Mano Negra (band)

Did You Know?

• The band's name came from a comic—the Condor series by Dominique Rousseau—and referred to a group of guerrilla fighters in South America; the black-hand symbol appealed to them.
• In 1989, the band started recording their second LP, Puta's Fever, the title being an ironic stab at the contempt from other groups for signing with Virgin Records.
• In 1990, they opened for Iggy Pop during a U.S. tour, but the experience was not good, and they decided not to pursue the Anglo market.

Origins

In mid-1980s France, the alternative rock scene included bands like Bérurier Noir, Noir Désir, and Los Carayos. Manu Chao, wanting to record songs that did not fit his previous groups, formed a band with his brother Antoine (trumpet) and cousin Santi Casariego (drums). They called themselves Dirty District and released the 1987 EP Takin' it up on Boucherie Productions, with bassist Jo Dahan from Les Wampas. The group dissolved temporarily, and members joined other projects: Manu in Les Casse Pieds, Antoine with The Kingsnakes, and Santi with Los Carayos.

In 1988 they recorded their first LP, Patchanka, featuring songs written by Manu Chao and musicians from Dirty District, Les Casse Pieds, Hot Pants, and Los Carayos. The album reflected a DIY ethos, with unedited renditions of tracks like "Mala Vida," "Indios de Barcelona," and "Ronde de Nuit." Manu continued collaborating with other groups while Patchanka gained positive reviews. Daniel Jamet (lead guitar), Jo Dahan (bass), and Philippe Teboul (drums) from Les Casse Pieds joined the project, later adding keyboardist Tomas Darnal.

The band toured France, attracted media attention, and signed with Virgin Records France, drawing criticism from the French alternative scene but enabling their travels.

Worldwide tours

In 1991, during a Japanese tour, Mano Negra recorded their only live album, In the Hell of Patchinko, from two concerts in Kawasaki. That year they launched the Cargo 92 project, sailing from Nantes on the cargo ship Melquiades with the theater company Royal de Luxe, subsidized by the French government. The five-month tour visited Colombia, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Cuba, Ecuador, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina, with free public performances.

The grueling conditions weakened the group; after four months without a break, their rebellious spirit faltered. In July 1992, in Buenos Aires, they gave their last concert with all original members, following an incident where the keyboard player broke a monitor on the TV program La TV ataca. That year they released the compilation Amerika Perdida. After returning from South America, tensions grew, and trumpeter Antoine left.

Manu worked on Casa Babylon, an album unlike their previous work. During recording, Jo Dahan and Daniel Jamet also left, and new members joined, including Argentine vocalist Fidel Nadal from Todos Tus Muertos and bassist Gambeat from Manu's new band French Lovers. The resulting album was their only concept album, blending Latin rhythms with rock and hardcore. The group did not perform Casa Babylon tracks live, though members gave performances in Spain under names like Larchuma FC or Radio Bemba, and collaborated with the Basque band Negu Gorriak.

End

In late 1993, several members traveled by train through Colombia, joined by members of Royal de Lux and French Lovers. After two concerts in Santa Marta and Aracataca, all members except Manu and Thomas returned to Paris, marking the end of an era described in Ramon Chao's book The train of Ice and Fire: Mano Negra in Colombia. In 1994, details for Casa Babylon were finalized, but it was not released in the United States or Britain. The video for "Señor Matanza" boosted the band's popularity in Latin America, though the band had already dissolved, unknown to many fans.

Among former members, two possibilities were considered: continuing the band with flexibility for new participants and original members to return, or ceasing under the Mano Negra name. The second option was chosen. In 1995, Manu Chao and others wanted to perform in Madrid but, restricted from using the former name, did so as Radio Bemba, which later dissolved. In 1998, the compilation Best of Mano Negra was released with 22 hits and two unreleased tracks, though it drew criticism for coinciding with the success of Manu Chao's solo album Clandestino.

In 2005, a double DVD with six hours of material was planned; Manu Chao was not involved, but six other members gave interviews and performed three numbers on France Inter's Le Fou du Roi, including "Manu Reviens" calling for his return. In December 2005, these members participated in a festival as Mano Negra Sound System, playing as DJs with brass and keyboards.

Manu Chao solo

After the band split, Manu Chao pursued a solo career focused on political and social issues such as immigration, ghettos, and injustice, releasing albums in Spanish or French. His album Clandestino aimed to feature groups from diverse backgrounds, including Mexico's Tijuana No!, Brazil's Skank, and Argentina's Todos Tus Muertos, replicating street music and bar scenes. It was a major success in Latin America and eventually earned the Best World Music Album award at the 1999 Victoires de la Musique, selling over 5 million copies worldwide.

The follow-up, Próxima Estación: Esperanza (2001), featured similar Latin, Caribbean, and ska sounds. Chao is well known in Europe and Latin America but less so in English-speaking countries; U.S. tours with Mano Negra were not as successful, and he focuses on regions where his musical style has roots. He played U.S. dates in 2006, including Lollapalooza in Chicago, and headlined the 2008 Austin City Limits Music Festival and Outside Lands in San Francisco. In 2011, he took his La Ventura tour to several U.S. cities.