Venezuelan Wahala debuted in the local scene in 1997. The group's name, a Nigerian word which means trouble, was an idea of singer/guitarist Gustavo Casas, who used it to name a previous project while living in London, England. When Casas returned to Venezuela, he was joined by three enthusiastic musicians, creating a reggae and Latin ska act. Wahala's self-titled debut album was independently released in March of 1998. In June, the band was opening for Boston-based the Hi Hats, later participating in a benefit called Concierto de la Base, playing along with King Changó, Aterciopelados, Los Fabulosos Cadillacs, and Los Pericos and opening for UB40 in March of 1999. That same year, Wahala participated in a compilation called Puro Skañol, issued by Aztlan Records, also recording an EP called Killing Tamagas. In the year 2000, the band released a live record called Best Generation. ~ Drago Bonacich