WHO

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We started this band Three years ago with the idea of making our music based on the interaction of the four of us without thinking about marketing labels or trends of the time. We already knew each other because we were recording musicians at the time at some studios, and that's the way we got to know each other until we became close friends. So there were Fernando Scheel and Manuel Garcia thinking after the release of Fernando Scheel's second album about the idea of not relying on computers for musical partners for composing and performing, and came up with an idea, that, if worked, could become a really creative driven experience and make some of the music that dwelled their heads. By that time, Fernando Martin, after finishing his studies in graphic design went to M.I. (musicians Institute) for one year to perfect his already wide knowledge in drums. When he just came back from Hollywood, CA M.I. with his "Outstanding student of the year" percussion diploma, and vocational honor graduate student credits, after a brief phone call, agreed to join in. Now we were three...but something was missing.... the fourth element in our band...the bass player and the youngest member in SAPIENS was at the time known for his live performances with a very popular local pop band, for our luck they broke up in 1997 leaving him bandless; so there's the perfect timing for another phone call, and he also agreed quickly; so now the complete band, in the very first rehearsal, after a few words, chemistry arose, and started to play what later became "Busco" the seventh song in "Aureola Gris".

When rehearsing with SAPIENS, a new idea can burst out any minute. The compositions found in "Aureola Gris" were arranged in a time span of two months rehearsing on weekends plus a day or two sometimes during the week. It started out as a Jamm thing until an arrangement was established, then recorded it on a cassette in a tinny recorder in the middle of the room, that way every one could have a copy and after listening to it, choose the better stuff so lyrics could be thought out by Fernando Scheel, who ended writing most of the lyrics, based on the music's concept. A lot of those early compositions had to go through a "filtering" process in which the ones that communicate by themselves and meshed together better were chosen for their final touches, so leaving few chance of surprises in the recording process. Aureloa Gris is the first CD effort in which SAPIENS showcases the mixture of influences that define their sound; although, SAPIENS's evolutive nature can make listeners expect for new forms of expressions, as the shifts in moods,meters and styles heard in their new compositions and live shows are stretching the basic sound found in "Aureola Gris" without loosing their distinctive personality. Sometimes relying more on groove ,loose feel and minimalist arrangements, and sometimes letting all that adrenaline flow.

Fernando had already a career of his own as a solo artist in our country, and some of his compositions had represented our country in Latin-American contests like O.T.I.; he has three CD's as a solo performer with producer credits on all of them and also on two others for different pop artists released in Guatemala and Mexico. (Oddly enough Fernando Martin and Manuel Garcia appeared on some of those recordings). This is what Fernando has to say about himself: I started playing the piano as a child, and took some basic lessons, then I started doing some early compositions on my own and played them at school. I was influenced by many of the new wave bands in the '80's, and by pop rock bands like Soda Stereo. I remember liking U2 and Depeche Mode a lot. Right now I'm more into an electronic, rave and trip dance mode, working with loops and samples with an E-mu sampler, an expanded Roland XP-80, and a Yamaha aNX1 synth. That gives me some tools to work from the producer point of view. With Sapiens is mostly the XP-80, but we're now incorporating samples in our live shows more, sometimes there are some sequences, and deal with them with a click that goes to the drummer through headphones.

(Meme, for his friends) besides recording with Fernando Scheel, and for other local artists, has producer credits on a record for a local artist. Studied classical guitar in his early teen years, then shifted to the electric after hearing Van Halen. Then studied with books and every publication guitar related that got in his hands. Jazz and fusion influences were also important, tutored by Berkley graduated musician German Giordano, were he learned the basics about improvising, harmony and sight-reading jazz standards. On a courious note, in 1998, there was a contest sponsored by a local radio station, in which the first prize consisted on a Van Halen peavey Wolfgang special guitar, autographed by the man himself. Now that guitar is part of Meme's guitar arsenal, which also includes an '80's Ibanez RG550DX, a Charvel CX model and a Carvin electro-acoustic. Meme runs his signal through a Boss GT-5 into a Yamaha 2x12 amp with custom speakers. This is what Meme had to say about himself: I have a lot of influences, and the more I broaden my musical spectrum, the more many musicians influence me. I started with rock though, I remember liking a lot of Van Halen, Ratt, Dokken and Motley Crue; then I discovered what at the time, and now are classics, like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Cream; and discovered too that this musicians were influenced by the blues, since then, blues is an influence that has never went away, and something that has touched me deeply. Then I started listening to guitar oriented stuff, like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse (with and without the Dregs), Yngwie Malmsteen and Tony McAlpine. That and UK, Rush and Yes, became my predilect listening for a long time. The learning experience with German Giordano, also made an impact on the way I perceived music. I got to know and like music from guys like Scott Henderson (alone or with chick Corea or Tribal Tech) Frank Gambale, Allan Holdsworth and Pat Metheny. Not that I can play like these guys, not at all, it's just that they made me realize how music can be a very exiting thing, when done creatively.

Fernando started playing drums since his childhood days, banging on whatever he could find, until his parents gave him his first drumset at age 14. A drummer from a very popular local band gave him his first lessons and immediately started rehearsing with his first band. A few years later Fernando had a healthy reputation among local musicians as a very young and prolific drummer and after studying graphic design went to the musicians institute in Hollywood, California. Back in Guatemala started playing Jazz and fusion gigs, sometimes organized by himself; co-founded the first academy exclusively for drummers in Guatemala called "Poliritmos", and co-founded Sapiens, and the rest is.........music. This is what Fernando has to say about himself: I enjoy playing in a creative musical environment, and really contribute in the development of a piece of music. Not limiting myself to just being a "clock" to the tune; I intend to project confident, solid and energetic playing, like many of the drummers who had influenced me; like John Bonham, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers and Steve Smith. As a young musician I remember listening to a lot of Rush, also, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath were among the bands I listened to in the early years; until I discovered jazz, and remember liking Buddy Rich, Sonny Payne and Louie Bellson playing a lot. Then started listening to the '70's fusion players (from time to time I still listen to some Frank Zappa tapes in my car). Contemporary jazz musicians like Chick Corea, Mike Stern, John Scofield are among my favorites.

His playing is very creative and technical, and his style reflects the wide range of music that has influenced him; beside the music activities, Jose Manuel also finds the time for his university degree, and is currently finishing his thesis in auditory while pursuing a master in international relations degree. This is what Jose has to say about himself: I like to focus on rhythmic patterns and locking with the drummer, keeping it simple with not too many notes; enhancing the harmony by playing phrases that will help a song to develop. I'm sort of a "less is more" kind of bass player, I'll slap or tap if necessary, and try to not overplay. The sound I like is something between round and dark, and the less processed the signal, the better, although it'll change a bit from song to song depending of the "feel" or "groove" of the song. I get my sound with a 5 string Modulus M-92 bass, the always-reliable "sansamp" and a swr amp; also from time to time I stomp some boss pedals like an octaver or a compressor, just in a few sections where the bass gets to stand out a bit. In my musical future I would like to expand in harmony studies, and continuing to develop tempo and groove. My favorite song on the record is "Busco" not only because it has a nice groove, but also I get to play very melodic.

	*Fernando Scheel* e-mail me!
Fernando had already a career of his own as a solo artist in our country, and some of his compositions had represented our country in Latin-American contests like O.T.I.; he has three CD's as a solo performer with producer credits on all of them and also on two others for different pop artists released in Guatemala and Mexico. (Oddly enough Fernando Martin and Manuel Garcia appeared on some of those recordings). This is what Fernando has to say about himself: I started playing the piano as a child, and took some basic lessons, then I started doing some early compositions on my own and played them at school. I was influenced by many of the new wave bands in the '80's, and by pop rock bands like Soda Stereo. I remember liking U2 and Depeche Mode a lot. Right now I'm more into an electronic, rave and trip dance mode, working with loops and samples with an E-mu sampler, an expanded Roland XP-80, and a Yamaha aNX1 synth. That gives me some tools to work from the producer point of view. With Sapiens is mostly the XP-80, but we're now incorporating samples in our live shows more, sometimes there are some sequences, and deal with them with a click that goes to the drummer through headphones.
	*Manuel Garcia* e-mail me!
(Meme, for his friends) besides recording with Fernando Scheel, and for other local artists, has producer credits on a record for a local artist. Studied classical guitar in his early teen years, then shifted to the electric after hearing Van Halen. Then studied with books and every publication guitar related that got in his hands. Jazz and fusion influences were also important, tutored by Berkley graduated musician German Giordano, were he learned the basics about improvising, harmony and sight-reading jazz standards. On a courious note, in 1998, there was a contest sponsored by a local radio station, in which the first prize consisted on a Van Halen peavey Wolfgang special guitar, autographed by the man himself. Now that guitar is part of Meme's guitar arsenal, which also includes an '80's Ibanez RG550DX, a Charvel CX model and a Carvin electro-acoustic. Meme runs his signal through a Boss GT-5 into a Yamaha 2x12 amp with custom speakers. This is what Meme had to say about himself: I have a lot of influences, and the more I broaden my musical spectrum, the more many musicians influence me. I started with rock though, I remember liking a lot of Van Halen, Ratt, Dokken and Motley Crue; then I discovered what at the time, and now are classics, like Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix and Cream; and discovered too that this musicians were influenced by the blues, since then, blues is an influence that has never went away, and something that has touched me deeply. Then I started listening to guitar oriented stuff, like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Steve Morse (with and without the Dregs), Yngwie Malmsteen and Tony McAlpine. That and UK, Rush and Yes, became my predilect listening for a long time. The learning experience with German Giordano, also made an impact on the way I perceived music. I got to know and like music from guys like Scott Henderson (alone or with chick Corea or Tribal Tech) Frank Gambale, Allan Holdsworth and Pat Metheny. Not that I can play like these guys, not at all, it's just that they made me realize how music can be a very exiting thing, when done creatively.
	visit my personal page here! Fernando Martin or e-mail me!
Fernando started playing drums since his childhood days, banging on whatever he could find, until his parents gave him his first drumset at age 14. A drummer from a very popular local band gave him his first lessons and immediately started rehearsing with his first band. A few years later Fernando had a healthy reputation among local musicians as a very young and prolific drummer and after studying graphic design went to the musicians institute in Hollywood, California. Back in Guatemala started playing Jazz and fusion gigs, sometimes organized by himself; co-founded the first academy exclusively for drummers in Guatemala called "Poliritmos", and co-founded Sapiens, and the rest is.........music. This is what Fernando has to say about himself: I enjoy playing in a creative musical environment, and really contribute in the development of a piece of music. Not limiting myself to just being a "clock" to the tune; I intend to project confident, solid and energetic playing, like many of the drummers who had influenced me; like John Bonham, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers and Steve Smith. As a young musician I remember listening to a lot of Rush, also, Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden and Black Sabbath were among the bands I listened to in the early years; until I discovered jazz, and remember liking Buddy Rich, Sonny Payne and Louie Bellson playing a lot. Then started listening to the '70's fusion players (from time to time I still listen to some Frank Zappa tapes in my car). Contemporary jazz musicians like Chick Corea, Mike Stern, John Scofield are among my favorites.
	*Jose Manuel Briz* e-mail me!
His playing is very creative and technical, and his style reflects the wide range of music that has influenced him; beside the music activities, Jose Manuel also finds the time for his university degree, and is currently finishing his thesis in auditory while pursuing a master in international relations degree. This is what Jose has to say about himself: I like to focus on rhythmic patterns and locking with the drummer, keeping it simple with not too many notes; enhancing the harmony by playing phrases that will help a song to develop. I'm sort of a "less is more" kind of bass player, I'll slap or tap if necessary, and try to not overplay. The sound I like is something between round and dark, and the less processed the signal, the better, although it'll change a bit from song to song depending of the "feel" or "groove" of the song. I get my sound with a 5 string Modulus M-92 bass, the always-reliable "sansamp" and a swr amp; also from time to time I stomp some boss pedals like an octaver or a compressor, just in a few sections where the bass gets to stand out a bit. In my musical future I would like to expand in harmony studies, and continuing to develop tempo and groove. My favorite song on the record is "Busco" not only because it has a nice groove, but also I get to play very melodic.