Aqui d'el-rock
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1977 |
| Headquarters | Lisbon , Portugal |
| Products | Punk rock music, vinyl singles |
Aqui d'El-Rock emerged as a trailblazing punk rock ensemble from Bairro do Relógio in Lisbon, Portugal, established in 1977. They hold the distinction of being the first Portuguese punk group to release a vinyl record.
Biography
The original lineup comprised Zé Serra on drums, Fernando Gonçalves handling bass, Alfredo Pereira playing guitar, and Oscar Martins providing vocals and guitar. Transitioning from prior dance-oriented bands, Aqui d'El-Rock embraced the punk movement alongside the political upheaval of Portugal's 1974 revolution, crafting original rock compositions sung in Portuguese. Their inaugural concert took place on 29 April 1978 at Clube Atlético de Campo de Ourique in Lisbon.
Rapidly becoming a cornerstone of Portugal's nascent punk scene, they issued two vinyl singles in 1978 and 1979; the first prominently displayed the term "punk" on its cover. Their recordings were characterized by minimal budgets and self-crafted instruments, embodying the DIY spirit integral to punk ideology. Thematically, their lyrics tackled urban challenges such as unemployment and social exclusion through metaphorical and ironic expressions. Musically, they combined raw rock energy with straightforward arrangements, deliberately contrasting with the complex symphonic rock trends prevalent at the time.
Following their second single release in 1979, Aqui d'El-Rock shared stages with rising Portuguese punk acts like UHF, Os Faíscas, and Xutos & Pontapés. A highlight was their role as opening act for the British band Eddie & The Hot Rods at Lisbon’s Coliseu dos Recreios in July 1978. Their track "Há que violentar o sistema" became emblematic of their catalog and was among Portugal's earliest rock music videos.
After Alfredo Pereira exited in 1979, the band briefly incorporated Carlos Cabral (guitar), Carlos Gonçalves (vocals), and Alberto Barradas (guitar and backing vocals). They also supported international performers including Lene Lovich, Wilko Johnson & The Solid Senders, and Cheap Trick during concerts in Lisbon and Porto.
Although their active period was brief, Aqui d'El-Rock forged a significant repertoire in Portuguese and influenced later punk groups. Their songs were featured on revival compilations such as Grande Geração Rock (1997) and Killed By Death Vol. 41 (1998). In 2001, Brazilian band Ratos de Porão covered "Eu não sei," while Portuguese bands Eskizofrénicos and Speedtracks also adapted their material. Subsequent renditions appeared by Clockwork Boys in 2005 and Avô Varejeira in 2010.
To mark their 30th anniversary in 2007, Italian label Rave Up Records issued a limited red vinyl EP celebrating the band’s legacy.
The lyrics of "Há que violentar o sistema" were examined in the scholarly work As Palavras do Punk authored by Paula Guerra & Augusto Santos Silva (2016).
Between late 1981 and March 1982, the group adopted the name Mau-Mau and shifted stylistically toward new wave music, releasing a single featuring "Shanghai" and "Vietsoul" in 1982.
Concert inventory
- 29/04/1978 - Lisbon, Pavilhão CACO
- 06/05/1978 - Cacia
- 27/05/1978 - Barreiro, Casquilhos
- 03/06/1978 - Leiria
- 08/07/1978 - Lisbon, Coliseu (opening for Eddie & Hot Rods)
- 05/08/1978 - Faro, Estádio S. Luís
- 29/09/1978 - Condeixa-a-Nova
- 21/10/1978 - Covilhã
- 18/11/1978 - Lisbon, Brown's Club
- 24/11/1798 - Lisbon, Cine-Teatro da Encarnação
- 03/02/1979 - Águeda
- 10/02/1979 - Castelo Branco
- 17/02/1979 - Almada, Canecão
- 29/04/1979 - Tomar
- 05/05/1979 - Lisbon, Liceu D. Pedro V
- 12/05/1979 - Chaves
- 26/05/1979 - Coimbra, Olivais
- 23/02/1980 - Lisbon, Pav. Os Belenenses (opening for Wilko Johnson)
- 18/04/1980 - Paço de Arcos, Nautic School
- 25/04/1980 - Lisbon, Alameda da Universidade
- 17/05/1980 - Porto, Pav. Infante de Sagres (opening for Lene Lovich)
- 18/05/1980 - Cascais, Pav. of Dramático (opening for Lene Lovich)
- 06/06/1980 - Porto, Pav. Infante de Sagres (contracted for Uriah Heep but did not perform)
- 12/06/1980 - Lisbon, F.I.L.
- 13-14/11/1980 - Lisbon, Pav. Alvalade (opening for Cheap Trick)
- 14/11/1980 - Porto, Pav. Infante de Sagres (opening for Cheap Trick)
- 03/04/1981 - Caldas da Rainha
- 11-23/04/1981 - Lisbon, Clube Oriental de Lisboa and Rock Rendez-Vous
- 11/07/1981 - Glória do Ribatejo
- 18/12/1981 - Vila Franca de Xira (as Mau-Mau)
Recordings
- 09/06/1978 – Debut single: (Há Que Violentar o Sistema / Quero Tudo), produced at Arnaldo Trindade Studios, Lisbon
- 09/08/1978 – Broadcast of the music video for "Há Que Violentar o Sistema" on RTP
- ??/??/1979 – Follow-up single: (Eu Não Sei / Dedicada - A Quem Nos Rouba), recorded at Arnaldo Trindade Studios
- Dec 1981 – Jan 1982 – Single "Mau-Mau" including tracks "Xangai" and "Vietsoul"; sessions held at Arnaldo Trindade Studios
In June 2021, Zerowork Records re-released the first two seminal Portuguese punk singles as a single-sided 12” LP, accompanied by a fold-out poster illustrating the band’s history. This edition was issued in limited runs on red and black vinyl.
Additional Appearances
- 13/03/1982 – Participated in the commercial radio show "Febre de Sábado de Manhã" at Cinema Nimas, Lisbon
- 28/03/1982 – Featured on RTP's television program "Passeio dos Alegres," recorded at Lumiar Studios, Lisbon
- 18/10/2019 – The documentary Zé Pedro Rock'n'Roll, directed by Diogo Varela Silva, premiered at DocLisboa'19, showcasing songs such as "Há Que Violentar o Sistema" and "Quero Tudo." The film was released in theaters in July 2020
Discography
- Há que violentar o sistema / Quero Tudo (Single - Metrosom, 1978)
- Eu não sei / Dedicada (a quem nos rouba) (Single - Metrosom, 1979)
- Grande Geração do Rock (Compilation - Metrosom, 1997)
- Killed By Death Vol. 41 (LP Compilation - Redrum Records, 1998)
- Cover versions and re-recordings have been made by Brazilian group Ratos de Porão (2001), Portuguese bands Eskizofrénicos and Speedtracks, as well as Clockwork Boys (2005) and Avô Varejeira (2010).
- Brava Dança (2006) – Features the track Dedicada (a quem nos rouba) on the soundtrack of a documentary focusing on Heróis do Mar.
- Há que violentar o sistema / Quero Tudo / Eu não sei / Dedicada (a quem nos rouba) (EP, Rave Up Records, 2007) – Issued on red vinyl to commemorate the band’s 30th anniversary.
- On June 15, 2021, Zerowork Records reissued the initial two landmark Portuguese punk singles as a single-sided 12” LP with an included fold-out poster presenting band history, lyrics, photographs, and interviews. This release was limited to 150 copies on red vinyl and another 150 on black vinyl.
Related Publications
- As Palavras do Punk authored by Paula Guerra & Augusto Santos Silva (Alêtheia Editores, 2016)
- In-depth feature by Diogo Duarte published in "Jornal Mapa" issue #32 (Oct–Dec 2021)
- Fonoteca Municipal do Porto: Updated materials about Aqui d'el-Rock including Zerowork Records’ 2021 EP release