TNT (Brazilian band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Porto Alegre , Brazil |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
TNT was a rock band originating from Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Recognized as one of the pioneering rock ensembles from Rio Grande do Sul to gain widespread recognition across Brazil, they shared this achievement with their closely linked counterpart, Os Cascavelletes. Their repertoire includes notable tracks such as "Entra Nessa," "Estou na Mão," "Ana Banana," "Cachorro Louco," and "A Irmã do Dr. Robert."
History
Established in Porto Alegre in 1984 by longtime friends Flávio Basso, Charles Master, Felipe Jotz, and Márcio Petracco, TNT saw Petracco depart early on, with Nei Van Soria stepping in as his replacement. The group attracted attention in 1985 through their contribution to RCA Records' compilation Rock Grande do Sul, which showcased prominent rock acts from Rio Grande do Sul including Engenheiros do Hawaii, Os Replicantes, DeFalla, and Garotos da Rua. In 1986, creative disagreements with RCA prompted Basso and Van Soria to exit TNT and establish Os Cascavelletes.
Petracco rejoined the band in 1987, and alongside new guitarist Luís Felipe "Tchê" Gomes, they released their debut album, TNT. Several songs on this record were co-written by Master and Basso prior to the latter’s departure. The album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success, elevating the band’s profile nationwide. Their follow-up self-titled album arrived in 1988 and featured a guest appearance by Lulu Santos. After this release, drummer Felipe Jotz left the group and was succeeded by Paulo Arcari.
The 1991 release Noite Vem, Noite Vai marked a stylistic transition from their initial rockabilly influences toward a more conventional pop rock sound. By this time, keyboardist João Maldonado had joined the lineup. Following the album's release, Tchê Gomes parted ways with the band due to conflicts with Charles Master.
When Os Cascavelletes dissolved in 1992, Basso returned to TNT as lead vocalist in 1993 and recorded the single "Você Me Deixa Insano/Tá na Lona." However, he left once again in 1994 after creative disputes with Master, which led to TNT’s dissolution. Subsequently, Basso embarked on a solo career under the name Júpiter Maçã (later Jupiter Apple). Meanwhile, Márcio Petracco became a founding member of the country rock band Cowboys Espirituais in 1997.
In 2003, TNT reunited featuring Master, Petracco, Gomes, and new drummer Fábio Ly from Bandaliera. After touring and releasing a live album in 2004, Petracco departed once more. Operating as a trio, they produced their fourth and final studio album, Um por Todos ou Todos por Um, in 2005; this work earned a nomination for the Prêmio Açorianos that year. The band officially disbanded in 2007.
The following year, former members of both TNT and Os Cascavelletes came together to form Tenente Cascavel, a supergroup dedicated to honoring the legacies of both bands.
Former frontman Flávio Basso passed away on 21 December 2015 at age 47.
Current line-up
- Charles Master – lead vocals, bass (1984–1994; 2003–2007; 2024–present)
- Márcio Petracco – guitars, backing vocals (1984–1985; 1987–1994; 2003–2005; 2024–present)
- Luís Henrique "Tchê" Gomes – guitars, backing vocals (1987–1991; 2003–2007; 2024–present)
- Paulo Arcari – drums (1988–1994; 2024–present)
- Fábio Ly – drums (2003–2007; 2024–present)
- João Maldonado – keyboards (1991–1994; 2024–present)
Past members
- Flávio Basso – lead vocals (1984–1986; 1993–1994; passed away 2015)
- Nei Van Soria – guitar, backing vocals (1985–1986)
- Felipe Jotz – drums (1984–1988)
Timeline
Studio albums
- (1987) TNT I
- (1988) TNT II
- (1991) Noite Vem, Noite Vai
- (2005) Um por Todos ou Todos por Um
Live albums
- (2004) TNT ao Vivo