Jumbo

Jumbo is a Mexican alternative rock band from Monterrey, Mexico, active from 1997 to the present. The band forms around Clemente Castillo, Charly Castro, Flip Tamez and Eduardo Gonzalez.

Early history and formation

Before Jumbo forms, Castillo, Charly, Eddie, Chuy Guerra, Javier Othón and René Garza play together in a band called Blueswagen in the early 1990s. That group mainly performs covers of artists including The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Doors, Pink Floyd, R.E.M., U2, The Police, Lenny Kravitz, Stone Temple Pilots and Red Hot Chili Peppers. As the group gains a larger following through bars and clubs and records a number of demos, one of those demos reaches BMG, which then looks for the band and signs them.

Flip joins in 1996, and in 1997 Bugs, Eddie’s brother, returns from Quintana Roo and also joins. The band then changes its name to Jumbo, taking the name from an Asian baby boy named Jumbo Jin Li.

Albums and songs

Jumbo records its first album, Restaurant, in 1997 and 1998. The album includes the singles “Monotransistor,” “Siento que...,” “Aquí” and “Fotografía,” which are described as well received. In 2001, the band returns with its second album, D.D. y ponle play, led by the single “Rockstar.” A song from the album, “Motocicleta,” appears in a television commercial.

In 2003, the band releases its last studio album, Teleparque, which produces the songs “En Repetición” and “Bajo Control.” Earlier in 2005, Jumbo issues a greatest-hits CD/DVD package containing two new songs, “Caminando Hacia Atrás” and “Hasta Que El Sol Se Apague,” together with its music-video history.

Membership changes

In May 2005, Eduardo and Bugs Wako leave the band. Bugs moves to Los Angeles with his wife, while Eduardo leaves to pursue other musical projects.

Other meaning of the name

The name Jumbo is also used by several other acts, including an Italian progressive rock band from Milan formed at the end of 1969, a late-1990s indie group from Newcastle, a late-1980s Japanese band, and a South African gospel singer active in the 2010s.