LE MANS was a band from San Sebastián (Spain) formed by Jone Gabarain (vocals), Teresa Iturrioz (bass), Ibon Errazkin (guitar), Gorka Ochoa (drums) y Peru Izeta (guitar). This was their first album, originally released by Elefant in January 1994.

Jone, Teresa, Ibon and Peru had previoulsy released an album in 1989 for DRO label, under the monicker of AVENTURAS DE KIRLIAN. The first steps of LE MANS are a logical progression of that album, tak…

LE MANS was a band from San Sebastián (Spain) formed by Jone Gabarain (vocals), Teresa Iturrioz (bass), Ibon Errazkin (guitar), Gorka Ochoa (drums) y Peru Izeta (guitar). This was their first album, originally released by Elefant in January 1994.

Jone, Teresa, Ibon and Peru had previoulsy released an album in 1989 for DRO label, under the monicker of AVENTURAS DE KIRLIAN. The first steps of LE MANS are a logical progression of that album, taking their influences (MARINE GIRLS, FELT and Cherry Red bands, Motown soul music) as a starting point  to write absolutely personal songs, creating a sound that would be set as a reference for a whole generation of Spanish pop bands.

This sound is fragile and understated, avoiding affectation and the noise guitar trends of the early nineties; this sound takes shape in simple, sincere songs that sound so natural that you ask yourself how come nobody had found such an effective formula before.  But the truth is nobody sounded liked that in the early nineties, combining sensitiveness and naturality in a magical way. Songs like “Astronautas” or “Jersey inglés” are just some of them.

We can find in this album some of LE MANS’ most distinctive features: the white, delicate vocals of Jone Gabarain, the exquisite guitar hooks of Ibon Errazkin and the words by Teresa Iturrioz, always telling very simple but absolutely endearing day-to-day stories.

“Le Mans” (the album) is opened by the dancey charms of “Un rayo de sol”; this is one of the band’s most popular numbers worldwide, as it was featured in many international pop compilations. It is followed by more relaxed, 100% LE MANS songs such as “Jersey inglés” (with a guitar lick taken from ORANGE JUICE), “Juan” or “Al bulevar”. Another remarkable moment is “H.E.L.L.O”, who is featured by some shy electronic beats and the vocal colaboration of Borja (LA BUENA VIDA).

This first album by LE MANS would also be released in Japan and United States, enhanced with the songs of second album “Entresemana”. Due to these international releases, LE MANS would turn into underground pop darlings all over the world.