Décima Víctima
Encyclopedia
Decima Victima was a band formed by two Swedes and two Spaniards. During their short career between 1981 and 1984 they released two LPs, a maxisingle, two EPs and three singles. Their musical style has had different names at different times. It has been called Cold wave, Sinister, Goth and, even depressing. They liked to call it melancholic.
In 1981, with some friends, they started the independent label Grabaciones Accidentales (GASA), so they could release their own records.
'Tan Lejos' was so well received by the radio that months later Décima Víctima won The Maqueta de Oro (Golden Demo), an award voted by the listeners of Radio 3 (Radio Nacional de España, Spain's National Public Broadcaster), as one of the favourite tracks of 1982.
The sound, in spite of being played with only three instruments and voice, was as enveloping live as it was on record, thanks to the Mertanen Brothers' personal way of playing and to having, most of the times, Paco Trinidad as their sound engineer.
Most of their live shows were in Madrid, but they also played in Barcelona, Vigo, Valencia, Puertollano and Molina de Aragón.
Their last show was at Madrid's Rock-Ola on December 3, 1983.
In the winter of 1983 Décima Víctima recorded live, on a 4-track, a demo for their second Lp, 'Un Hombre Solo'. A few months later, already disbanded, they recorded it in the studio.
Maxis, EPs and singles
Compilation albums
Early Years
In 1981, brothers Lars and Per Mertanen formed the instrumental duo Cláusula Tenebrosa. After a show they started talking about the possibility of rehearsing with Carlos Entrena, a friend at the time and ex-singer of the recently split Ejecutivos Agresivos.In 1981, with some friends, they started the independent label Grabaciones Accidentales (GASA), so they could release their own records.
Quartet
In 1982, they decided to replace the drum machine by real drums and Jose Brena joined the band.'Tan Lejos' was so well received by the radio that months later Décima Víctima won The Maqueta de Oro (Golden Demo), an award voted by the listeners of Radio 3 (Radio Nacional de España, Spain's National Public Broadcaster), as one of the favourite tracks of 1982.
The sound, in spite of being played with only three instruments and voice, was as enveloping live as it was on record, thanks to the Mertanen Brothers' personal way of playing and to having, most of the times, Paco Trinidad as their sound engineer.
Most of their live shows were in Madrid, but they also played in Barcelona, Vigo, Valencia, Puertollano and Molina de Aragón.
The End
The band ended mainly for work reasons beyond their control. There were no musical or personal differences. They always were, above all, very good friends.Their last show was at Madrid's Rock-Ola on December 3, 1983.
In the winter of 1983 Décima Víctima recorded live, on a 4-track, a demo for their second Lp, 'Un Hombre Solo'. A few months later, already disbanded, they recorded it in the studio.
Discography
Studio albums- 1982: Décima Víctima LP
- 1984: Un Hombre Solo LP
Maxis, EPs and singles
- 1982: El Vacío EP
- 1982: Tan Lejos EP
- 1982: Detrás de la Mirada Single
- 1983: Algo en Común Maxisingle
- 1983: Un lugar en el Pasado Single
- 1984: Un Hombre Solo Single
Compilation albums
- 1994: Resumen CD
- 2010: Décima Víctima Box Set which includes their two LPs, an LP with the singles and demos and a booklet with the group's history, rare photos and lyrics.
Band members
- Carlos Entrena (Vocals)
- Lars Mertanen (Guitar)
- Per Mertanen (Bass)
- José Brena (Drums)
External links
- Official Website of Décima Víctima
- Carlos Entrena's Memorias Borrosas
- Lars Krantz' Official Website (formerly Lars Mertanen)
- Biography and discography of Décima Víctima
- Biography in Popes80
- Interview in Planeta Amarillo
- Cretina Blog about Décima Víctima
- Interview in Mondosonoro
- Non-official page in Myspace
- Non-official Facebook
- Interview in Disco Grande of Radio3 (4 feb 2011)