Fellini (band)
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Founder | Cadão Volpato, Jair Marcos, Ricardo Salvagni, Thomas Pappon |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Fellini was a rock group originating from São Paulo, Brazil, established in 1984 by Cadão Volpato (vocals, harmonica), Jair Marcos (guitar), Ricardo Salvagni (drums and percussion), and Thomas Pappon (bass), who previously played with Voluntários da Pátria and Smack. The band gained a dedicated cult audience within Brazil’s underground music community. Initially rooted in a straightforward post-punk sound inspired by bands such as Joy Division, The Stranglers, and The Durutti Column, Fellini later developed a distinctive fusion incorporating elements of post-punk, MPB, new wave, and samba rock.
After disbanding in 1990, the group reunited in 2002 and remained active until 2010, with a brief comeback announced in 2016.
History
Formed in 1984 by Cadão Volpato, Thomas Pappon, and Celso Pucci (Minho K.), Fellini soon welcomed Jair Marcos and Ricardo Salvagni into the lineup. The band’s name, chosen by Pappon, was meant to be unique and playful, drawing inspiration from The Stranglers’ album Feline, one of their major influences alongside Joy Division and The Durutti Column. Their first live show occurred at Bar Albergue in the Bixiga neighborhood. Following Pucci’s exit due to personal reasons, he went on to create the band 3 Hombres with Jair Marcos. Pucci died in 2002 from oral cancer.
In late 1984, Fellini secured a contract with the independent label Baratos Afins and released their debut album O Adeus de Fellini in 1985, which included underground favorites like "Rock Europeu" and "Funziona Senza Vapore." They followed up with Fellini Só Vive 2 Vezes (1986), 3 Lugares Diferentes (1987)—which Volpato regards as their best work—and Amor Louco (1990). That same year, the band dissolved as Volpato chose to pursue intellectual interests while Pappon moved to Europe to form The Gilbertos with his wife Karla.
In 1992, Volpato formed Funziona Senza Vapore alongside original members Jair Marcos and Ricardo Salvagni, substituting Pappon with Stela Campos. This group recorded a self-titled album that was released only in 2002.
Following a twelve-year break, Fellini returned in 2002 with the album Amanhã É Tarde. They appeared at the TIM Festival in 2003, sharing the stage with artists such as Beth Gibbons and Los Hermanos. In 2010, they released Você Nem Imagina, a collection of re-recorded songs, before disbanding once again.
In 2015, Volpato and Pappon collaborated as the experimental rock duo Pappon & Volpato.
The band announced a final reunion in 2016 featuring the original members plus drummer Lauro Lellis to perform Amor Louco live throughout São Paulo venues. According to Volpato, this would mark their concluding reunion with no plans for future shows.
Studio albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 1985 | O Adeus de Fellini
|
| 1986 | Fellini Só Vive 2 Vezes
|
| 1987 | 3 Lugares Diferentes
|
| 1990 | Amor Louco
|
| 2002 | Amanhã É Tarde
|
| 2010 | Você Nem Imagina
|
Compilation
- Sanguinho Novo... Arnaldo Baptista Revisitado (1989) – included the track "Cê Tá Pensando que Eu Sou Lóki?"
- The Sexual Life of the Savages (2005) – contained the songs "Zum Zum Zum Zazoeira" and "Rock Europeu"
- Não Wave (2005) – featured the pieces "Funziona Senza Vapore" and "Teu Inglês"
- Você Nem Imagina (2010)
Singles
- Pânico / Rock Europeu (split single alongside Mercenárias, 2005)
Unreleased songs
- "Milho" (translated as "Corn")
- "Mosca" (translated as "Fly")
Trivia
The Mangue Bit group Nação Zumbi, fronted by the late Chico Science, recorded a cover of "Criança de Domingo" from Funziona Senza Vapore for the reissued CD of their 1996 album Afrociberdelia. Chico Science was known to be an admirer of Fellini.