by Evan C. Gutierrez
Spanish punk band Pignoise -- comprised of Alvaro (vocals and guitar), Polo (drums), and Pablo (bass) -- may never have existed were it not for an unfortunate soccer injury. Frontman Alvaro was a semi-professional soccer player with Getafe CF and Real Madrid before he was laid up with a serious injury. During his rehabilitation, he learned to play guitar and write songs as a diversion. Alvaro was soon quite dedicated to his composition, and was joined by drummer and fellow professional soccer player, Polo. The group was finally completed with the addition of Pablo, who had moved to Madrid to study drama. Though their first material was written in English, they quickly switched to their native tongue, becoming an underground sensation in the growing Spanish punk scene. Their debut disc, Melodias Desafinadas, and its follow-up, Esto No Es un Disco de Punk, fell short of commercial success. However, Pignoise's third record, Anunciado en Televisión, produced a number of radio hits, including "Nada Que Perder," which became the theme song to the television show Los Hombres de Paco. Thanks to excellent radio support and regular live performances, the record soon went gold.