In the small town of Donostia, Spain, a group of friends gathered to form La Oreja de Van Gogh. The band consisted of Iñigo Nogales (vocals, guitar), Pablo Benavides (guitar), Álvaro Cano (bass), and Joaquín "Quimi" Portet (drums). They began playing local gigs and soon gained a loyal following. Their debut album, Trastienda (1996), was a DIY effort that showcased their raw talent.