Patife Band
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 in São Paulo, Brazil |
| Founder | Paulo Barnabé |
| Headquarters | São Paulo , Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
| Website | https://www.facebook.com/patife.band |
Patife Band (with "patife" translating to "stooge" or "knucklehead" in Portuguese) is a post-punk group originating from São Paulo, Brazil, established in 1983 by Paulo Barnabé under the initial name Paulo Patife Band. They hold a significant place within the "Vanguarda Paulistana" artistic movement. Their avant-garde approach fuses elements of dodecaphonism and atonality while integrating diverse genres including jazz, punk rock, traditional Brazilian music, and popular music. Critics have likened their sound to the American band Pere Ubu, characterizing it as a blend reminiscent of King Crimson and Fear.
The ensemble ceased activities in 1990 but briefly reunited in 2003 with a revamped roster, issuing a live recording. Another revival occurred in 2005 featuring a different lineup, leading to occasional performances primarily in São Paulo. A further personnel shift took place in 2015.
History
Drawing inspiration from Itamar Assumpção, Patife Band was formed in São Paulo in 1983 by Paulo Barnabé (who is the sibling of musician Arrigo Barnabé), alongside André Fonseca (later associated with experimental rock group Okotô and synthpop band Metrô), Sidney Giovenazzi, and James Muller. After one year, Muller departed and was succeeded by Cidão Trindade. That same year, the band abbreviated its name to Patife Band.
In 1985, they launched their first self-titled EP through the independent label Lira Paulistana Records, which included tracks such as "Tijolinho" (a cover of a song by Bobby di Carlo), "Tô Tenso" (which was subsequently covered by Ratos de Porão), and an interpretation of "Silent Night." The following year, "Pregador Maldito" along with an early version of "Poema em Linha Reta" were featured on the soundtrack for the film Cidade Oculta, starring Arrigo Barnabé.
Their only studio album, Corredor Polonês (1987, WEA), contains compositions like "Poema em Linha Reta," which sets to music a poem by Portuguese writer Fernando Pessoa, as well as "Vida de Operário" (a cover of an Excomungados track), "Teu Bem," and the album's title song. The latter two gained additional prominence through covers by artists such as Cássia Eller and Ratos de Porão. Following a tour supporting this release, the group disbanded in 1990.
After a 13-year break, Patife Band reassembled in 2003 with Maurício Biazzi replacing bassist Sidney Giovenazzi and Eduardo Batistela taking over drums from Cidão Trindade. They performed at Festival Demo Sound in Londrina, Paraná, issuing a live album titled Ao Vivo that year, which was made available on their official Myspace page.
The reunion in 2005 brought about another lineup change; since then, the band has appeared intermittently on stage. In early 2015, guitarist André Fonseca left and was succeeded by Fábio Gouvêa; meanwhile, Paulo Mello (who had contributed as a session musician on Corredor Polonês) and Paulo Braga joined the group. Currently, they are working on recording a new single.
Two tracks by Patife Band were included on the 2005 compilation The Sexual Life of the Savages, released by British label Soul Jazz Records, which featured a photograph of Paulo Barnabé on its cover.
Studio albums
- Corredor Polonês (1987)
Extended plays
- Patife Band (1985)
Live recordings
- Ao Vivo (2003)
Compilation albums
- The Sexual Life of the Savages (2005) – included the songs "Teu Bem" and "Poema em Linha Reta".
Present lineup
- Paulo Barnabé – lead vocals, percussion (1983–1990, 2003, 2005–present)
- Richard Firmino – alto saxophone (since 2005)
- Paulo Braga – keyboardist (since 2015)
- Matheus Leston – synthesizer (since 2005)
- Gustavo Boni – bass guitar (since 2005)
- Paulo Mello – drummer (since 2015)
- Fábio Gouvêa – guitarist (since 2015)
Past members
- Sidney Giovenazzi – bass guitar (1983–1990)
- Maurício Biazzi – bass guitar (2003)
- James Muller – drums (1983–1984)
- Cidão Trindade – drums (1984–1990)
- Eduardo Batistela – drums (2003)
- André Fonseca – guitar (1983–1990, 2003, 2005–2015)