An Interview with Los Beat 3.

Who are Los Beat 3?
We are a band from Caracas, Venezuela; we've always had a great love for the Beatles and their music. The band was founded in 1988. We have two previous albums; one recorded in 1989 and the other one in 1991, both Beatle homage albums in Spanish. After a long while, we're preparing our new record which will come out in a few weeks and that features our own recordings.
We are: Axel Rojas - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar. Ibsen Rosales - Lead guitar. Alejandro Perez - Drums. Carlos Quintero - Bass, lead vocals. Alexandra Romero - Keyboards.

What are the dubious origins of Los Beat 3?
Four guys that met in the shooting of a TV commercial that featured a Beatle song, back in 1988. They then decided to do it seriously.

What do you think makes The Beatles a band which people want to emulate all over the world?
Axel: Because it's just the greatest band that has ever existed in all history. There will never be a band with such a special magic like the Beatles when they were together. The music, as simple as it gets, yet as complex as all the special details added by each one of them. There will never be anyone like them, period!
Carlos: They changed the whole musical, social, ideological and religious aspects in the whole world. They were a revolution. Music is divided like this: Before the Beatles and After the Beatles

What are your favourite songs to perform live?
We like all of the Beatles songs, but if we had choose our favourites:
Axel: With A Little Help From My Friends; Rain; Back In The USSR & In My Life.
Carlos: You Can't Do That; Roll Over Beethoven and Drive My Car, Rain.
Alejandro: Roll Over Beethoven; One After 909; Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band & In My Life.
Ibsen: While My Guitar Gently Weeps; Live And Let Die & Here Comes The Sun
Alexandra: Blackbird; Tell Me Why & Strawberry Fields Forever.

What would you do if a former Beatle turned up at one of your shows?
Axel: It would be such a thrill to meet one of the Beatles, although my hero is not amongst us anymore.
Alejandro: I would be p…pe..pp..petrified. I would be very proud to be in front of one of the guys we are paying tribute to.
Carlos: I would invite him to listen to an audition of our own tracks! (Giggles…)

Do you only perform Beatles songs or do write your own songs too?
Right now, we're working on our latest album that comes filled with all our own compositions.

What do you think of Beatlefans?
Alejandro: Wonderful and decent people with a vast and wide point of view. People who have dedicated themselves to research (Specially the ones that didn't live through the 60's) and read about the fab four.
Axel: Just like me, I'm only 22, and I'm one of the greatest Beatle fan/lovers in the world. I've been listening to the Beatles since I was 5, and I never get Beatled-out.

What is it about the Liverpool Beatles Convention that you enjoy so much?
Alejandro: The greatest environment, so many people sharing knowledge united by the same feelings.
Axel: Well, first of all, I love the city of Liverpool, I fell in love with it the first time I visited, in fact, someday I would like to live there. I'd have to say that being in the festival, walking around, every place has a different Beatle song playing every moment and a different band with various interesting characteristics playing the songs as well Carlos: Happiness all around. No one can be seen angry. It would be great that the world was like that every day.

What would you say has been your most 'Beatle-like' moment?
Alejandro: Of course that my first trip to L'pool and my first gig at the Cavern Club
Carlos: My first trip to Liverpool (This year)
Axel: We all agree that it is the first time in Liverpool

What would you say is the most inspiring/inspired Beatle lyric?
Alejandro: Eleanor Rigby Carlos: Strawberry Fields forever
Axel: I'm a loser

If you could be a fly on the wall at any moment in The Beatles career, when would it be?
Alejandro: During the Abbey Road sessions
Carlos: During the Sgt. Pepper sessions
Axel: Standing over Lennon's guitar neck in the Abbey Road studios roof concert. I would fly away if Lennon tried to smash me, but I would stick around…

Nina Douglas
TWIL Issue Two October 2000