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)
Sera Por Eso
Caifanes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Será porque no me dejaba rasurar
Ya no me hablan ni siquiera las hormigas
Será porque no saben que ando por aquí
Desde aquel día no me he dejado tocar
Solo mis uñas me pueden acariciar
No me he dejado de pintar en las paredes
Por eso me pongo un saco
Tomo la navaja y salgo a clavar
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Ya no me duele ni siquiera la razón
Dicen que cuando duermo estoy mucho mejor
Ya ni mis manos me creen lo que les platico
Y eso hace que yo me sienta muy mal
Por eso me pongo un saco
Tomo la navaja y salgo a clavar
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no debo de temblar
Será por eso que no tengo que
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no debo de temblar
Será por eso que no tengo que
Sera Por Eso (Maybe That's Why) by Caifanes is a haunting and introspective song that explores the depths of mental illness and the effects of institutionalization on individuals. The song's lyrics describe a protagonist who has been brought to an institution, presumably for mental health reasons, and is now experiencing a sense of detachment from the outside world. The singer is no longer able to communicate with insects, is kept in isolation, and experiences a disconnect from reality. The lyrics suggest that this detachment is the reason why the singer is not allowed to leave the institution, and why they are subjected to electroshock therapy.
The chorus of the song is where the title "Será Por Eso" comes from, which means "Maybe That's Why." The singer wonders if all of their difficulties are due to their erratic behavior and the resulting isolation from others. They ponder whether their detachment has caused them to lose touch with reality, and whether they are being punished for it.
Overall, Sera Por Eso is a poignant and powerful song that delves deep into the human psyche, and it is a testament to the ability of music to provide a voice for those who may otherwise go unheard.
Line by Line Meaning
Desde aquel día me trajeron para acá
Since that day they brought me here
Será porque no me dejaba rasurar
Maybe because I wouldn't let them shave me
Ya no me hablan ni siquiera las hormigas
The ants don't even speak to me anymore
Será porque no saben que ando por aquí
Maybe they don't know I'm around here
Desde aquel día no me dejaron tocar
Since that day they wouldn't let me touch anything
Solo mis uñas me pueden acariciar
Only my nails can touch me
No me he dejado de pintar en las paredes
I haven't stopped painting on the walls
Será porque las sombras me hacen olvidar
Maybe because the shadows make me forget
Por eso me pongo un saco
That's why I put on a coat
Tomo la navaja y salgo a clavar
I take the razor and go out to stab
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Maybe that's why they don't let me go out
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Maybe that's why they give me electro shocks
Ya no me duele ni siquiera la razón
I don't even feel the pain of reason
Dicen que cuando duermo estoy mucho mejor
They say I'm much better when I sleep
Ya ni mis manos me creen que lo que les platico
Even my hands don't believe what I tell them anymore
y eso hace que yo me sienta muy mal
And that makes me feel very bad
Será por eso que no tengo que temblar
Maybe that's why I don't have to tremble
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Saul Hernandez
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@user-wp9bf8kk3p
Desde aquel día me trajeron para acá
Será porque no me dejaba rasurar
Ya no me hablan ni siquiera las hormigas
Será porque no saben que ando por aquí
Desde aquel día no me he dejado tocar
Solo mis uñas me pueden acariciar
No me he dejado de pintar en las paredes
Será porque las sombras me hacen olvidar
Por eso me pongo un saco
Tomo la navaja y salgo a clavar
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Ya no me duele ni siquiera la razón
Dicen que cuando duermo estoy mucho mejor
Ya ni mis manos me creen lo que les platico
Y eso hace que yo me sienta muy mal
Por eso me pongo un saco
Tomo la navaja y salgo a clavar
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no debo de temblar
Será por eso que no tengo que
Será por eso que no me dejan salir
Será por eso que me dan electro shocks
Será por eso que no debo de temblar
Será por eso que no tengo que
@brenda4842
Que fregón debió haber sido vivir en la mejor época del Rock ❤❤❤
@user-vn4jh1oj1z
Hola amiga si te puedo compartir q los lp fue lo mejor 😂
@aronchas
Dos tres
@jorgebarron3886
Fue lo mejor
@alejandroneri3586
Con la que abrieron en el Zócalo el 10 de noviembre de 2017, sublime. 🇲🇽❤
@SamuelDiaz-br7vp
pero no abrieron con esa rola solo pusieron el video xd
@vikoro9839
¿Será por eso que me gusta caifanes?
@pildorapunkyrok
Gran rola 🖤🤘🏻”Ya no me duele ni si quiera la razón...Dicen que cuando duermo estoy mucho mejor” 🎧
@karlaelisgamboadiaz4347
Sólo aquel que ha vivido la locura del manicomio de su propia mente, puede entender ésta canción. Los pensamientos y sentimientos divergentes.
@davidleon5422
Me recuerda a mis dias de tristezas y soledades. Epoca que nunca fui comprendido ni me entendieron, pinche adolecencia. Saludos.