All band members all are of Latin descent (Diaz, Barcala, and LeMont are all Cuban-American) and were born outside of the United States. Their music is the mixture of Latin sounds they heard in their parents' homes with the American Rock n' Roll.
In the early 90's, the band released two albums on Epic Records. Their debut album, I Am I, produced the radio hit Summer. MTV were early believers in the band and proved critical to their early success; early on, the song was put into Active rotation. The band then filmed a promotional clip for MTV with director Paula Grief and were invited to appear on one of the early episodes of their groundbreaking show Unplugged with The Alarm. Featured guest performers on the album included Bruce Brody of Lone Justice, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and Meredith Brooks.
After touring extensively throughout Europe and the United States, Nuclear Valdez went back into the studio to work on their second album, Dream Another Dream with producer Steve Brown (The Cult, George Michael, Manic Street Preachers). The single Dance Where The Bullets Fly aired on a season finale of the popular television show Melrose Place and was the band's foray to commercial Top 40 radio. This album was far more complicated in structure, drawing on the band's Latin roots; the shift in style failed to click with U.S. fans and the group went on an extended hiatus.
After pursuing other musical endeavors individually, the band decided to reform in the beginning of 2000. Joined by new lead guitar player Rafael Tarrago, who previously played with various Miami artists, the band recorded 12 new songs for the 2002 album In a Minute All Could Change and has been active ever since.
More info can be found on their official website: www.nuclearvaldez.com
Summer
Nuclear Valdez Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
When a single handed man
Raped the land of simple men
In the year 1959
Red was more than just a stain
It became hunger pains
Tears fell from the sky
And it rained and it rained and it rained all summer
It rained and it rained and it rained all night
Hope soon becomes a poison
Working in a factory
Sewing dreams to memories
Far away, in a dying place
A wife will miss her husband's face
Curse her race for their disgrace
As they flew away up high
Tears fell from the sky
And it rained and it rained and it rained all summer
It rained and it rained and it rained all night
The song "Summer" by Nuclear Valdez is a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of war, colonialism, and imperialism. The song begins by describing how war fell upon an island and how a single-handed man was able to rape the land of simple men, highlighting the destructive effects of war on innocent people. The lyrics then move on to describe how in the year 1959 "red was more than just a stain," referring to the political upheaval and violence that was happening around the world during that time. The lyrics go on to describe how this violence and bloodshed became like hunger pains, highlighting how war and violence become all-consuming and destructive in their own right.
The chorus of the song, "As they flew away up high, tears fell from the sky, and it rained and it rained and it rained all summer, it rained and it rained and it rained all night," serves as a powerful metaphor for the unrelenting and uncontrollable destruction that comes with war and violence. The song's final verse describes how hope soon becomes a poison, highlighting the corrupting effects of violence and destruction on even the most well-intentioned people. The lyrics then describe a wife who will miss her husband's face in a dying place, cursing her race for their disgrace, emphasizing the human toll of violence and war.
Overall, "Summer" is a powerful and insightful commentary on the destructive effects of war and violence, emphasizing the importance of peace and understanding in a world that often seems to be torn apart by conflict and strife.
Line by Line Meaning
War fell upon an island
A conflict occurred on an island
When a single handed man
Perpetrated by a single man
Raped the land of simple men
The land was plundered and destroyed by the perpetrator
In the year 1959
In 1959
Red was more than just a stain
The color red represented something more than a stain
It became hunger pains
It caused agony and desperation
As they flew away up high
As they ascended high in the air
Tears fell from the sky
Raindrops fell from the sky
And it rained and it rained and it rained all summer
It rained continuously during the summer season
It rained and it rained and it rained all night
It rained continuously throughout the night
Hope soon becomes a poison
Hope can become harmful
Working in a factory
Employed in a factory
Sewing dreams to memories
Creating memories from dreams
Far away, in a dying place
In a distant, declining location
A wife will miss her husband's face
A woman misses her husband
Curse her race for their disgrace
Blaming her ethnicity for the wrongdoing
Contributed by Gavin R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Frank Lafferty
This is a PAINFULLY overlooked band... always wished more success for them, great writing, great songs and great energy!
loboblanco
I couldn't agree more. Spectacular debut. Great songwriters.
Gary Gibson
davebressi
I remember just picking up this album on a whim back in the summer of 89, what a masterpiece. One of the best complete albums from start to finish ever. Some years later I grabbed a copy on cd to keep sealed in my collection of works I dont ever want to lose.
lynott lizzy
Super vrai ton commentaire alors svp mets en ligne sur you tube l'album complet que j'avais mais malheureusement perdu suite a des demenagements merci d'avance
Daddytang67
What a fucking GREAT BAND! this album still BRINGS CHILLS.....This album helped me through a horrific time in my life. THANK YOU NUCLEAR VALDEZ!
bass master101 -awesomeness
It's all about the memories that go hand in hand with this incredibly beautiful music.
Jorge hernandez
What High School
Clem Clemson
this whole album is phenomenal. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nick Polak
Love the Mavericks and Forget The Name and Coral Gables and The Goods, but this is the GREATEST band Miami ever produced!!