Sôber

Sôber was one of Spain’s most popular rock bands during the early 2000s. Formed in Madrid, the band originally called itself Sober Stoned, a name that paid tribute to the musicians’ alcohol-free lifestyle. After releasing a debut album, Torcidos, in 1997, the group shortened its name to Sôber and signed with Zero Records. Morfología followed in 1999, but it wasn’t until the band’s third album, Synthesis, that Sôber began attracting a wide audience in Spain. Paradÿsso followed in 2002, selling more than 100,000 copies thanks to a progressive, guitar-driven, hard rock sound that earned comparisons to American groups like Tool. Sôber released one more album, Reddo, before taking a long hiatus in 2005. All four members pursued their own projects during the break, although one of those side projects — Savia, a rock band that featured Sôber bandmates Carlos Escobedo and drummer Alberto Madrid — was cut short after Madrid’s fatal car crash in 2006. Four years later, the band re-formed with a new drummer, Manu Reyes, and began working on a new album. Superbia was released in 2011, following a lengthy tour of Spain, South America, and Central America. ~ Andrew Leahey