harmonies of memory: LOS BUNKERS

María Carolina Gómez Hernández 22/06/25

Los Bunkers is an alternative rock band from Concepción, Chile, formed in 1999 by brothers Álvaro and Gonzalo López, along with Mauricio and Francisco Durán, and Mauricio Basualto. Their name is inspired by the resistance and strength of war bunkers, which reflects their independent and firm musical spirit.

From their beginnings, Los Bunkers stood out for mixing classic rock with influences from the Nueva Canción Chilena, especially from artists such as Violeta Parra and Los Jaivas, which gave them a unique sound within the Latin American music scene.

Their eponymous debut album “Los Bunkers” was released in 2001 and attracted attention for its freshness and intense lyrics. The real leap to fame came with the albums “La Culpa” (2003) and “Vida de Perros” (2005), which included hits such as “Llueve sobre la ciudad” and “Ven aquí”. In these works, the group developed a more sophisticated and mature sound.

During the following years, the band grew in popularity both in Chile and Mexico, where they established themselves for several years and found a solid fan base. In 2010, they released the album “Música Libre”, a tribute to Silvio Rodríguez, where they reinterpreted songs by the Cuban singer-songwriter, which further expanded their recognition in Latin America.

Despite their success, in 2014 they announced an indefinite pause, which left many of their followers hoping for a comeback. This pause lasted almost 9 years.

Finally, Los Bunkers officially returned in 2023 with a reunion tour called “Ven Aquí Tour”, which was a resounding success and confirmed their relevance in the music scene. In 2024 they released “Noviembre”, their first studio album in a decade, reaffirming their place as one of the most influential rock bands in the Spanish-speaking world.

Outstanding discography:

Los Bunkers (2001)