The city of Caracas, with its chaos, crowds and innate urban elements, has nurtured the creativity of four youngsters who needed to voice their emotions and feelings as they were looking to overcome the economic and politic obstacles in their transition to adulthood. In this scenario, Latin Grammy winning rock band VINILOVERSUS decided to add a thrilling chapter to the history of rock music in their native Venezuela.
Rodrigo Gonsalves (Vocals and Guitar), Adrián Salas (Bass and backing vocals), Juan Victor Belisario (Bass backing vocals) and Mangan Orlando Martínez (Drums) formed VINILOVERSUS back in 2006. That same year, the band won the 'New Bands Fest' with a surprising and captivating signature sound that fused classic rock with modern rhythms.
In 2007, VINILOVERSUS released the debut album 'El Dia esHoy' (Today is the Day), which earned recognition from specialized media that labeled the band as 'the greatest new group in Venezuelan Rock today'. This CD was produced by the renowned Rudy Pagliuca and the first single "Directo al Grano" (Cut to the Chase) hit the airwaves in Venezuela and was even included in the official soundtrack of the movie 'Puras Joyitas' (Neat Jewels) while single hits 'Dos Secretos' (Two Secrets), 'Nada Numero 2' (Not #2)and 'Acelera' (Speed Up) landed Top Ten positions in the radio charts.
One year later, VINILOVERSUS toured Spain in support of the digital release of 'El Dia es Hoy', which reached iTunes' Featured New Artists -Europe Section, and rocked Madrid, Bilbao and Barcelona. During their visit in Barcelona the band also recorded the video of hit single 'Cocaina'(Cocaine).
In 2009, the four-piece act toured the U.S. and shared the stage with Latin Glam Rock legends Babasonicos at LA's Nokia Theater. VINILOVERSUS also played the legendary SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, and played in the city of Miami. Back in Venezuela, that same year the group headlined the festival 'Por El Medio De LaCalle' performing before a 6,000-audience, and contributed to 'Alza tu Voz' an Amnesty International CD.
In October 2010, VINILOVERSUS rocked the legendary Poliedro de Caracas, one of the most legendary concert venues in Northern South America. There, they shared the stage with Nine Inch Nails as part of NIN's Lights in The Sky Tour. It was also in 2010 that the group kicked off the recording process of the follow up to their promising debut album.
'Si No Nos Mata' (If It Doesn't Kill Us) came out that same year and received one Latin Grammy nomination for 'Best Rock Album'-Latin American legends Gustavo Cerati and Andres Calamaro were also nominated in that same category. The first singles, 'Llámame y Desaparezco' (Call and I'll be Gone), 'Juega Bien Tus Cartas' (Play Your Cards Carefully) and 'Amnesia Invocada' (Invoked Amnesia) climbed to the top of the national charts. The band also toured Venezuela, the U.S., Colombia and Mexico in support of this new release.
2012 album 'Cambie de Nombre' (I Changed My Name) sold over 15,000 copies, received a nomination to the 2012 Latin Grammy Award for 'Best Rock Album', and won in the category 'Best Packaging' along with designer MASA. This album also provided the band with 2 Pepsi Music Awards this year. First singles off the album were 'Yunque", 'Tu Ambicion' (Your Ambition) and 'Ares.'
With an innovative fusion of hypnotic beats, potent bass lines, sharp and fierce riffs, and heartfelt and defiant lyrics-sung by the rebellious voice of front man Rodrigo Gonsalves, VINILOVERSUS continues to bring Venezuelan rock music to a whole new level.
