puya bio

Puya began it's journey back in 1990 in their mother land Puerto Rico as an instrumental power trio called “Whisker Biscuit”.

The band was founded by guitarist Ramon Ortiz and bassist Harold Hopkins who where close friends since their elementary school days. Soon they recruited drummer Ed Paniagua, who was replaced for a period of time by drummer Joshyn Rodriguez. After finishing courses at Berklee College Of Music in Boston, Ed rejoined the band.

With their fusion of heavy, funk, jazz, rock and latin grooves they quickly started to gain attention allowing them to build a solid fan base in Puerto Rico.

Still the band felt that they where missing the vocal element which would allow them to have a deeper connection with their audience. And so they began their search for a lead singer. After having played with various singers they finally crossed paths with Sergio Curbelo who full filed the bands needs and their search for a singer was over.

In 1992 the band decides to relocate to Ft.Lauderdale Florida, where they spent the next 5 years playing the local rock/metal scene as an independent band and defining their unique sound. This is when they decided to change their band name to one that better suited their style, and PUYA was born...

During this period of time they met a gentleman by the name of Jeff Renza who took a genuine interest in the band. Being a musician himself he saw the raw potential and convinced the band to record their first demo at his own home studio.

Their six song demo was done and the band started to play gigs all over town with every band in the South Florida music scene. PUYA began to expand their territory. The band quickly landed an independent deal with Noiz Boiz Records who produced their first self titled studio album engineered by Jeff Renza. Even though this album had limited distribution, it opened many doors for PUYA allowing them to play bigger venues.
After their performances at the Billboard Latin Music Conference in Miami and the CMJ Convention in NY in 1995 the band got undeniable attention from the music industry.

They met world renowned producer Bob Ezrin (Kiss, Alice Cooper, Peter Gabriel), who took such an interest in PUYA that in 1996 he convinced the band to go to Los Angeles in order to land a publishing deal with Rondor Music (Lance Freed), and so the band did. Once under the Rondor umbrella the band starts recording demos in Los Angeles while playng shows in the LA scene such as “La Banda Elastica Fest” at the Universal Amphitheatre with bands like Jaguares and Molotov and the “Latin Music Festival”at the Hollywood Bowl with mayor acts like Ruben Blades and Willie Colon. PUYA was also playing rock clubs in Hollywood such as The Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, The Troubador and House of Blues among others. They where quickly spreading their unique brand of rock all over the west coast. In May 1996 the band realized their first show over seas in Bogota, Colombia at Rock Al Parque Festival where they played in front of 60,000 people being the only independent band on the bill.

By 1997 the band lands their first mayor lable deal with MCA Records and goes on to release their first internationally distributed album called “Fundamental” produced by Gustavo Santaolaya (Molotov, Juanes). With songs like Oasis, Sal Pa Fuera and title track Fundamental, the record quickly became a staple in the spanish and american rock scene making PUYA one of the most important bands of it's genre and winning them a Billboard Award for Best Spanish Rock Album, and an ASCAP Award for the song “Oasis”. The band toured relentlessly over the next 4 years in the US, Canada and Latin America on mayor tours such as the Ozzfest 99, Red Hot Chilipeppers, Iron Maiden, Sepultura, Slipknot and System of a Down among many others.

By the year 2000 PUYA took part in rock compilations and sound tracks such as Heavy Metal 2000 (animated film) with the song “Tirale” produced by Gustavo Santaolaya, and the album “Outlandos D' America”, a spanish rock tribute to The Police by Myles Copeland, with the song “Almas” produced by Bob Ezrin.

In 2001 PUYA released their second album with MCA called “UNION” produced by Garth Richardson (Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chilipeppers, Mudvaine) and Andrew Mudrock (Powerman 5000, Godsmack).

PUYA continued to tour until the end of 2001 when the events of 9/11 took place causing the band to cancel their entire touring schedule for the next year. Once they finished their contractual obligations with MCA, the band decides to take a long awaited rest.

In March 2002, PUYA performed their own headlining show at the Tito Puente Amphitheater in Puerto Rico which was recorded in order to make an independent Live DVD produced by bassist Harold Hopkins. However, the band members decide to take a step back and spend time with their own projects.

By 2003 guitarist Ramon Ortiz started his own band in Los Angeles called “Ankla”, combining his undeniable latin vein with elements of metal and thrash. Meanwhile, bassist Harold Hopkins puts together his own band in Puerto Rico called “Yeva”, a fusion of afro-caribbean grooves with elements of rock. Ed Paniagua spent his time recording drum tracks as well as touring for various solo artists. Sergio Curbelo went back to school for graphic computer arts in Miami.

For the next 6 years Puya remains in hiatus while it's members pursue their other proyects.

In May 15th 2009, after being absent for 6 years, PUYA reunites kicking it off as headliners at the Stereo Music Fest, PR Convention Center where 12,000 kids posted for the ocasion.
It was followed by their second headlining reunion show on August 27th 2009 at the Medalla Yellow Pass, Mayaguez PR with an attendance of over 60,000.

PUYA is currently gearing up for their third reunion show as headliners to take place on November 1st 2009 at the Snickers Urbania Xtreme Games, Bayamon PR.

For the remainder of 2009 PUYA will be in the studio producing their own Ep with new material to be released independently in March 2010. During this time the band will also be releasing their Live DVD from the Tito Puente Amphitheater 2002 concert.

In 2010, after openning the Guns n Roses Chinese Democracy World Tour concert at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum on April and headlining Rock Al Parque Festival in Bogota Colombia in July in front of 50,000 fans, Puya is finally releasing their brand new EP Areyto in August 27th making it's debut at #1 on the Itunes Alternative & Rock Latino Top Albums chart upon release. Puya now gears up for their headlining concert on September 25th at the Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan PR, followed by US and Latin American tour dates.