Division Minuscula is a Mexican rock band from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, which is becoming increasingly popular in Mexico and gradually making an impact on the U.S. Latin alternative scene.
The four members of División Minúscula, Javier Blake (singer-guitarist), Ricci Pérez (guitarist), Kiko Blake (drummer) and Alejandro Luque (bassist), formed the band in late 90s, in the town of Matamoros, Tamaulipas. The band disbanded briefly when its members went off to college in Monterrey, Nuevo León. Soon thereafter, the four-piece reunited to join that city’s burgeoning rock scene, eventually hooking up with Toy Hernandez, the man behind Control Machete, who signed them to his Sones del Mexside label.
The group’s 2001 debut, Extrañando Casa (Homesick), was well received, earning them the distinction of being "the first" Mexican band to play punk’s latter day, slap happy incarnation with Spanish language lyrics. Remarkably, a five-year hiatus ensued, as the members of División Minúscula went back to Santoy Rules to finish their degrees and, in cases, to help with family businesses. This year, the band reunited and released a new record to the instant delight of at least 50,000 fans – the number of non-pirated copies sold to date in a market paralyzed by piracy and file-sharing.
The celebrated new recording, Defecto Perfecto (Perfect Defect) is blessed with crystal clear production. Loud, punchy guitars stay crisp and sharp on well-rounded compositions like "Soundtrack" and "Sismo" which is currently making the rounds on Mexican modern rock-oriented radio stations. Notably, it’s the well conveyed sincerity of the acoustic "Cada Martes" (Every Tuesday) and the slower "Me Tomé una Pastilla" (I Took a Pill).
The group were nominated in the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America in two categories. In Promising Artist (Artista Promesa) alongside Axel Fernando, Calle 13, the Colombian singer and Grammy award winning, Fonseca and Jesse & Joy, Best Alternative Act (Mejor Artista Alternativo) with Calle 13, Miranda!, Zoé, El Otro Yo and Panda. They didn't win in both cathegories. Calle 13 won in Promising Artist and Panda in Best Alternative Act.
División Minúscula recently played an industry-friendly gig in Los Angeles and will return to the U.S. for a round of dates sometime in 2007.
Their second album, Defecto Perfecto, was certified Gold by AMPROFON in May 31, 2007.
Recently Ricci Pérez left the band, and Efrén Barón took his place as lead guitar. In late 2009 they held private fan meting in Javier Blake and Kiko Blake, they are both related home town, Matamoros, Tamaulipas. There was a small dispute which caused tension within the band and talk about breaking up is in the air. |
