Mecano

Mecano was a Spanish pop band whose debut coincided with La Movida Madrile?a (Madrilenian Groove), a sociocultural movement that occurred in Spain during the 1980s. Although Spanish music critics do not consider the band one of the most representative ensembles of the aforementioned cultural wave, Mecano found commercial success in the '80s and the early '90s, both in its native country and Latin America, France, and Italy with 25 million worldwide sales. Most of the lyrics were written by one of the Cano brothers from a male perspective, and were mainly sung by Ana Torroja in a melodic, childlike voice while preserving that male perspective; this gave the group its distinctive, playful and sexually ambiguous style.

History

The musical group was started as a synth-pop ensemble (m?sica tecno in Spanish) by brothers Nacho and Jos? Mar?a Cano, along with singer Ana Torroja, on Madrid in 1981. In a period of cultural experimentation in the newly democratic Spain, Mecano achieved its initial popularity with their debut single, Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar ("I Can't Get Up Today"), a song about youth boredom and hangovers. The initial album, named after the band, became a collection of classics that would later represent La Movida Madrile?a.

At the same time, Nacho Cano branched out into producing other bands, and both brothers wrote songs for other pop up-stars. Although those secondary acts wouldn't achieve the level of success Mecano gained, they turned out to be new testing grounds for Mecano.

Having achieved another huge hit in 1986 with Me Cuesta Tanto Olvidarte ("It's So Hard to Forget You"), the band reformed its musical approach with the album Entre el cielo y el suelo ("Between sky and earth"). The new style emphasized more pop over techno. It also facilitated the export of the music to Latin America. This new versatility was evidenced by the cover of Hijo de la Luna ("Son of the Moon") by Opera artist Montserrat Caball?. This song was also submitted by the band as a potential Eurovision Song Contest entry in 1986, however TVE selected the group Cadillac.

Their follow-up album, Descanso Dominical ("Sunday rest"), produced two of their most popular singles: La Fuerza del Destino (The force of destiny) and Mujer Contra Mujer ("Woman against woman"). The latter deals with a lesbian relationship, seen through the eyes of a friend, who only later realizes what is going on. It was recorded in French ("Une Femme avec une femme"), English and Italian, giving Mecano their first truly global hit.

Aidalai (nonsense word meaning, "Woe, Dalai (Lama)"), their following album, was published in 1991 and carried the same success of the previous two works. In 1993 the band announced a "temporary split".

The songs La Fuerza del Destino and El 7 de Septiembre ("September 7") were dedicated to Coloma Fern?ndez Armero, who was Nacho Cano's girlfriend for several years. Actress Pen?lope Cruz debuted in the video clip for La Fuerza del Destino. She later had a relationship with Nacho Cano for several years.

In 1998 the band released the album "Ana, Jose, Nacho" that mixed new songs with greatest hits. The band separated later that year and all three members went on to have solo careers, though only Ana found success as a singer. In 2005 Nacho Cano wrote a musical based on 32 songs of the group, named after their first single: Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar.

In 2005, the members of Mecano released a double-CD/DVD package commemorating the 25th anniversary of the creation of the pop-group. The new CD/DVD, Mecanografia (Mecano-graphy), includes a compilation of all their singles, never-before released songs, and a DVD with videos and early concert appearances.

The Cano brothers, are among innovative musicians in the use of technology, Nacho was one of the first Ibero-American musicians to own a Fairlight keyboard. (The screen can be seen in the back cover of their only live album).

The Cano brothers have said in an interview for a Mexican magazine that they became known in this country via a television network rater than the "dying empire" of CBS records. This TV company made a special around the "Here comes the Sun" record, only seen in Mexico.

Jose Maria also commented, he often locked himself in a room with a dictionary and books to write his songs, while Nacho commented he starts with a rhythm machine, the melody and the lyrics in the last place.