Zapato 3
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Álvaro Segura, Carlos Segura |
| Defunct | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Caracas , Venezuela |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Zapato 3 was a Venezuelan alternative rock group active between 1980 and 2000, established by siblings Álvaro Segura (guitar, backing vocals) and Carlos Segura (lead vocals).
Overview
The initial lineup comprised Javier Avellaneda (lead singer), Fernando Batoni (bass guitar), Pedro Romero (guitar), and Ernesto Rodríguez (drums). The ultimate formation included Carlos Segura (vocals, percussion), Cesar Domínguez (drums), Jaime Verdaguer (Fender Rhodes), Fernando Batoni (guitar), Jesús Piñango (tambourine), Hilda Carmona, Álvaro Segura (backing vocals), Korg Synthesizer (keyboards, guitar), Manuel Barrios (saxophone), Diego Marquez (mixing engineer), Mauricio Arcas (percussion), and Juan Bautista López (choirs, vocals, guitar).
Originating in early 1984 among students of Santiago de León de Caracas High School, the band experienced multiple personnel changes. Ingrid Dreissing briefly held the position of lead vocalist before departing, succeeded by Javier Avellaneda. Their early sound was heavily influenced by punk, gradually evolving towards lyrics with social commentary. The drummer role transitioned from Ernesto Rodríguez to José Félix Avellaneda, followed by Diego Marquez, and ultimately Mauricio Cepeda. Jorge Ramirez joined as guitarist in 1986 but was later replaced by Álvaro Segura. Around this time, the group functioned as a trio—Fernando Batoni on bass, Javier Avellaneda on vocals, and Álvaro Segura on guitars—utilizing electronic drums.
In late 1988, Javier Avellaneda exited the band; Carlos Segura took over lead vocals while Diego Márquez returned to drums. This configuration represented their most consistent lineup though it coincided with a decline in their underground fanbase.
By 1989, Zapato 3 was gaining nationwide acclaim. Their musical style transitioned from punk and socially charged themes to polished rock with provocative lyrics. Their first album, Amor, Furia y Languidez (1990), contained key tracks that achieved national attention and included opening for Soda Stereo at the Caracas stop of the Gira Animal tour in 1990.
The release of Bésame y Suicídate in 1991 cemented their reputation and broadened their international reach. In 1994’s Separación, lineup adjustments saw Diego Marquez replaced by Rafael Cadavieco on drums and the addition of Jaime Verdaguer on keyboards, signaling a move toward techno influences. This direction continued with the 1995 album Cápsula Para Volar. By the time Ecos Punzantes del Ayer was issued in 1999, César Domínguez had taken over drumming duties from Cadavieco.
By 1995, Zapato 3 had completed extensive tours throughout Venezuela and Mexico; by 1997 they performed in Miami alongside artists such as Soda Stereo, Aterciopelados, and Venezuelan groups including Desorden Público and Caramelos de Cianuro. In 1999, Eugenio Miranda authored their biography titled Zapato 3: Una Fantastica Historia de Amor y Aventura. Their music remains accessible via platforms like eBay, Amazon.com, and CD Now. The band disbanded following the release of Ecos Punzantes del Ayer.
Reunion
In 2009, a countdown appeared on their official website suggesting a potential comeback. On October 10, 2010, during an interview on La Mega 107.3 FM’s Fabricado Acá program, members Fernando Batoni, Rafael Cadavieco, Diego Márquez, Álvaro Segura, and Jaime Verdaguer confirmed intentions for a tour but indicated that the final offer did not meet expectations. Batoni highlighted that any reunion would depend on favorable circumstances.
In 2011, keyboardist Jaime Verdaguer declared an "inevitable return" through the band’s official Twitter account, confirming talks for a national tour planned for 2012. Shortly thereafter, during a live set by Solares—which featured Carlos and Álvaro Segura alongside Jaime Verdaguer—at Valencia’s Motorland Festival, Fernando Batoni joined them onstage to perform Zapato 3 songs and pledged an official reunion for the following year.
After twelve years apart, Zapato 3 officially regrouped on March 24, 2012, at the Maracay Fairs’ 107th anniversary event. The lineup consisted of the Segura brothers, Fernando Batoni, Jaime Verdaguer, and Diego Márquez. Following this successful concert, they announced The Last Crusade national tour commencing July 13 in Maracaibo via their official website and social media platforms.
Albums
- Amor, Furia y Languidez (1989)
- Grabaciones Clandestinas
- Includes tracks such as "Un Poco Ausente," "No Puedo Despegar," "Que Mente," "Mi Chica," "Mariposas de Plata," "Tocarte Tocarte," "Corrientes Turbulentas," "Asfalto," and "Náuseas Nocturnas"
- Bésame y Suicídate (1991)
- Sonográfica/Universal Music
- Features songs like "Déjame Hablar" (Radio Version), "Ahora Estoy Sin ti," "Tan Cerca De ti," "Pantaletas Negras," "Azul Azul," "Uñas Asesinas," "Amo Las Estrellas," and "Como Un Fantasma," including live and disco renditions of selected pieces
- Separación (1993)
- Sonográfica/Universal Music
- Contains tracks including "Donde Estas," "Obstinado," "Separación," "Amor De Hierro," "Pienso Perdonarte," and "El Amor Es Sangre," among others
- Cápsula para Volar (1995)
- Universal Music
- Tracks feature titles like "Hermana," "Muriendo Por ti," "El Sol y La Luna," and "Maya," with hidden acoustic versions embedded within some songs
- Ecos Punzantes del Ayer (1999)
- Max Music
- Presents songs such as "Entrada de Bala," "Dios," "Permanecer," and "El Amante"
- Lo Mejor de Zapato 3 (2010)
- Sonográfica/Universal Music
- A greatest hits collection including notable tracks like "Déjame Hablar," "Ahora Estoy Sin ti," and "Tan Cerca De ti"
- La ultima cruzada live (2014)
- On Records
- Live performances of prominent songs including “Separación,” “Como un fantasma,” “Ahora estoy sin ti,” “Muriendo por ti,” “Amo las estrellas,” “Obstinado,” and “Amor de hierro”
Singles
- Amaranto (2017)
- Te Prendo como Mirra (2017)
- Elefantes Marinos (2018)
- Xanax (2018)
- Independiente
References
- Eugenio Miranda, Zapato 3: una fantástica historia de amor y aventura, Fondo Editorial Letras, 1999
- La Ultima Cruzada, la pelicula 2014
- Guarache, Una Idea Muy Obscena. Ediciones B 2015