Classic Rock Magazine
Interview
Classic Rock Magazine
Interview
CONTRABAND
BRITAINS BEST TRIBUTE BANDS
VIVA SANTANA
Interview with Brett Callwood
This self proclaimed'phenominal six-piece Latin rock explosion' have been presenting their tribute to rock god Carlos Santana for around six yearsnow, and have become a highly respected tribute band on the UK circuit. Close your eyes and Viva Santana are as close to the real thing as it's possible to get. Carlos-alike Marcos Rodriguez tells us more.
Which era of Santana's music do you concentrate on?
We cover the whole spectrum, and we go from the very beginning. Carlos dosen't really touch on the early stuff any more when he plays, because whenever he's here he's bringing out a new album. We concentrate on the old hits and drop in a couple of new ones.
Do you dress up to look like the band?
Everyone knows that he has amoustache and curly hair, and we could do that, but I think it would cheapen the performance. Santana is about the music and the feeling.
Has Carlos or any of his band heard of you?
We've heard reports that he's heard of us, but I can't tell you he's seen us because that would be lying. Hopefully if he reads this he'll give me a ring. We can have a jam.
Do you ever get the 'frustrated artist' feeling and want to play your own songs?
Not at all. Done that. This is a labour of love in the true sense. This is my baby, purely for the love of the music. I have various other projects going on at the same time anyway.
Whats the biggest audience or venue you've played to?
That'll be 7,000 at the Skegness Blues festival. We normally play to theatres of 500. We prefer the theatres to clubs, because we like the grandparents and children to be there. With all due respect to the clubs that have been very good to us, blues clubs tend to have guys sitting in the corner on thier own with thier beer and leather jacket. Santana's music is a real family thing.
What's the highlight of your career so far?
Probably doing the London Guitar show at Wembley in 2004. Once you've played in front of 1,000 guitar player all watching your fingers, nothing scares you.
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