Brazilian Rock - 1990s

1990s

The 1990s saw a resurgence in instrumental rock's popularity, and some of the classic bands from previous decades reformed. Surf music also became popular, especially The Argonauts, The Gasolines and Os Ostras. Hard rock had in 1993 a new representative in Brazil, Dr. Sin. Heavy metal had two debuts: in 1990 Torture Squad and in 1991 Angra - all of these are from São Paulo.

Also in this period, many other bands acquired widespread national projection, such as: Raimundos (which was formed in the late 1980s, but only released its first album in 1994) with its Forrocore style, Skank and O Rappa, both of which with a style that can be designated like a kind of reggae-rock, Pato Fu as the first indie band that arrived at mainstream, Charlie Brown Jr., with its alternative rock with rap and skate punk influences, and Mamonas Assassinas, who were a great hit with humour and rock but its members died in a tragic plane accident (1996). Also Jota Quest was a success since the first album, 1996, and they arrived with a powerful pop-rock-funk.

From the end of the 1980s to beginning of the 1990s names like Pelvs, Planet Hemp, Karnak, Walverdes, Relespública, Garage fuzz, Beach Lizards, Virna Lisi, Wry, Killing Chainsaw, Pin Ups (band), Second Come, Okotô, Brincando de Deus and Boi Mamão are prominent. This moment can be called the first Brazilian independent scene (or indie scene). It was time to Grunge and Britpop, the distorted colors, the development of hardcore, and a return to Punk. The independent festival Junta Tribo in Campinas in 1993 and 1994 and M2000, a beach festival in Santos (São Paulo), in 1994, were a milestone and became the independent attitude a new option.

The MTV Brasil Unplugged format brought back to the mainstream some bands whose career had been mainly consolidated in the 1980s, like the Titãs in 1996, Capital Inicial in 2000, Ira! in 2004 and Lobão in 2007.

In the beginning of 1990s there was the Manguebeat (or Mangue Bit) movement that put Recife definitively as one of principal places that has an important modern rock scene. Its style is a cross between the local rhythms, like Maracatu, and Rock, Hip hop and Electronic music . Coming from this movement are Chico Science & Nação Zumbi (which shortened their name to only Nação Zumbi following Science's death), Mundo Livre S/A, Fred 04, DJ Dolores, Stela Campos, Otto etc...

Kurt Cobain after his shows in Brazil with Nirvana (band) in 1993 helped spread the Brazilian rock in the world. David Byrne, Beck, Of Montreal, Devendra Banhart and others were influenced by the 1960s Tropicália and have divulged this musical style to the world. In the 1990s, Björk, Stereolab, Towa Tei, Amon Tobin and The High Llamas were approaching the Brazilian pop music increasingly.

Between final 1990s and beginning of 21st century are relevant: Los Hermanos that is a noteworthy reference to the independent bands. Cássia Eller, who recorded several songs of the Brazilian rock musicians with powerful vocal and suddenly died in 2001. Pitty, the rarity of being a woman bandleader (with the band of the same name), has typified her career with brave lyrics and uncommon vocals. Lobão (that in the 1980s was mainstream) started his independent career and is obtaining a brilliant result, and the singer of Sepultura, Max Cavalera, left the band and started Soulfly with the same powerful Heavy metal.

The important hardcore scene from Brasília continued in this period with Raimundos and Rumbora. In the highlight of Raimundos, Rodolfo Abrantes, the vocal, decided to go out and assembled a new band, Rodox, in 2002, but they continued with the typical creative explosion of hardcore into the end of the band, in 2004.

Some rock genres are very specific in Brazil, but with an important scene since the 90s like Grindcore, Psychobilly, Death Metal, Ska Punk, etc. Some highlights are: Tihuana, Sapo Banjo, Madame Machado, Rusty Machine, Kães Vadius and Sick Sick Sinners. There are several festivals about these genres in Brazil with an faithful fans in Brazil. Krisiun is an example of Death Metal band that is a hit of this genre abroad of Brazil: they toured extensively through North America, South America and Europe (recording their first official DVD while in Poland).