A rundown building on Santa Juliana street in Madrid's Tetuán district holds memories of Extremoduro's first album recording in 1989. The band from Extremadura recorded 'Tú en tu casa, nosotros en la hoguera' at Avispa Records' M-20 studios, in an experience fraught with tensions and informal sessions that led to pirate tapes. Following Roberto Iniesta's death on December 10, this site becomes sentimental archaeology of Spanish rock.
The building at number 73 on Santa Juliana street, corner of Jerónima Llorente, in Madrid's Tetuán district, features boarded-up windows and a long-closed metal shutter. A faded sign reveals 'AVISPA', the name of the local record label that operated there in the 1980s and 1990s. Avispa, founded by brothers Carlos and Fernando Martínez, recorded albums for metal bands like Saratoga, Burning, and Los Suaves in its M-20 studios.
In 1989, Extremoduro, then a trio from Plasencia, signed with Avispa after placing third in the Yamaha contest at Sala Jácara. They had previously recorded the 'Rock Transgresivo' demo in January at Duplimatic studios and appeared on the TV show 'Plastic'. The band funded the recording of their debut, 'Tú en tu casa, nosotros en la hoguera', with 250,000 pesetas, agreeing to three albums over three years.
The experience was troubled. The band criticized the production, while Francisco Martínez blamed the group's casualness. J.J. Serrano, the sound engineer and makeshift producer, recalled in a YouTube interview by Juan Carlos Ramos: “Salo, who was the bassist, had a really good vibe; and Robe, very normal.” Sessions included breaks at the bar across the street, now a kebab and burger joint.
Extremoduro used the profits for thank-you records to friends, they claim, though Martínez denies it. For the second album, Carlos El Sucio joined on bass. They broke the contract over lack of promotion and payments. Before leaving, they recorded 15 tracks informally; Avispa released them as 'Maquetas 90' and 'Como animales', deemed pirate by the band. Serrano called the contract “absolutely leonine.” The owners justified the releases by claiming ownership of the material without a settlement signed. The group avoided lawsuits to prevent halting their activities.
With Roberto Iniesta's death on December 10, this building evokes the history of 1990s Spanish rock.
