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Catalan rock experienced a boom during the 1990's. Groups like Sopa de Cabra, Sau, Els Pets and Lax'n'Busto became icons for the first generation to be educated in their native tongue in decades. Overnight, these bands and their members became true idols.

What few know is that rock on our home turf was actually born much earlier, back during the era of the 60's. Inspired by the musical wave from the States, the fresh sounds of bands like Màquina, Vértice, Música Dispersa and Joaka began to be heard. But this first crop of rockers was hit hard when the Als Quatre Vents recording label went bust. What's more, the musical scene in our neck of the woods has tended to be dominated by composers of 'Nova cançó', whose lyrics reflected the socio-political struggles sweeping our nation.

These odds notwithstanding, groups like the Companyia Elèctrica Dharma and the Orquestra Mirasol appeared on the scene in the mid-seventies, and in 1975, the first Festival Canet Rock was held with great popular success. And the flame of Catalan rock was kept burning during the 80's by musicians like Pau Riba and Jaume Sisa.

But, as we said initially, it wasn't until the last decade that Catalan rock took over our local music scene. To young folks and not-so-young folks, these groups singing in Catalan represented the expression of their own political dissatisfaction. In more recent years, bands like Gossos, Ja T'ho Diré and the Brams have appeared.