Joelho de Porco
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1972 in São Paulo, Brazil |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
| Products | Rock music |
Joelho de Porco (translated as "Pig's Knee" or "Ham hock") is a rock group from Brazil, established in 1972 in São Paulo. They are notable for their diverse musical style and their influential contribution to the emergence of Brazilian punk.[1]
Origins and formation
In 1965, a band named The Skeletons was created in São Paulo, which later became known as Os Abrasivos. This ensemble included Fábio Gasparini and Eduardo Zocchi on guitars, with Próspero Albanese handling the drums. Initially lacking a bassist, they performed instrumental rock until Gerson Tatini joined as the bass player.[2]
By the late 1960s, members such as Albanese, Gasparini, and Tatini became part of the group Mona, which also featured guitarist André Geraissati along with Albino, Pedro Infantozzi, João Paulo de Almeida, and Conrado Ruiz.[2][3]
In 1966, João Paulo de Almeida invited former Mona musicians to perform at Rio Branco School. This lineup featured Almeida on keyboards and vocals, Gasparini on guitar, Tatini on bass, Albanese on drums, and Celso playing accordion. The name "Joelho de Porco" was suggested by Gasparini after he tried Eisbein ("joelho de porco") at a German eatery and was ultimately chosen.[2]
By 1972, Joelho de Porco had established its definitive lineup: Tico Terpins (acoustic guitar and vocals; formerly of Os Baobás), Próspero Albanese (drums and vocals), Gerson Tatini (bass), Rodolfo Ayres Braga (bass and vocals; previously with Terreno Baldio and The Jet Blacks), Walter Baillot (lead guitar; ex-Provos e Século XX; who replaced Tatini following Braga’s recommendation), Conrado Ruiz (guitar, piano, vocals; ex-Mona), and Flavio Pimenta (drums and percussion).[2]
Debut single and São Paulo 1554/Hoje
In 1973, the group released the single "Se Você Vai de Xaxado, Eu Vou de Rock And Roll/Fly America," produced by former Mutantes member Arnaldo Baptista, who also contributed minimoog parts. Three years later, their first album São Paulo 1554/Hoje was launched. Due to budget restrictions, they recorded at Rogério Duprat's Vice-Versa studio in São Paulo during off-peak hours to minimize expenses.
Billy Bond's arrival and eponymous album
In 1976, vocalist Albanese departed to study law and was briefly replaced by Ricardo Petraglia, who performed only a handful of concerts. Soon after, Italian-Argentine singer Billy Bond joined as lead vocalist. Bond had previously been part of Billy Bond y La Pesada del Rock and Roll and worked as a producer for artists including Sui Generis, Pappo's Blues, and Ney Matogrosso. In 1978, the band recorded a self-titled album released by Som Livre and promoted by Rede Globo, but disbanded shortly after.
Reunion during the 1980s
In 1983, Terpins brought together Joelho de Porco again with Próspero Albanese and Zé Rodrix (formerly of Sá, Rodrix and Guarabyra), resulting in the double album Saqueando a Cidade, which featured a rock adaptation of "Funiculi, Funiculá." With vocalist and photographer David Drew Zingg, they participated in TV Globo's Festival dos Festivais in 1985 performing "A Última Voz do Brasil," reaching the finals and earning first place for lyrics. In 1988, they released 18 Anos Sem Sucesso, an album containing covers of American pre-rock pop tunes.
Conclusion of the group
The band maintained a semi-active status until 1998, when Terpins succumbed to a heart attack. Drew passed away in 2000 due to multiple organ failure, and Rodrix died in São Paulo at the age of 61 in 2009.
Studio albums
- São Paulo 1554/Hoje (1976)
- Joelho de Porco (1978)
- Saqueando a Cidade (1983)
- 18 Anos Sem Sucesso (1988)
Singles
- "Se Você Vai de Xaxado, Eu Vou de Rock'n'Roll"/"Fly America" (1973)
- "La lampara de Edison"/"Ruiseñor brasilero"/"Mexico lindo"/"Boeing 723897" (1977)
- "Outra Volta"/"O Rapé" (1978)
- "O Rapé"/"Feijão Com Arroz" (1978)
- "Supermen"/"Otravolta" (1979)
Additional recordings
- A Última Voz do Brasil, featured on the Festival dos Festivais compilation (1985)
- Подарок (O Presente), included in the album Бразилия – Страна Всех Красок (Brasil – País de Todas as Cores) released by CBS (catalog number 620116) (1986)