Latin rock band from Los Angeles Materia Gris, name based on Oingo Boingo's "Grey Matter," was formed in 1995 by singer/guitarist Carlos Aguilar and Marco Gutiérrez, composing their first songs in 1996. A year later, drummer/keyboardist Diego Palacios and percussionist Daniel Vallejo joined in, and they recorded a demo to promote their music. After guitarist Jarmaine Zavala and local musician Gilberto Flores became Materia Gris new members, the band had the opportunity to play alongside Mexican Maná on October 10, 1998 at Anaheim's Arrowhead Pond. A second demo, featuring "Decir Adios," "Vuela El Tiempo," and "En La Ciudad," was made soon after, allowing the group to sign up to Fonovisa in 1999. After three months of recording sessions, Materia Gris' first album, produced by Ricardo Ochoa, was released on May 2000. ~ Drago Bonacich