Originaly formed by Enrique Villareal "El Drogas" (bassist and vocalist), José (Drums), Sergio Osés (second guitar), all three coming from the band Kafarnaún, and Javier Hernandez "Boni" (guitarist and vocalist).
They gave their first concert in April 1982 in the Txantrea square, an even that's remembered because they played without any scenery and directly surrounded by people. (Barricada would play exactly 25 years later in the same conditions, in the same exact place reuniting numerous fans despite it was almost not advertised).
Mikel Astrain substituted José at the drums to record their first album "Noche de Rock&Roll" (1983), produced by Rosendo
Just after releasing their first album Sergio had to leave the band because of the obligatory military service and Alfredo Piedrafita became the new guitarist. In 1984 Mikel died because of a stroke and Fernando Coronado became the drumer.
This formation that would stay stable until 2002 recorded the second album "Barrio Conflictivo" (1985). In this year they were chosen as "Best group from Navarra".
For their third album "No hay tregua" (1986) they joined the multinational RCA that tried to censor 8 of the tracks, but thanks to the strong pressure by Rosendo the album was released without changes. The band left RCA anyway.
They recorded "No se que hacer contigo" (1987) with the label Polygram Iberica, despite all efforts by the band the label censored the song "Bahia de Pasaia" that reminds the controversial murder of four members of CAA, one of them a personal friend of "El Drogas".
The fifth album "Rojo" (1988) is the personal favorite of the band
They would suffer censorship again in "Pasion por el Ruido" (1989) because of the song "En nombre de Dios", a critic to Opus Dei
The bands success kept increasing and they obtained a Golden Record award with "Doble Directo" (Live - 1990) and two Platinum Records for "Por instinto" (1991) and "Balas blancas" (1992). but it also meant distancing from their traditional sound and fanbase.
"La Araña" (1994), "Insolencia" (1996), and Salud y "Rock&Roll" (Live - 1997) mark a decline in the commercial success of the band, and they finally decide to leave the label Polygram Iberica.
"Acción directa" (2000) revisits their traditional powerful sound, yet proves the evolution of the band for joy of the original fanbase. This also means a recovery in their success.
After "Besame" (2002), the last studio album up to date, Fernando leaves the band and Ibon Sagarra "Ibi" becomes the new drummer.
Since then Barricada centres their activity in live performances.
Later Releases include "Un camino de piedras" (2003) a tribute to Barricada by 13 well known artists and close friends. "Latidos y mordiscos" (2006) a double live album that includes Sax, Orchestra and a small chorus and "25 años de rocanrol"(2008) a compilation consisting of 2 CDs 2 DVDs and a book.
The Basque film director Juanma Bajo Ulloa, a close friend, has conducted some of their clips, and the band members appear as extras in his film Airbag
https://www.facebook.com/Barricada.Oficial
En la silla electrica
Barricada Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
¿Por qué llorar en silencio
o vivir de rodillas?
Encerrados como ratas
trabajando entre rendijas
sólo oyes palabras duras.
Un, dos, un dos tres y...
Eres un malhechor
perseguido por la policía
machacas furioso el asfalto
para borrar la pesadilla
detened ya esta carrera
que el infierno se aproxima
lleva una antorcha en la mano
porque la noche siempre es fría.
Daos prisa, daos, daos prisa
si quieres aplastarme ahora
daos prisa, daos, daos prisa
preparad la silla eléctrica.
Hace ya mucho tiempo
que comenzó la partida
somos carne de batalla
por una causa perdida.
Con tus luchas callejeras
han temblado las columnas
el viejo castillo de piedra
va perdiendo sus locuras.
Daos prisa, daos, daos prisa
si quieres aplastarme ahora
daos prisa, daos, daos prisa
preparad la silla eléctrica.
Si te estorban las cadenas
rómpelas y ponte en pie
lucha por no ser esclavo
y no preguntes por qué.
The lyrics of Barricada's En La Silla Eléctrica encourages listeners to question why they are waiting for a sign or living on their knees. The song speaks of breaking free from the chains of societal norms and fighting for one's beliefs. The chorus speaks of being a malhechor or criminal who is being pursued by the police, but who refuses to be caught and executed in the electric chair. The lyrics also touch upon the idea of being oppressed by those in power, and fighting against them with "street battles" that have destabilized the foundation of the "old stone castle".
Line by Line Meaning
¿Por qué esperar una señal?
Why wait for a signal?
¿Por qué llorar en silencio
Why cry in silence
o vivir de rodillas?
Or live on your knees?
Encerrados como ratas
Trapped like rats
trabajando entre rendijas
Working in the cracks
sólo oyes palabras duras.
Only hearing harsh words.
Eres un malhechor
You are a criminal
perseguido por la policía
Chased by the police
machacas furioso el asfalto
Furiously pounding the pavement
para borrar la pesadilla
To erase the nightmare
detened ya esta carrera
Stop this race now
que el infierno se aproxima
Because hell is approaching
lleva una antorcha en la mano
Carrying a torch in hand
porque la noche siempre es fría.
Because the night is always cold.
Daos prisa, daos, daos prisa
Hurry up, hurry up, hurry up
si quieres aplastarme ahora
If you want to crush me now
preparad la silla eléctrica.
Prepare the electric chair.
Hace ya mucho tiempo
It's been a long time
que comenzó la partida
Since the game began
somos carne de batalla
We are battle meat
por una causa perdida.
For a lost cause.
Con tus luchas callejeras
With your street fights
han temblado las columnas
The columns have trembled
el viejo castillo de piedra
The old stone castle
va perdiendo sus locuras.
Is losing its madness.
Si te estorban las cadenas
If the chains bother you
rómpelas y ponte en pie
Break them and stand up
lucha por no ser esclavo
Fight to not be a slave
y no preguntes por qué.
And don't ask why.
Contributed by Gavin W. Suggest a correction in the comments below.