Def Con Dos

Def Con Dos recently  touched down in Valencia to perform at the 16 Toneladas. A band more commonly known for headline festival slots and large venues - a night of music intensity was guaranteed in the snug surroundings of one of the best clubs in Valencia.

I might be a little biased, because the band have become friends of mine over the last couple of years - but you cannot ignore the fact that they are still one of Spains best Hip Hop / Rap Metal bands. Formed in 1988 by Cesar Strawberry (frontman of the band) they are Spains answer to the Beastie Boys - hard guitar riffs (Alberto Marin), looped samples, deep baselines (J. Al Andalusia) and funky hard drums (Kiki Tornado), fused with the voices of Cesar Strawberry, Sagan Ummo and Samuel Barranco make for an unforgettable sound. 

Their songs focus on Spanish folklaw, Pop culture, Politics, news and current affairs - often offensive, always complex with plenty of humour thrown in. Cesar spent two year in jail because of his views and words, a band which stands by its beliefs. 

So, back to the concert - tickets sold out months ago, 16 Toneladas was a heaving mass of partygoers, eagerly awaiting for the band to take the stage. When they did, the club erupted! 

The next 90 minutes flew by in a blur of back to back Def Con Dos classics with crowd surfing, beer spraying and hardcore partying at its finest! Mara Gilbert from Strawberry Hardcore made a guest appearance for “A.M.V” and “Ellas Denunciaron) “El Did De La Bestia” from the movie of the same title is always a crowd pleaser - in fact every song that the band played pleased the crowd! 

I hung out with band afterwards and what makes them special for me is that they are super nice, down to earth and genuinely cool people. There are no offstage ego’s in Def Con Dos - just a mutual respect for each other and a band I am proud to not only have photographed a lot, but one who have become friends.

words & photos: Rhyan Paul