On the radio plays La Casa de la Bomba, the tribute that Brighton 64 recorded in the 80s to Tom Wolfe's eponymous story about a band of surfers on the Californian coast. Just at that moment, very early in the morning, Germán Prieto enters the Bar ---taking advantage of his visit to his native Barcelona--- and smiles, perhaps thinking of the band that takes him back to his mod past, or perhaps to Wolfe's story and surfing, his great passion that led him "to stop going out at night at 28, and now I'm 40," and to distance him from the world of music, "because it overlapped with surfing and in the end I chose to wake up early and go to the sea."
These days he is in the midst of launching Si no queréis ratas dar de comer a los gatos. La historia oral del surfer catalán (Autografía), the first book to address the dense and fertile substratum of the surf scene in Catalonia, from 1968 to the present day.
"I am a man from Barcelona who no longer lives here. I grew up in the Les Corts and Sarrià neighborhood with weekends in Comarruga and holidays in Galicia. I studied Psychology and lived in Lisbon, Devon, Comarruga and Vigo. My passion is surfing for as long as I can remember, but I didn't start surfing daily until high school," he explains before ordering a Cacaolat.
--- Back in the day, you also played drums with various bands in Barcelona.
--- I was very involved in music and have played in many bands. The ones I've played gigs and recorded with have been Center Square, Born Losers, Lost Men Service, Los Mellors and Los Putos.
Among the musicians who have influenced him the most, he cites Francesc Gosalves, Blas Picón, Miquel de Los Miserables or Fermí de Biscuit. "In addition to the jazz drummers I saw when I attended jam sessions." For now, however, he has stopped playing: "I don't feel like it, I sold the drums. But you never know. I go, depending on where the wind blows, to one place or another."
Waves and family
"This year I became a father and I think it's the most important moment of my life," he suddenly announces, with a half-smile stained with cocoa drink.
--- Wow, what a change of pace, right?
--- Yes. Everything changes radically as soon as my daughter is born, although I am still the same. In the water I am less brave and, if I don't see it clearly because the sea is rough, I don't go in and turn back. That's something I didn't do before and, although I'm not a big wave surfer, there are very few times in my life that I haven't gone into the water out of fear. I would go in anyway.
Now he assures he approaches it differently "and if I don't feel like suffering and the sea is fat, well, I don't go in and that's that. Thanks to my wife and daughter, in part, these last few years I've seen that there are many things you can do to enjoy life besides waves." He sips his drink and warns: "Even so, I have plenty of rope left."
Now he assures he approaches it differently "and if I don't feel like suffering and the sea is fat, well, I don't go in and that's that"Currently, Prieto develops the logistical part for a surf school in Porto Novo, Galicia, which doesn't stop him from having studied his second master's degree in Psychology of the Elderly, "because, when I have the chance, I work in a residence."
Proud of "having been able to lead a life a little different from the established without ceasing to be part of society," Prieto feels like "giving advice to the kids of today, and that is to do what you really like in life and, if you don't know what it is, don't worry, it will come to you."
A city of a thousand personal historical facts
Disgusted with "the overcrowding of people, the loss of identity in many neighborhoods packed with tourists, the horrible traffic and air pollution, housing prices and the labor monopoly focused on tourism and nightlife, and insecurity and robberies," Prieto cannot, however, stop defining Barcelona as his point of origin.
Prieto cannot, however, stop defining Barcelona as his point of origin"I still like it, although it's a bit big for me now. Now I've gotten used to smaller towns. Basically, Barcelona is part of me. Memories and dreams that will remain in my head forever," and then he starts to remember: "A swellthat entered in 2008 and was on the cover of surf magazines. Epic waves in Barcelona. I remember that day perfectly.Also I remember my first time surfing in Barcelonetaa, in the mid-90s.I also remember celebrating some Barça victory in Canaletas. Playing in the Màgic or at the Les Corts festivals. Furthermore, the best concerts I have seen in my life have undoubtedly been in Barcelona. And, for me, those are historical facts."
--- Speaking of concerts, should I leave the radio on or is there something specific you want to listen to?
--- I only listen to Radio 3. I like it a lot and I learn a lot. I especially like El Sótano and many other programs on this station which, for me, has no rival.
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