Cadenas | Interview | “Pioneers of heavy rock in Argentina”

Cadenas was one of the first heavy rock bands in Argentina back in 1969, along with El Reloj.

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Cadenas was formed in Rosario and played live with bands such as Pappo’s Blues, Pescado Rabioso and others. They were also part of the legendary B.A. Rock Festival’s lineup in 1972. ‘Niño Solitario’ and ‘Rock Para Janis’ are the only recordings left. Yunque Records pleasantly surprised with the reissue of these two heavy tracks. What we hear are two devastating songs showing the power of this Argentinian band. The recordings were done in the famous ION studios in Buenos Aires back in 1973, in just one take with later added voices. Marcelo Requena was their guitarist.

How did you first get interested in music and what were some of the records you were listening to?

Marcelo Requena: At the age of 12 I started studying classical guitar. I was a fan of The Shadows and bought a few sheet books for practicing their songs. I really liked the unique sound of Hank Marvin and his Stratocaster. At that time I lived in Paris, and I could attend a gig of a new band called The Beatles. At the same event I saw The Yardbirds with Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page.

Together with El Reloj you might have been one of the very first hard rock groups coming from Argentina. What influenced your sound?

I listened to Zappa, Stones, The Who, Deep Purple and many more, but when I listened to Led Zeppelin in 1969, I thought WOW, this is great! Such power and simplicity! Outstanding guitar with Jimmy Page and the amazing voice of Robert Plant. ‘Babe I’m Gonna Leave You’ is a true masterpiece. I also admire Jimi Hendrix, who reinvented the guitar playing. Not to mention Cream, such a powerful trio with Eric Clapton on the guitar.

What’s the story with Alberto Arbizu, who played bass in Pappo’s Blues?

Actually that was before Jose Luis Colzani and I were part of the band. Colzani and I knew each other from the music conservatory and we used to meet to jam together. One day we were invited by a producer to meet with Alberto Arbizu and Juan Carlos Tubaro. They had created Cadenas, but personal misunderstanding with previous guitar and bass players ended with both of them leaving the band. That was when Colzani and I joined the band.

The scene in Buenos Aires must have been active. What were some other bands you played with?

When I joined the band, we played a lot of shows with El Reloj, but I remember other concerts with bands such as Orion’s Beethoven and Materia Gris. Those gigs were mostly self organized.

Tell us about B.A. Rock Festival.

B.A. Rock Festival was an outdoor festival, starting in 1970, that tried to resemble Woodstock but without those great artists. Cadenas was part of the lineup in 1972 but that was prior to the joining of Colzani and I in the band. They played with great Argentinian bands like Color Humano, Pappo’s Blues, La Pesada, Piel de Pueblo…

How did the lineup finalize to record the 1973 single for Microfon label?

Juan Carlos was a friend of Osvaldo Vitale, so when the previous guitarist and drummer stopped playing with the band due to a misunderstanding, Osvaldo asked Colzani to join the band. They also were looking for another guitarist and I was a friend of Colzani, so I finally joined the band too. Osvaldo Vitale also had some links on the Microfon label, so he got us an interview with them and they decided to give us the opportunity to record a single. Soon after, due to internal differences in Microfon and its managers, our contract ended without having had any promotion and with just a few single units pressed.

What’s the story behind ‘Niño Solitario’ and’ Rock para Janis’?

Both songs were composed by Arbizu and Juan Carlos shortly before I met them. When Colzani and I joined, we gave the songs our own touch with arrangements and solos.

You record it in just one take?!

Yes, that was recorded at ION studios in Buenos Aires. The owner of the studio was the same person who owns the Microfon label. It was recorded in just one take and we added Arbizu’s voice in a second take. It was recorded in an 8-track reel-to-reel.

This is the only recording of the band that was officially out. Did you plan to record an album as well?

We had enough songs for an album, but our link with Microfon ended and no other label was interested in Cadenas at that time.

Is there any unreleased material left?

No, there is nothing more recorded than those two songs.

Yunque Records did an amazing job with the reissue of the single.

It’s wonderful to have a vinyl reissue made by Yunque Records after 50 years. We are eternally grateful to Eduardo for his interest in the band and his commercial effort. Alberto and Juan Carlos unfortunately have passed away, but I am pretty sure they would be so happy with it.

Looking back, what was the highlight of your time in the band? Where and when was your most memorable gig?

I remember especially the gigs at Teatro Olimpia in Buenos Aires because of the heat of the people. Some other memorable performances were at Teatro Astral, where a lot of rock bands played, and also at Teatro El Circuito de Rosario, in Santa Fe.

Thank you for taking your time. Last word is yours.

Thank you and hope you enjoy it!

Klemen Breznikar

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Headline photo: Cadenas at Teatro Olimpia

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