Charlie Brown Jr. (band)

Charlie Brown Jr.

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1992
Founder	Chorão
Defunct	2013
Headquarters	Santos , Brazil
Products	Rock music albums, live performances

Charlie Brown Jr. was a rock ensemble originating from Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, recognized for resonating with marginalized youth through lyrics addressing social issues and the integration of skate punk and hip hop vernacular. The group secured two Latin Grammy Awards and stood as one of Brazil's leading bands from the late 1990s through the mid-2000s.

The band's frontman, Chorão, struggled with drug addiction and interpersonal disputes that frequently eclipsed the group's achievements. He remained the only original member amid numerous personnel changes. After Chorão's fatal cocaine overdose on 6 March 2013, the band ceased activities.

In 2015, the streaming service Deezer ranked Charlie Brown Jr. as the second most-streamed Brazilian band worldwide. That same year, a Spotify study positioned them at number 31 among the 47 most popular Brazilian artists internationally.

Formation and Early Development

Shortly after relocating from São Paulo to Santos in 1987, Chorão established the group What's Up. A lineup revision in 1990 brought in twelve-year-old bassist Champignon, alongside Marcão, Renato Pelado, and Thiago Castanho. In 1992, Chorão rebranded the band as Charlie Brown Jr., inspired by an automobile accident depicted in a Peanuts comic strip and their self-identification as "children of rock."

Initially, both What's Up and Charlie Brown Jr. embraced a heavy sound influenced by crossover thrash and hardcore punk, performing primarily in English. Chorão drew musical influence from bands such as Blink-182, Sublime, and Bad Brains. Early obstacles included borrowing instruments and securing performance permits for underage members.

Their debut demo tape, Charlie Brown Jr., was recorded in 1995 through funds raised by pawning personal belongings. The demo attracted favorable attention within underground circles, prompting bassist Champignon to present it to producer Tadeu Patolla. Patolla recommended that Chorão adopt Portuguese lyrics and incorporate elements from genres like hip hop, reggae, and ska, inspired by acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rage Against the Machine. Patolla facilitated an introduction to producer Rick Bonadio, leading to a contract with Virgin Records, which released their first album, Transpiração Contínua Prolongada, in 1997.

Early in 1999, the band issued the promotional EP Aquele Luxo! ahead of their album Preço Curto... Prazo Longo, which launched on 6 March 1999 featuring 25 tracks—their lengthiest record to date. Chorão explained that this extensive recording was driven by a lack of sufficient original material for live performances. The lead single, "Zóio de Lula", released on 1 April 1999, became their inaugural number-one hit on Brazilian radio stations. The accompanying music video showcased then-19-year-old model Luize Altenhofen.

The 2000s Era

In November 2000, Charlie Brown Jr. released their third studio album, Nadando com os Tubarões. This record included collaborations with rap group RZO, led by rapper Sabotage, and vocalist Negra Li, who co-authored the successful track "Não É Sério". The album received a nomination for the Latin Grammy Award for Best Portuguese Language Rock or Alternative Album in 2001. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Thiago Castanho exited due to dissatisfaction with the demanding touring schedule.

Their fourth album, Abalando a Sua Fábrica, arrived on 1 November 2001 via EMI. This release marked their initial effort as a quartet and represented a stylistic shift from rap rock toward a more unrefined punk and garage rock sound achieved by recording all instruments simultaneously.

In 2002, Charlie Brown Jr. launched their first live DVD, Charlie Brown Jr. ao Vivo, filmed at São Paulo's DirecTV Music Hall and later broadcast through DirecTV. The band embarked on international tours including Portugal; criticism encountered there inspired the title of their subsequent album, Bocas Ordinárias. This album received critical acclaim and garnered another Latin Grammy nomination in 2003. Chorão dedicated this work to the late singer Cássia Eller.

The following year, they recorded an episode of Acústico MTV, Brazil’s adaptation of MTV Unplugged, featuring guest appearances by artists such as Marcelo D2, Marcelo Nova, RZO, and Negra Li. This performance was subsequently released on both CD and DVD formats.

Their sixth studio project, Tamo Aí na Atividade (December 2004), earned a Latin Grammy Award in 2005 but was overshadowed by internal strife. By early 2005, bassist Champignon, guitarist Marcão, and drummer Renato Pelado had left the group, prompting Chorão to announce an indefinite break.

Charlie Brown Jr. returned with new members including bassist Heitor Gomes, drummer/beatboxer Pinguim Ruas, alongside returning founder Thiago Castanho. Their album Imunidade Musical featured rapper Rappin' Hood and received a Latin Grammy nomination in 2006. Additionally, they released the DVD Skate Vibration, recorded during the inauguration of Chorão's Skate Park.

In 2007, they presented Ritmo, Ritual e Responsa, incorporating guest contributions from artists like MV Bill, João Gordo, Paranormal Attack, and Forfun. This album earned a Latin Grammy nomination in 2008 and served as part one of the soundtrack for the film O Magnata, which Chorão wrote and co-produced; he also appeared alongside bandmates in the movie. The film achieved moderate box office success but received mixed critical reviews.

To support this release, they distributed the live performance DVD Ritmo, Ritual e Responsa ao Vivo in 2008. By this time, Pinguim had departed due to contract expiration and was replaced by drummer Bruno Graveto.

2010s

Charlie Brown Jr.'s ninth studio album, Camisa 10 Joga Bola Até na Chuva, earned the Latin Grammy Award in 2010. This record marked the last participation of Heitor Gomes, who departed in 2011 to become part of CPM 22. The track "Só os Loucos Sabem" stood out as one of the band's most successful charting singles. Notably, Chorão had originally composed "O Dom, a Inteligência e a Voz" for Cássia Eller back in 2001; however, her untimely death prevented her from recording it.

In that same year, the group created the opening theme for the variety program Legendários, hosted by Marcos Mion on RecordTV. By 2011, Chorão announced the return of Marcão and Champignon to the lineup. Their initial release with this formation was Música Popular Caiçara, which came out on CD, DVD, and Blu-ray, capturing live performances from Curitiba and Santos. The production was handled by Liminha, with direction by KondZilla. The CD was issued in two installments: the first alongside the DVD and Blu-ray, followed by a second volume released in 2016.

Chorão's struggles with substance dependency by 2011 began to impact both his health and personal relationships, culminating in his divorce from Graziela "Grazon" Gonçalves. The song "Céu Azul", featured on the band's 2012 album Música Popular Caiçara, was inspired by their separation.

The band commenced work on a new studio album titled La Familia 013 in 2012. Its lead single, "Meu Novo Mundo", debuted in February 2013. Tragically, Chorão passed away on 6 March due to a cocaine overdose, leaving the album incomplete. After a pause, the remaining members finished the instrumental components and unveiled the album artwork on 7 July 2013. The album La Familia 013 was officially released on 8 October 2013 and garnered the band's fifth nomination for a Latin Grammy in 2014.

After Charlie Brown Jr.

Following his departure from Charlie Brown Jr., Champignon established the band Revolucionnários. After its dissolution, he became part of the supergroup Nove Mil Anjos, which included artists such as Junior Lima and Peu Sousa. Meanwhile, Marcão went on to form the band TH6, and Renato Pelado transitioned into a DJ career.

In tribute to Chorão and Charlie Brown Jr., the remaining members formed A Banca after Chorão's death. In August, they released the single "O Novo Passo", which was acclaimed by Rolling Stone Brasil as one of Brazil's top songs that year. Nevertheless, some fans accused Champignon of exploiting Chorão’s passing for financial gain, branding him with terms like "cash-grabber" and "Judas." Despite his rebuttals, this criticism contributed to his depression. On 9 September 2013, Champignon died by suicide.

Except for Thiago Castanho, former A Banca members later regrouped under the name Bula and also created D'Chapas to pursue new musical endeavors.

Reunions

In January 2019, Marcão Britto, Heitor Gomes, and Pinguim Ruas reunited Charlie Brown Jr. for a series of concerts featuring guest vocalists including Dinho Ouro Preto from Capital Inicial, Di Ferrero of NX Zero, Digão of Raimundos, and Supla. Although Chorão's son Alexandre gave his consent for this reunion, it received criticism from Chorão's former wife Graziela Gonçalves, ex-guitarist Thiago Castanho, and music critic Mauro Ferreira from G1.

On 1 February 2021, Alexandre announced a reformation of the band for the Chorão 50 Tour across Brazil in honor of what would have been his father's fiftieth birthday. This lineup saw Thiago Castanho returning as guitarist and included most former Charlie Brown Jr. members except original drummer Renato Pelado; former vocalist Egypcio from Tihuana took on frontman duties. However, on 25 October 2021, Marcão and Castanho withdrew from the tour due to creative disagreements with Alexandre.

Legacy

On April 13, 2014, Alexandre, Chorão's son, organized the Tamo Aí na Atividade Festival in São Bernardo do Campo to pay tribute to Charlie Brown Jr.'s enduring influence as well as commemorate the passing of Chorão and Champignon. This event coincided with the 22nd anniversary of the band's inaugural live show. Although there were plans to release a DVD of the festival, it ultimately never came to fruition due to "bureaucratic issues."

The biographical musical Dias de Luta, Dias de Glória, penned by Well Rianc and directed by Bruno and Luiz Sorrentino, debuted on March 29, 2015. Rapper DZ6 took on the role of Chorão in this production. While critics generally responded positively, Chorão’s brother, Ricardo Abrão, publicly denounced the musical as "disrespectful" and "inaccurate."

In 2017, Alexandre published Eu Estava Lá Também, a collection featuring his father's photographs alongside personal memories spanning from 2005 to 2012. Three years later, in 2020, he disclosed commissioning a diamond crafted from a lock of Chorão's hair. Additionally, Chorão’s former wife Graziela Gonçalves released her memoirs titled Se Não Eu, Quem Vai Fazer Você Feliz? in 2018.

Universal Music Group celebrated the 20th anniversary of Charlie Brown Jr.’s debut album by reissuing Transpiração Contínua Prolongada in a deluxe edition in 2017. In April 2019, to honor both Chorão’s 49th birthday and two decades since the release of the single "Zóio de Lula," UMG launched a special edition featuring the original track alongside a new cover version performed by Marcelo D2, Hungria Hip Hop, Nação Zumbi, and Maneva.

The band's song "Confisco" was featured in the video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1 + 2 in 2020. On March 15, 2021, Alexandre secured an agreement with Sony Music to publish a compilation album comprising unreleased tracks and rarities. Subsequently, on July 13, 2021, the live album and DVD Chegou Quem Faltava, recorded during a São Paulo concert in 2011, was released.

Universal Music announced on April 11, 2023, a greatest hits collection to mark ten years since Chorão’s passing. Later that year, on July 17, UMG issued a deluxe box set titled Charlie Brown Jr., which includes the band’s full studio catalog along with their video album Ritmo, Ritual e Responsa ao Vivo, presented on CD for the first time.

Films

Following Chorão’s death in 2013, producers Felipe Elias, Victor Santini Stockler, and Roberta Franco launched a crowdfunding initiative on Catarse to fund the documentary Marginal Alado. The campaign exceeded its target by raising R$41,513.00 against a goal of R$35,000.00. Directed by Felipe Novaes, this documentary premiered at various Brazilian film festivals in 2019. Its planned theatrical debut was delayed from 2020 until April 8, 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2017, filmmaker Gabriel Mellin announced plans for a biographical film about Champignon entitled Champ, co-written alongside Champignon’s widow Claudia Bossle. On September 4, 2020, actor José Loreto publicly expressed interest in portraying Chorão in an upcoming biopic project.

Final lineup

• Chorão – lead vocals
• Marcão Britto – guitar
• Thiago Castanho – guitar
• Champignon – bass guitar
• Bruno Graveto – drums

Previous members

• Heitor Gomes – bass guitar
• Renato Pelado – drums
• Pinguim Ruas – drums

Timeline

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Colors =

id:vocals  value:red       legend:Lead_Vocals
id:guitars value:green     legend:Guitarists
id:bass    value:blue      legend:Bassists
id:drums   value:orange    legend:Drummers
id:lines   value:black     legend:Studio_Albums

Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:1992 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1992

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at:06/16/1997 color:black layer:back
at:03/06/1999 color:black layer:back
at:11/03/2000 color:black layer:back
at:11/01/2001 color:black layer:back
at:12/20/2002 color:black layer:back
at:12/04/2004 color:black layer:back
at:08/23/2005 color:black layer:back
at:11/15/2007 color:black layer:back
at:09/26/2009 color:black layer:back
at:10/08/2013 color:black layer:back

BarData =

bar:Chorão     text:"Chorão"
bar:Marcão     text:"Marcão Britto"
bar:Thiago     text:"Thiago Castanho"
bar:Champignon text:"Champignon"
bar:Heitor     text:"Heitor Gomes"
bar:Pelado     text:"Renato Pelado"
bar:Pinguim    text:"Pinguim Ruas"
bar:Graveto    text:"Bruno Graveto"

PlotData=

width:11
bar:Chorão     from:start      till:03/06/2013 color:vocals
bar:Marcão     from:start      till:02/01/2005 color:guitars
bar:Marcão     from:06/01/2011 till:03/06/2013 color:guitars
bar:Thiago     from:start      till:06/01/2001 color:guitars
bar:Thiago     from:02/01/2005 till:03/06/2013 color:guitars
bar:Champignon from:start      till:02/01/2005 color:bass
bar:Champignon from:06/01/2011 till:03/06/2013 color:bass
bar:Heitor     from:02/01/2005 till:06/01/2011 color:bass
bar:Pelado     from:start      till:02/01/2005 color:drums
bar:Pinguim    from:02/01/2005 till:04/01/2008 color:drums
bar:Graveto    from:04/01/2008 till:03/06/2013 color:drums

</timeline>

External links

• Official website