Bandana and Mambru after Popstars: what was the bands’ career like and where are their members today?

Nostalgia and return invite us to look back at the way Bandana and Mambrú achieved fame and how they experienced their peak moment.

Popstars, the reality show that gave life to Bandana and Mambrú

Popstars was a music competition that was adapted to the international format to look for young talents and form a band from reality. The first edition was held in Argentina in 2001, where thousands of applicants gathered and it was broadcast on the Azul Televisión channel. In addition to being a talent show, it was a platform that mixed entertainment with the construction of pop idols.

In that first edition emerged Bandanaa female band that broke the mold and became the phenomenon of the moment.

In the second season which took place in 2002 and was broadcast on Telefe, the call was for men and there Mambrú was formed.

Bandana: records, theater, film and an unexpected ending

Bandana was an immediate commercial phenomenon. “Bandana”, The band’s debut album appeared on the market at the end of 2001 and achieved million-dollar sales because it was one of the best sellers at the time.

Then they released their second album. “Evening” and its success was resounding. The wigs they used on the album cover and their choreography were replicated in every show they gave.

It was from the third studio album, “Live trying”that the band began to lose its popularity. “See you always”released in 2004, was the album that ended Bandana.

Beyond the band’s recording success, they explored other formats, as they made a film based on his story and they were also able to make several Gran Rex and international tours.

In 2004 they announced their dissolution and in 2016 they made some partial returns. Some of the members, however, did not return or abandoned the project, which meant it was impossible to correctly restore the group’s original formation.

Mambru, the Argentine boyband

Mambru was born with great expectations like male counterpart of Popstars. The band’s first album came out in 2002 and had songs like “Sometimes” that fully established themselves in Argentine pop. The band was able to combine international tours with constant releases in their period of activity.

However, internal tensions shook the group. The departure of Milton Amadeo generated various versions. Some claimed that there were creative differences and others mentioned that there were personal and sentimental conflicts that were a kick-start in their departure.

Finally, In 2005 the band completely dissolved with the argument that each member wanted to explore their own musical path and be soloists.

Where are the members of Bandana and Mambru today?

After the failed return in 2016, Bandana performed without all of its original memberssince Ivonne Guzmán decided not to return and Virginia da Cunha left the project in 2017. Meanwhile, Valeria Gastaldi left in 2020.

Lissa Vera, Lourdes Fernández and Valeria Gastaldi maintained musical and artistic activity in various shows, collaborations and new releases. Meanwhile, Ivonne shines on stage with the cumbia band “La Delio Valdez”.

As to MambruGermán “Tripa” Tripel threw himself into musical theater and acting, participating in Rent, Soy Luna and Millennials, among other projects. Gerónimo Rauch, for his part, emigrated to European theater and starred in musicals such as Les Miserables and Jesus Christ Superstar.

Pablo Silberberg formed the band Inmigrantes with his brother and took his musical imprint towards rock/pop. Milton Amadeo returned to music with various concerts and solo compositions. And finally, Emanuel Ntaka released a solo album and later worked as a music producer.