation or difficult emotions.
Soy libre y escapo a la caida
The singer is free and escapes from falling into despair or hopelessness.
Con mi grito glaciar
The singer expresses themselves through a chilling and powerful scream or cry.
Escribo la tierra
The singer expresses themselves creatively through writing, possibly poetry.
Y el maquillaje de tundra alivia mi cara atomica
The barren beauty of the tundra provides comfort or solace to the singer's troubled emotions. They refer to their face as atomic, perhaps meaning they are emotionally explosive or unstable.
Contributed by Dominic E. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Pablo S
Indómito, salvaje, desbocado, la anarquía de los vientos,
la seducción del abismo, soy libre y estafo a la caída
con el grito glaciar estrío la tierra,
y el maquillaje de tundras alivia mi cara atómica
Javier Lenis
¡Excelente Canción! Aquí puedes encontrar la letra http://musicancionesyletras.com/letras/letra-chupa-gas/
Jacobo Ferreyra
muy buena cancion d los baba les doy un 8