PASTILLA

Biography:Pastilla is the musical byproduct of a frenzied cross-cultural upbringing and existential exploration of brothers, Victor and Adrian Monroy. After years of musical discovery in their hometown of Cuidad Juarez, Mexico, a border city of both political and cultural conflict, the Monroy brothers came to replant their roots in Pomona, California where the tumultuous journey of Pastilla would begin.In the mid 1990s, Los Angeles became ground zero for an explosion of latin alternative (Rock en Espanol) sounds. A handful of musicians, like the Monroy brothers, began fusing their American rock influences with their own cultural experiences. The Monroy brothers, along with friends Eribeto Gonzalez and Eric Rubalcava, joined the emerging scene and took on the band name Pastilla, meaning pill a nod to the mental, physical and spiritual euphoria of being able to cure almost any ailment with a pill. Rightly so, while many confined themselves to the stifling and generic formula of rock and roll, Pasilla broke through with a still unfamiliar sound of britrock/pop influences which attracted a wide array of fans who were searching for more to please their musical palate than generic rock. It was a sound that has today established Pastilla as one of the most emblematic pioneer bands of Latin Alternative music in the United States.In 1996, Pastilla recorded their first self-titled debut album on the now defunct label Aztlan Records. The 14 track platter was produced by Ernesto Ramirez, a fellow musical pioneer with the Los Angeles based band Maria Fatal. Earning wide ranged respect by fans and musicians alike, Pastilla was invited to participate in various compilation albums such as "Rock Aztaln En Vivo En L.A.", "Despues de Hoy" (WEA Latina), "Un Tributo," a tribute album to Latin Americas legendary singer songwriter Jose Jose a version of the track "Lagrimas.In 1998, Pastilla linked with BMG/Ariola Mexico where they record their breakthrough album "Vox Electra" which led them to gain international notoriety through successful tours performing throughout the U.S., Mexico, Puerto Rico and Spain. In 1999, Pastilla was again invited to participate in another project and was featured on the soundtrack of the film "A Price of Glory" with the English language hit "Be A Star." While no longer with BMG, to this day, Pastilla remains the only wholly American, Los Angeles-based Spanish rock band signed to a major label.In 2003, Pastilla independently recorded and produced their third album Hey! (distributed by Escuchalo Records). Keeping to their cross-cultural upbringing, experiences and their unique blend of power pop melodies and rich bilingual lyrical content, Hey! was a reflection the personal and musical journey of the Monroy brothers, creating a penetrating impression of the genuine heart and soul of this independent power pop band.Over a decade later, in 2005, Pastilla chronicled their frenzied and unyielding musical career with a live album recorded before a full house in one of the most symbolic venues in Mexico City, the legendary Rockotitlan.With the continued talents of Victor Monroy (vocal,bass), Adrian Monroy (vocal, guitar), Pastilla continues to slash through growing and falling rock trends, keeping to the deeply rooted influences of their upbringing and metaphysical inspiration of life, love, solitude and euphoria, prescribed, bottled and delivered loud and hard.Notable live performances1998 Tour Bi-Transistor: Mexico & USA1999 Vox Electra tour: Puerto Rico, Mexico, USA. Sold Out House of Blues Hollywood. 2000 Rock en ñ Tour, Spain; Madrid, Valladolid, Barcelona. Festival Acapulco Milenio.2001 Viva Brooklyn Fesitval, NY2003 & 2004 Rock Chavitos Benefit Concert, Palacio de Los Deportes in Mexico City.2005 Live Album recorded at Rockotitlan, Mexico City. Sold out Hard Rock Live Mexico City2006 Festival Rock & Gozadera at Salon 21 MyGen Profile Generator