João Gordo kicked off the tour promoting his newly released album, Brutal Brega . And that kick-off was a real "kick in the door," in true João Gordo style.
The project , conceived by producer Val Santos during the pandemic, is a fun tribute to "brega" music , with Brazilian music classics transformed into punk rock versions.
Yesterday's show, the 18th, took place at the Blue Note Brutal Brega 's participation in the lineup of the first edition of the Summer Breeze Brasil , which will take place in April 2023.
With an introduction reminiscent of other icons of kitsch music, such as the radio program Zé Betio , the band began their performance properly dressed in their fun outfits in a kind of crossover between Mamonas Assassinas and Mário Fofoca .
The opening song was also the project's first single, "Fuscão Preto" by Almir Rogério , and it immediately thrilled the packed Blue Note, with everyone singing along to the classic.
“When I was a kid in the 70s, I HATED Sidney Magal . I NEVER imagined that one day I would record his music and be on stage singing,” announced João Gordo before the band began their second song, the classic “Tenho” by Magal.
“This song is amazing” was the statement before “Ciganinha” that got the crowd going. And right after, before Carlos Alexandre ,” João Gordo made everyone burst into laughter by saying, “This song is IDENTICAL to Ciganinha.”
In “A Namorada Que Sonhei” (The Girlfriend I Dreamed Of), Gordo dedicated the song to his wife, “the love of my life,” and before “Pepino” (Cucumber), he stated that this is his favorite song on the album.
The vocalist even joked, asking Val Santos before playing "Amante Latino" and "Sandra Rosa Madalena": "THREE SONGS BY MAGAL?!?! THREE?!?! It can only be karma!"
In addition to other classics featured on the album such as "Domingo Feliz" and "Tô Doidão," the band presented new songs, already hinting at a possible continuation of the project.
"In 1975 there was a Globo soap opera, Saramandaia , and people called me Dona Redonda, which is the character who exploded in the last episode because she was so fat! I was pissed off..." João Gordo recounted, making everyone laugh again before the unreleased "Pavão Misterioso," which was the opening theme of the soap opera.
The group also performed 3 songs that are versions of MPB classics: “Morena Tropicana” by Alceu Valença , “Pombo Correio” by Moraes Moreira and “Trio Elétrico” by Caetano Veloso in an absurdly fast and heavy version.
The band, which featured Guilherme Martin ( VIPER , Toyshop ) on drums, was very well rehearsed and brought a heaviness that, curiously, makes the project appeal to lovers of classic brega music, as well as heavy metal, hardcore, and other rock genres.
On opening night, Brutal Brega proved to be a very fun and humorous project that left people leaving the Blue Note happy, lighthearted, and with smiles on their faces.
With this lineup, this setlist, these versions, and especially João Gordo's good humor, success is guaranteed and promises to continue with new songs already being presented.
The album is available on all digital platforms, and also on CD in major stores and online via Wikimetal Store .