Mark Kilpatrick and Gustavo Laureano met in Orlando, Florida where they studied sound engineering. After graduating they moved to Miami Beach and started working. They also began rehearsing in a local warehouse along with drummer John Lengel and guitarist Carlos Figueroa. They soon began writing and composing their songs and started playing at local clubs in Miami and Puerto Rico. It is during this time that artists like Ricky Martin and Ednita Nazario discovered them. In 1995, Martin recorded the song "Bombón de Azúcar" and in 1996, Nazario recorded "Ultima Vez", also written by Laureano. José Fernández Camilo became their manager and introduced them to producer Jorge Alvarez. Alvarez then introduced them to Andrés Levin, and La Secta Allstar signed a record deal with Fonovisa soon after. Their debut album, Aniquila, was released in 1997 producing four Top 40 hit singles: "Se Acabó", "Recompensa", "Nunca Jamás" and "Bombón de Azúcar". This album was re-released in 1999 under the title Bombón de Azúcar. The main difference is that the new album did not include the songs "Si Tú No Estás" and "Mar y Marea". These were in turn substituted by the Spanglish version of "Bombón de Azúcar" and a new track titled "Luna de Día". Bombón de Azúcar was again re-released in 2007 with the addition of "Mar y Marea" while "Si Tú No Estás" has not been rereleased. In January 2001, the band presented a sold-out concert at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan. After this and the success of this first album, the band released the follow-up titled La Secta Allstar in April 2001. This album was recorded and produced by the band itself. Four days after the release, the album had already sold 25,000 copies. The single "Dame Lo Que Quieras" peaked at local radio stations and won an ASCAP Award. In 2004, the band released a fourth album titled Túnel. The album won a Premio Lo Nuestro award in the category of Best Rock Album. Shortly after guitarist Carlos Figueroa left the band, and Mike Genao replaced him, and the band then released their fifth album, Consejo, with Universal Latino. Consejo is the most successful album from La Secta. The album was certified Gold and Platinum under the RIAA in only two months after its release. The mega hit "La Locura Automática", reached No. 1 in more than 13 countries. The album featured collaborations with many noted artists like Wilkins and reggaeton artists Wisin & Yandel. A remix of "La Locura Automática" can be found on 12 Discípulos, a reggaeton album produced by Eddie Dee, and on the Deluxe Edition of Consejo. Consejo was also nominated to a Grammy and a Premio Lo Nuestro award, and won a Billboard Award in the Best Rock/Alternative Band category. On its first month, the album sold 80,000 copies. After touring heavily for this album, the band decided to take a small break during which singer Gustavo Laureano released a solo project. In 2008, the band returned with their next album titled Fuego, which won the band a Premio Lo Nuestro in the Rock Album of The Year category, among other awards. The album was also nominated for a Grammy for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album that same year.
