The Brotherhood of Salsa

A band started from a band.

The Brotherhood of Salsa.

A group of three became four. A group of four became seven. Became an uncountable amount of close friends.

The Brotherhood began in 2001, formed by three college roommates: Adri, Taylor, and Louie. They lived in the same dormitory at the University of Minnesota, flaunting debauchery every which way. They even formed a version of Taylor's dream band, Citizens Banned, playing odd shows here and there.

I met Adri back in 2003, just starting college, and trying to dip my toes as much as possible into the U's theater department. He and I had the pleasure of performing The Laramie Project together in 2005, where we formed a friendship. He also let me in on some trade secrets: "My band is looking for a singer if you're interested."

Cue my entrance into the small band of brothers in late fall 2005. Together, we tried mercilessly to become a force to reckoned with in the music scene within the Twin Cities. Needless to say, the band fell apart, but our friendship outlasted the downfall of the Banned.



The moniker "Salsa" is derived from one fateful afternoon drive in 2005, where Adri thought it appropriate to yell "SALSA!!!" at an unsuspecting passerby whilst driving to a Banned practice. This became somewhat of a movement and symbol, prompting us take on the name Brotherhood of Salsa, even going so far as to create a sort of game, rules and all, for the Salsa Slaughterfest: Cars vs. Bikes vs. Pedestrians. It was the most fitting name for us, seeing as though Citizens Banned was more its own entity rather than an open armed group ready to welcome new members into its ranks.

The Banned moved in together summer 2007, Louie having bought a house in Northeast Minneapolis. It was originally intended to be a creative space, a space for the Banned to flesh out practices, write new material, record, etc. As previously stated, the Banned broke up. But there were other projects, of course.

Kristen and Marta joined in on the fun fall 2007, girlfriends for some of us lads, turning into more of a sisterhood to complement our brotherhood. Nicole was appropriated officially during this time as well, and so was our drummer Dave for a certain amount of time. With that, we set about having a number of projects and festivities using the house as a central HQ. For the next two years, we were a force to be reckoned with indeed. I was content in knowing that I had successfully gained the friendship and comradery of great people, soul mates, and true brothers/sisters.

Nicole had moved away in 2008. Now it is Louie's turn. He is moving to Washington DC. Tonight we celebrate the end of the true core bind that held the Brotherhood together, having one of the original brothers let go into the ether of future prospect.

I raise a glass to you, my Brothers. May our Brotherhood continue on evermore, despite the distance in between, as we each disembark to our various destinies . . .

Citizens Banned -- "A Place for my Sanity"