Josep Manel Pugés dies at 66, a pioneering figure of punk and ska music in Barcelona

BarcelonaBefore becoming one of the founders of the iconic band Skatalà in 1985, Josep Manel Pugés—who has died at 66 as a result of a "serious illness," as announced by the band—played drums and guitar in various pioneering Barcelona punk bands. Since the late 70s, Pugés was linked to Clinic Humanoyds, Attak, Ruidos Molestos, and Shit S.A.

It was after closing his stage with Shit S.A. that Pugés teamed up with Pitu Moregó (vocals), Quique Gallart (vocals), Jordi Ramiro (bass), Roger Geli (drums), and Pep Castells (sax) to promote Skatalà, one of the first Catalan ska bands, a style originating from Jamaica and a precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Although they began performing in 1985, Skatalà did not record their first demo until 1987, Fent d'aquí, which ended up becoming the band's first iconic record in 1991. As the current members of Skatalà recall in the musician's farewell statement, Josep Manel Pugés composed the lyrics and music for one of the band's most popular tracks, Bolingas, and "played a very important role in the creation of other tracks from that demo such as Fem d'aquí, Intro, Killer, Suant la panxa, Boski, and an adaptation of Desmond Dekker in Embolingats".

Pugés was also "fundamental" in the composition of what would end up being the band's second album, Borinot borinot (1993). Skatalà recall their guitarist's role in the creation of tracks such as De Jamaica a Roma (via Budapest), Skandol dub, Reggae'n'ska, and Ranking roure. However, the musician left Skatalà before they recorded Borinot borinot, another key piece in the Barcelona band's discography, which was completed with Un de nou (1995), In concerto (1998), and Llunàtics (2005). "From the group, we want to wish many years of remembrance of Manel to all the people who knew and loved him, and especially to his family and friends in these very sad and painful moments," says the current lineup of Skatalà in the farewell statement.