Professional Documents
Culture Documents
The early beginnings of the group date back to 1994, when a group of three Amer
natives, Joan Pars (trumpet), Josep Monserrat (alto saxophone) and Francesc
Romero, Tico (vocalist), shared a common passion for groups such as Skatal,
Decibelios, Kortatu, Madness
After several months of uncertainty, the project began taking shape with the
addition of Narcs Prtulas (keyboard) and Marc Clar (trombone), also Amer
natives. In mid-1994, the group decided it was time to recruit a drummer, a guitarist
and a bass player in order to start rehearsing. Albert Vilar (drummer) was the next
addition, along with Gerard Cornell (guitarist), both from Vilob dOnyar. Although
the bass player was still lacking, DESKARATS started to rehearse in 1995.
DESKARATS was officially created in 1997, comprised of 7 members: Tico
(vocalist), Josep Monserrat (alto saxophone), Joan Pars (trumpet), Marc Clar
(trombone), Narcs Prtulas (keyboard), Albert Vilar (drummer) and Gerard
Cornell (guitarist).
The first few months were very difficult and the first official performance did not
take place until February of 1999, when they played in a concert in Amer
performing covers of other groups. In November later that year, Jordi Cornell
joined the group as bass player.
One of the most critical moments for the group was when they decided to let Albert
Vilar go due to personal reasons. This departure led the group to consider
breaking up. But ambition and the faith placed in the project proved to be more
powerful than the obstacles encountered. For a while Joan Vergs, a previous
member of the no longer existing Kingstones, collaborated as drummer. It was
during this time that DESKARATS shared the stage with Skalariak, Dr. Ring Ding
and were also Komando Moriles official support group in their winter tour.
The arrival of the groups current drummer, Pere Jord, occurred in August of
2000. The addition of this latest member enabled the group to developt the style it
had sought since the beginning. This event led to the decision of pursuing the first
demo recording, which aimed to reflect a personal, unique style shaped by the
musical influences of the groups members.
Following the first demo recording, Josep Ferriol (bass player) joined the group.
Shortly after, Josep Ferriol left the group and returned some time later as
keyboardist. In May 2001, as the group again shared the stage with Skalariak, the
demo was presented in Amer. It is titled Deskarat! and includes five original
songs, aimed at finding a niche in the countrys ska sector.
Two years later and after several changes, the group recorded what would become
their first album, Per la cara. As the name indicates (For Nothing), the album
required a great financial effort on the part of the group members given that no
record label would sign them and they had to produce the album themselves.
Soon after the album recording, DESKARATS faced the worst news yet- Joan
Pars, founding member of DESKARATS, left the group due to personal reasons.
The album was well-received however, and it didnt take long to see positive results
throughout the country. Unfortunately, this did not translate into album sales.
Disheartened by this and other personal problems, the group took some time out to
reflect.
This setback helped the group mature musically and along with the fact that it was
eager to continue rockin, a revitalized comeback soon followed with the addition of
new members. Jaume Casta joined the group as tenor saxophone player. This
new addition boosted the groups self-esteem and the news that would change the
groups course finally arrived. Rob Hingley Bucket, leader of the New York group
The Toasters, agreed to work with the group on what would be the second album
for some, the second demo recording for others. DKS, with Buckets production