Die Toten Hosen’s farewell show in Argentina on October 10 was a celebration, and Cadena Perpetua were a major part of it. Hosen played a beautiful show, the crowd was incredible, and I got to see friends from Germany I hadn’t seen since the Boludos On Tour days. There will be plenty written about their farewell, and rightly so. But this is about Cadena Perpetua.
I’ve been listening to Cadena since the early 2000s, when I used to see them in much smaller venues. Seeing them on such a big stage, with sound that good, was spectacular and special. Those songs bring back an awful lot of memories.
Damián Biscotti (El Chino) has always been precise on drums, but I feel he adds more musicality to the band every year. Santiago Almeida (Sam) gives them that second guitar that makes the whole band sound as full as it does on record. Eduardo Graziadei (Edu) is one of my favorite bassists in punk rock. His playing is incredibly expressive, and the force of it hits you right in the chest. I’ve met him a few times, too, and he’s always struck me as a genuinely humble guy. Hernán Valente (El Vala) seems to be at his best right now, on guitar and vocals. And that Mesa Boogie DC still sounds fantastic.
Cadena Perpetua onstage. Photo: Diego U.
They opened with “Violencia” and finished with “Malas Costumbres”. Fourteen songs spanning different periods, all played by people who still seem genuinely excited to be together onstage. It doesn’t matter whether they’re in a small venue in Jujuy or an arena in Buenos Aires. You can see how much it means to them.
That’s also why I’ve respected this band for so long. They’ve stayed consistent with what they believe, and the lyrics have always been some of my favorites in Argentine punk. They’ve never stopped trying to improve, either. The musicianship keeps growing, and I hear that same progress in the lyrics. Whatever they do, they always seem to want to give a little more. Their latest album, El Disco Negro, captures a lot of what we’re living through. What’s harder to accept is how many older songs still sound current. But that’s another story.
If you get the chance to listen to them, whether on record or live, you won’t regret it.
Movistar Arena, Buenos Aires. Photo: Diego U.
It was an emotional night because of Hosen’s farewell. For me, seeing Cadena again was just as special. A few songs genuinely moved me. Their music has meant more to me than just music practically since the first time I saw them live.
Setlist
- Violencia
- Culpables
- Buscando Salidas
- Por Qué?
- Dispara
- Panorama
- Vivirías
- No Mires Al Cielo
- Algo Personal
- Sobrevivir
- Si Me Ves
- I Wanna Destroy You
- Sigo Acá
- Malas Costumbres