The name Caifanes is derived from 1940’s Mexican Pachuco (zoot suiter) slang "Cai fan" , it’s equivalent in English would be something like, “cool dude.” The word has also been used to describe the proverbial Mexican Pachuco, delinquent, or outsider.
Early Years:
The seeds of what was to later become Caifanes was planted in 1984 in the band Las Insolitas Imágenes de Aurora (Aurora's Unusual Images), a band that included Saúl Hernández, Alfonso André and Alejandro Marcovich. According to Marcovich, this project started out as a side project for the purpose of performing as a party band for the filming of his brother’s Carlos film projects. (Carlos Marcovich went on to direct various videos for Caifanes).
At the time, both Hernández and Marcovich were playing in different bands. The members enjoyed the experience of playing in "Insolitas" and decided to continue. As the seriousness of the project grew, the band began to play in different spots in Mexico City like Rockotitlán, High Tower, and El Jabalí. In May of 1986, Insolitas recorded a live demo performed at Rockotitlán. By then the band had developed a strong cult following in Mexico City.
"Insólitas" broke up in 1986. Saúl and Alfonso reformed as Caifanes with bass player/producer Sabo Romo and Diego Herrera on keyboards and sax.
Caifanes’ first live show was April 11, 1987, in Rockotitlán. Expectations were high, the building was filled to capacity and many people were left outside. Their popularity began to grow throughout Mexico City. By late 1987 Caifanes had carved a niche for themselves as a dark contrast to the corporate pop/rock and light ballads that dominated Mexican radio and television during the 1980’s. At times the image and the sound were considered radical for a very conservative Mexican music industry. Between December 28, 1986 and January 3, 1987 Juan Aceves produced a four song demo for the band using "free" studio time at night at Arco Studio (where Aceves was chief engineer). The demo was showcased in independent radio program Espacio 59 (Space 59), a show that promoted up and coming rock bands. With the demo under their arms Caifanes approached CBS Mexico. According to sources, Caifanes’ were not treated nicely. The musical director at the time shunned them for dark new wave attire and said, “You look like fags.” At the time, Caifanes’ sound and look was influenced by British post-punk groups such as The Cure and The Jesus and Mary Chain. They dressed in black suits and sported frizzly hair and makeup. This was too radical for the Mexican CBS executives. Upon hearing the demo of “Sera Por Eso?” (Is It Because of That?), the CBS executive uttered these words, “At CBS, our business is to sell records, not coffins.”
Nevertheless, the movement of Rock en Español (Spanish rock) or rock en tu idioma (Rock in your language) was too strong to ignore by record execs. The flood of groups from Spain and Argentina forced Mexican labels to take a second look at up-and-coming Mexican bands. Caifanes received a big break when Ariola records invited them to open for Argentinean rocker Miguel Mateos’ Mexico City show. The show brought Cafaines to the attention of Miguel Mateos’ producer Oscar "Cachorro" Lopez. Oscar fell in love with the band and took them to the studio to record a demo. Lopez would be instrumental in their signing to RCA-Ariola and would go on to produce their first two albums.
Caifanes’ debut album, the self-titled Caifanes (also known as Mátenme Porque Me Muero, or Volumen I) was released in August 1988 by RCA-Ariola. The LP was preceded by an EP made up of three songs. This was in order to test the market. The immediate sale of 300,000 copies of the EP cemented the bands appeal. The first single “Mátenme Porque Me Muero” ("Kill Me Because I'm Dying") became a minor hit in Mexico City. With the release of their first album Caifanes became notable trendsetters in and around central Mexico. The first three singles garnered sufficient radio play. In December of 1988 Caifanes released a cover of Cuban folk singer Guillermo Rodriguez Fiffe’s classic tropical dance song, “La Negra Tomasa,” (Black Girl Tomasa) as a maxi Single es: La negra Tomasa. The song was a massive hit in Mexico and introduced Caifanes to a wider audience nationally and abroad.
Mexico’s Most Important Band:
By 1989 Caifanes had emerged as one of the hottest rock acts to come from central Mexico. In June Caifanes played two sold out shows at Mexico’s Auditorio Nacional (National Auditorium), a 10,000 person venue – a first for a Mexican rock band.
In late 1989 Caifanes began to record their second album in New York City. The record was produced by Oscar Lopez who was aided by Gustavo Santaolalla and Daniel Freiberg. El Diablito (The Little Devil) was released in July of 1990 through BMG Records. The most notable change for the band was the addition of former Insolitas guitarist Alejandro Marcovich. Marcovich’s textural guitar work considerably changed Caifanes’ sound and cemented the “classic” Mexican rock sound that Caifanes became famous for. “La Celula Que Explota” (The Exploding Cell), with its brushes of mariachi and bolero guitars and a crescendo of mariachi trumpets became both a signature of the band as well as a massive hit. Hernandez’ lyrics and somber vocals complemented Marcovich’s lyrical playing. The haunting “Sombras en Tiempos Perdidos” (Shadows in Times Lost) and the ethereal “De Noche Todos Los Gatos Son Pardos” (All Cats Are Dark at Night), give the album a most sublime imprint.
By this time Caifanes along with Maná, Fobia, Maldita Vecindad y los Hijos del Quinto Patio, La Lupita, and Cafe Tacuba helped to move Mexican Rock toward a wider audience and catapulted the Rock En Español movement of the 1990’s.
In 1992, Caifanes released El Silencio (The Silence). Recorded in Wisconsin and produced by the prolific guitarist Adrian Belew, of King Crimson fame, "El Silencio" further cemented the Caifanes sound and had and a more direct guitar driven sound. “No Dejes Que” (Don’t Let It...”), “Estás Dormida” (You’re Asleep), “Debajo de Tu Piel” (Under Your Skin), and the soaring “Nubes” (Clouds) would go on to become Mexican rock staples. The influence of Belew, who also played guitar on the album, was felt strongest in “Hasta Morir” (Until Death), “Tortuga” (Turtle), and “Vamos a Hacer un Silencio” (Lets Make a Silence). With its string of hits, its multi-ethnic hybrid of rock and traditional Mexican music, El Silencio is considered to be on of Caifanes’ best albums and one of the most influential records of the Rock En Español genre.
Caifanes toured extensively in support of the album. By this time, the group had started to make inroads into Central and South America as well as in the United States. In August of 1992 Caifanes sold out the Hollywood Palladium. In 1993 Caifanes became the first Mexican rock group to sell out Mexico City's Palacio de los Deportes (Sports Palace).
By late 1993 Caifanes became a three piece with the exit of Romo and Herrera. Federico Fong and Stuart Hamm filled in on bass and Yann Zaragoza played the keyboard. No one knew what to expect of Caifanes after the loss of two founding members. 1994’s El Nervio Del Volcán (The Volcano’s Nerve), released by BMG exceeded the expectations of both critics and fans alike. El Nervio showed Caifanes at the height of their power. With a heavier more progressive sound, "El Nervio" highlighted the musician’s virtuosity as well as their tight playing and arrangements. Signature elements, Marcovich’s staccato guitar work, Alfonso’s polyrythmic drumming and Hernandez’s brooding and haunting vocal style were even more prominent. “Afuera” the first single seamlessly fused distinct rock grooves with an ethnic inspired guitar solo. “Aquí no es así” (“It’s Not Like That Here”), and "Ayer Me Dijo Un Ave" (“A Bird Told Me Yesterday”) became radio favorites. “Aviéntame” (Throw Me), is as dynamic and powerful as the best American and British prog and alternative acts.
1994 was a stellar year for Caifanes, who were at the height of their popularity. Caifanes along with Maná was one of Mexico's premier stadium rock acts, selling out stadiums in Mexico and large venues throughout Latin America and the United States. At this time Caifanes had cemented their reputation as one of the most important Mexican rock bands of all time. They were a staple in Latin MTV, Rock en Español radio and appeared regularly at music festivals. In 1994, Caifanes opened up for The Rolling Stones in Mexico City and participated in Peter Gabriel's WOMAD festival.
Breakup:
1995 would mark the end of Caifanes. According to various sources, Hernández and Marcovich’s relationship was strained. On the 18th of August 1995 Caifanes played their final show in the Mexican city of San Luis Potosí. A legal scuffle over the name “Caifanes” ensued forcing Saúl Hernández to choose the name Jaguares (Jaguars) for his new project, which built on the legacy of Caifanes, as it was not too much of a radical departure of the Caifanes sound. Hernández was joined by former Caifanes and Insolitas drummer Alfonso André.
Reunion:
On December 14th, 2010, it was announced by Twitter that the band would be reuniting for the Vive Latino festival and the Coachella Festival of 2011, after a reconciliation between Hernández and Marcovich.
Some of Caifanes' Guest Musicians and Collaborators:
Chucho Merchán (bass), Federico Fong (bass), José Manuel Aguilera (guitar), Stuart Hamm (bass), Gustavo Cerati (guitar), Adrian Belew (guitar), Yann Zaragoza (keyboards), Cecilia Toussaint (backing vocals).
Studio Albums:
Caifanes or, (Mátenme Porque Me Muero / Volumen 1) (1988)
El Diablito or, Volumen 2 (1990)
El Silencio (1992)
El Nervio Del Volcán (1994)
Los Dioses Ocultos
Caifanes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Como lo hacen los locos?
¿Por qué no puedo aullarlo todo
Como lo hacen los lobos?
¿Por qué no puedo resignarme
Y aguantarme hasta la risa?
¿Por qué uno quiere lanzarse desde lo alto
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Por qué no puedo desgarrarme la piel
Hasta lograr un vacío?
¿Por qué uno se retuerce entre rincones
Mirando al cielo en busca de alguien?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
Fatal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
The lyrics to Caifanes's song Los Dioses Ocultos address the internal struggles and existential questions that plague the human psyche. The singer begins by questioning why he cannot behave as erratically as a crazy person or express himself through physicality like a wolf; the implication being that societal norms restrain individuals, and they are not free to behave as they feel. This is further exemplified when the singer questions why he cannot contain his laughter or distract himself from turmoil by jumping off a high place. The chorus then shifts to wonder if these questions and emotions are due to "hidden gods" or something internal to the individual. The singer questions if these thoughts and feelings are mortal decisions or if they are guided by the divine.
The second half of the song continues to question the human experience. The singer wonders why they cannot "tear their skin apart" until it creates a void or writhe in agony, searching for someone who does not exist. The refrain repeats, questioning whether these struggles are due to "hidden gods" or something more internal that they must face. The song ends by reiterating that the decision, the struggle, is fatal.
Overall, the song is exploring the human condition, questioning why we as individuals are restrained and forced to contain the feelings that make us human. The lyrics suggest that these feelings and struggles are not simple to understand and may ultimately lead to mortal decisions.
Line by Line Meaning
¿Por qué no puedo andar a gatas
Como lo hacen los locos?
Why can't I crawl on all fours
Like the crazy ones do?
¿Por qué no puedo aullarlo todo
Como lo hacen los lobos?
Why can't I howl everything out
Like the wolves do?
¿Por qué no puedo resignarme
Y aguantarme hasta la risa?
Why can't I resign myself
And hold on until laughter?
¿Por qué uno quiere lanzarse desde lo alto
Y al bajar buscar olvido?
Why does one want to jump from a high place
Only to seek forgetfulness upon landing?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
Could it be hidden gods or is it you?
It will be a fateful decision
¿Por qué no puedo desgarrarme la piel
Hasta lograr un vacío?
Why can't I tear my skin apart
Until achieving emptiness?
¿Por qué uno se retuerce entre rincones
Mirando al cielo en busca de alguien?
Why does one writhe in corners
Looking up to the sky in search of someone?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
Fatal
Could it be hidden gods or is it you?
It will be a fatal decision
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
Could it be hidden gods or is it you?
It will be a fateful decision
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Alfonso Hernandez Estrada
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@xanyaguirre1488
LETRA-CAIFANES
¿Por qué no puedo andar a gatas?
Como lo hacen los locos
¿Por qué no puedo aullarlo todo?
Como lo hacen los lobos
¿Por qué no puedo resignarme
Y aguantarme hasta la risa?
¿Por qué uno quiere lanzarse desde lo alto
Y al bajar buscar olvido?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Por qué no puedo desgarrarme la piel
Hasta lograr un vacío?
¿Por qué uno se retuerce entre rincones
Mirando al cielo en busca de alguien?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal (Fatal)
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal, oh, oh, oh
@yair2165
¿Por qué no puedo andar a gatas
Como lo hacen los locos?
¿Por qué no puedo aullarlo todo
Como lo hacen los lobos?
¿Por qué no puedo resignarme
Why aguantarme hasta la risa?
¿Por qué uno quiere lanzarse desde lo alto
Why al bajar buscar olvido?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿Por qué no puedo desgarrarme la piel
Hasta lograr un vacío?
¿Por qué uno se retuerce entre rincones
Mirando al cielo en busca de alguien?
¿Serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
¿serán los dioses ocultos o serás tú?
Será una decisión mortal
Fatal
@horacioramirez3129
México es el único país de América que a resistido más invasores nunca pudieron ni podrán someterlo por mucho tiempo es un gigante dormido hijos del Sol y la Luna gerreros hijos de los dioses gerreros jaguares y águilas nunca perderemos nuestra identidad a pesar de tanta influencia extranjeras que nos quieren imponer México siempre fiel a sus tradiciones y culturas viva México 🇲🇽 hermanos
@NnTotis
Hasta que encuentro un patriota mexicano que hable de nuestros antepasados que eran unos guerreros invencibles 🇲🇽
@jorgegutierrez6612
Que Chingon como lo pones en tan palabras tan educates. Yo tambien me reflexology tanto en neestra cultura mixta pero la Sangre nos llama. Como el dios del sol del Cielo la Luna. I del mail. Soy un Mexicano que ah pasado por much. Ni se diga mis Padres. Pero el
Es una bendicion de los dioses ocultos. Mexico el pais mas Hermosa de la tiera
@lkcique_on_the_beat796
De hecho fue el pueblo mapuche el que mas resistió
Saludos desde Colombia
Que viva america unida
@taziux
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@moreTTinez
Apoco no fueron los mejores
@alternativemsm5336
@Armtz Matnez es considerado uno de los mejores discos mexicanos
@Narcosatanico333
Claro! Era una reunión de tipos que estaban muuuy cabrones por aquellos días.