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Name: Baltazar Negrete-Hernandez Age:27 Instrument: Bass Lead Singer and Leader of Grupo Tormento Kids: Yes, 1 girl How did your music career begin? I became interested at the age of 10 years, I was fascinated by the guitar, I was in Mexico when I got the idea with my cousins to form a group. (They are no longer with me) That’s when we became Halcon Dorado in Mexico, I was 15yrs old, we played for 6yrs and moved to Minnesota. For about a year and a half I was on my own, then we got back together with the band, Halcon Dorado. A few of the guys left the group and there were more people interested in coming into the band and we changed the name to ‘Grupo Tormento’ which means ‘Storm’ in English. Grupo Tormento is about a year old, we play at a lot of social events, weddings, sweet sixteen’s, baptisms, etc… What are your expectations for the future of ‘Grupo Tormento’? Well, what I would like is that we get more events to play at, so that we can show more people our talent. I am sure they would like it. We’re hoping that in the summer time we can get to play every weekend, instead of every other. Favorite food? Mexican What do you like to do on your free time? I like to practice. You know practice makes perfect. Do you play your own songs? Yes, but I usually play what the public asks for, like more of the popular songs, What’s your favorite color? Red How many events would you say you’ve played at? Rough estimate? Hard to say. In Mexico we would play about 2-4 times a week, every week for 6 years and here about 2-3 times a month…so I wouldn’t really know. But, its been fun!Name: Ignacio Aguirre A.K.A. Nachos Age:28 Instrument: Drums Sign: Libra Kids:2, Kimberly and Tony Married: yes, to Sandra How long on have you been in the US? 5yrs in MN and 1 ½ in Florida Favorite Food: Chicken Enchiladas How did you get in the group? Well, they were already playing and I had no knowledge of instruments, but I was very determined to get into the group. I began playing the percussions, guiro, guacharaca, and as of now I play the drums and make my best effort to succeed at that. I have been with the group for about 2 ½ years. I would start by just watching the band play. They didn’t want to give me a chance to play any instruments. I think they were somewhat bothered by me going over to watch them practice everyday. (laughs) Finally, Baltazar gave me a chance to play. What are your hopes for the band? My dream is to get the group the attention it deserves, primarily God and then to future fans. What do you do on your free time? Practice the drums or watch comedies like ‘El Chavo del 8’ I came to the U.S. when I was 19 years old, I am a fan of music, I love cumbias, It was created in Columbia with African rythyms. How it got to mexico is beyond me…Where I am from Puebla, there is a reborn cumbia that is better known as sonidera, which is the Columbian rythym with new sound effects. Everyone knows that as Cumbia sonidera.In Mexico all types of music is played. The most popular music right now is durangense. We do play a couple Durangense. We try to please the public. We are in the process of beginning Salsa music. We are a little far from that because it does have a lot of percussion involved. Grupo Tormento is made up of humble people we want to win the publics hearts. We would like to give them our best and listen to their applause of approval. I love soccer. I don’t smoke or drink. Thanks for reading, God Bless, Sincerely Nachos!Name: Rene Aguirre Castillo Age:22years Instrument: Guiro and Guacharaca I am from Cuaquila,Huachinango,Puebla When did you become interested in music? In 2004, because I liked the music that Halcon Dorado played, I would go and watch them practice, and I asked the leader of the group, Baltazar if when he would need a new member to consider me and he did. I began playing the Guiro and then percussions. I joined the group in 2005 and we played at social events and Ultra Lounge. I love the music we play and I love to dance. I was 16 yrs old when I decided to come to Minnesota and I got the opportunity to play with a band and I took it. I enjoy playing with Grupo Tormento. How would you describe the bond with the band members? All of the band members have a strong bond with each other, like brothers and friends, most of all we are like family. Would you change anything in the band? EX: genre, attire, etc.. No, of course not. I love it the way it is. What your favorite color? Red and White What’s your favorite food? Salad Married, kids? No, no kids, just a girlfriend If you ever had a chance to go on tour or perform with another Latin band who would it be with? I would like to play with Intocable, Bronco, and Mandingo! I enjoy there music! If you had the chance to play at any place in MN where would it be? I would like to play at the large clubs in Minneapolis and St.Paul I am confident people would love what we have!Name: Eliseo Lazcano Age:20 Instrument: Keyboard Where are you from: Necaxa,Puebla,Mexico When did you first become interested in music? Well I was about 12yrs old. I was more interested in the acoustic guitar. But I never got a hold of the notes on the guitar, so I became interested in the keyboards. I have been playing keyboards for about 2years. When did you join the band ‘Grupo Tormento’? I joined about a year and a half ago. When the band was still know as ‘Halcon Dorado’ we used to play at social events and we played a lot at the former club ‘Ultra Lounge’ the place would fill up with patrons. Its been exciting. What are you hoping for the future of the band? Everything, I wish the best for our group, we are very connected, almost like family. How did the idea of the name ‘Grupo Tormento’come about? Well a guy that knew the band came up to Baltazar and said, ‘Why don’t you change the name of the band, since its made up of new band members? Give it something fresh! Like ‘Tormento!’ Baltazar and the rest of the band agreed and decided to change the name. What’s your favorite color? Blue What’s your favorite animal? Dogs What’s your favorite food? Carne Asada Do you have kids? No Married? No, I am completely available, (laughs) How long have you been in MN? 2 years! Favorite Band? Kumbia Kings Favorite Singer: Joanna Hernandez Can you play any other instrument other than the keyboard? Yeah! I can play drums! Do you speak English and Spanish? YesName: Oliver Morales Age:19 Instrument: Percussions How did you become interested in music? Well I became interested when I was 5years old. My grandfather would buy me tiny wooden guitars to play with. We would go and watch concerts and I would practice playing songs from bands like Bronco. I would play with my friends portraying the lead singer and guitarist. I began actually playing real instruments and real music at the age of 14. My music teacher Juan would tutor me in guitar. He tutored me for 6 months on the guitar, I never had a guitar. I had a Nintendo and my friend had keyboards and I traded my Nintendo for the keyboards. Juan then tutored me on the keyboards for six months. I came to Minnesota when I was 16 years old. Two weeks after I got here, I met a band called Sensation 2000. I began playing the guitar with them, then I met Balthazar a bit later and I liked the way he sang and the way the band played. I would watch them practice and I was eager to learn more about music, Baltazar tutored me on percussions. I am a quick learner and I now know how to play the songs I loved to hear. What do you hope for the group? I hope for the best and I want nothing to stop us from becoming successful and to enjoy what there is to experience with the people who love the music and sonideras. Favorite Color? Blue Married or Kids? Engaged What’s your favorite food? Sopes! Mexican food
el chino
