Nuclear Valdez | nl

Nuclear Valdez is an rock band formed in Miami, USA in 1985 by singer/guitarist Froilan Sossa (aka Fro Sosa) and bassist Juan Luis Diaz. They gigged around building a grassroots following and linking up with lead guitarist Jorge Barcala and drummer Robert Slade LeMont. Contrary to a common assumption, their moniker had nothing to do with the Exxon oil tanker disaster, but was simply a joking nickname for a former coworker of Diaz's with an explosive temper.

All band members all are of Latin descent (Diaz, Barcala, and LeMont are all Cuban-American) and were born outside of the United States. Their music is the mixture of Latin sounds they heard in their parents' homes with the American Rock n' Roll.

In the early 90's, the band released two albums on Epic Records. Their debut album, I Am I, produced the radio hit Summer. MTV were early believers in the band and proved critical to their early success; early on, the song was put into Active rotation. The band then filmed a promotional clip for MTV with director Paula Grief and were invited to appear on one of the early episodes of their groundbreaking show Unplugged with The Alarm. Featured guest performers on the album included Bruce Brody of Lone Justice, Benmont Tench of Tom Petty's Heartbreakers and Meredith Brooks.

After touring extensively throughout Europe and the United States, Nuclear Valdez went back into the studio to work on their second album, Dream Another Dream with producer Steve Brown (The Cult, George Michael, Manic Street Preachers). The single Dance Where The Bullets Fly aired on a season finale of the popular television show Melrose Place and was the band's foray to commercial Top 40 radio. This album was far more complicated in structure, drawing on the band's Latin roots; the shift in style failed to click with U.S. fans and the group went on an extended hiatus.

After pursuing other musical endeavors individually, the band decided to reform in the beginning of 2000. Joined by new lead guitar player Rafael Tarrago, who previously played with various Miami artists, the band recorded 12 new songs for the 2002 album In a Minute All Could Change and has been active ever since.

More info can be found on their official website: www.nuclearvaldez.com .