"The experience of being alongside artists who marked an era and a generation is indescribable."
Check out another text written by one of our WikiBrothers:
by Daniel Azevedo
From a very young age, I was always curious to discover what really happened backstage with some bands. Indeed, musicians are true performers when they step onto a stage and perform their songs, and this always intrigued me, as I wanted to know the more "personal" side of those artists.
Well then!
Last year, in 2012, I had the opportunity to experience one of the most interesting things in my life: at least for one night, being close to one of the pioneering heavy metal bands in Brazil: Viper. Perhaps, for the band, July 6th might have been just another day on their packed tour schedule, but for me, it was a source of great satisfaction and learning.
Viper was on a tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the album "Soldiers of Sunrise" (1987), passing through several states throughout Brazil, including Rio Grande do Norte. Since I live in the neighboring state (Paraíba), I didn't hesitate to attend the event. At the same time, I intended to go to Natal to see my whole family again, whom I hadn't seen for approximately nine years!
As soon as I arrived, I visited my great-uncle Jaime (the great "Baron of Tabatinga"!) and my cousins. Nothing was more pleasant than seeing them again after so long! In the afternoon, we received a call from Felipe (Machado, our cousin), who also wanted to see his family again.
In the afternoon, we picked him up at some shopping mall in the capital, and then we returned to my great-uncle's house. We were so excited about seeing each other again!
We talked all afternoon. Some boys were there, including more cousins (accompanied by friends and more friends!). We were even treated to a small demonstration!
After much discussion, we dropped our cousin off at the hotel. We hadn't even bought the tickets yet and didn't know the venue. Then, an unexpected invitation came from Felipe. Something like: "Go to the hotel tonight. From there, we'll go to the show together."
A few hours later, we were dropped off at the door of the hotel, located on Praia dos Artistas (Artists' Beach).
When I arrived, I immediately spotted two familiar faces: Pit Passarel (bassist) and Guilherme Martin (drummer). Being relatively shy, I struck up a conversation, and they were eager to continue it. The feeling was a little strange: On the way from João Pessoa to Natal, I had been listening to the album Evolution, really enjoying Pit's voice. And on the same day, he was there, chatting with me!
I know that for some people this may sound corny, but the experience of being alongside artists who marked an era and a generation is indescribable.
We got into the van (I went with my cousin from Natal). Hugo Mariutti (guitarist) arrived and greeted me, saying he remembered me. I had the opportunity to meet him in Recife in 2009, during a show by the band Andre Matos solo. I saw him again in 2011, and now I was there once more. I admire this guy's work immensely: without a doubt, one of the greatest guitarists in Brazil.
Finally we went out for a drive. I was with Viper inside a van (except for Andre Matos, who decided not to leave the hotel). Pit, sitting next to me, was fiddling with his iPhone and watching Ice Age. Hugo, sitting in the back seat, was quiet, seemingly taciturn.
Without knowing exactly where we were going, the van headed towards a Japanese restaurant called "Lotus". That's where we all sat together and talked. Pit and Felipe ordered sake, and Pit offered me some of his. Truly... Divine!
It was a relaxed moment, full of conversation and jokes. The guys in the band are funnier than you think (typical of any friendship that has lasted since childhood!) and the fraternal treatment between them was evident. The reality is that there's a friendship there that's, let's say, enviable!
In the end, they joined the restaurant staff (waiters, managers, etc.) and asked me to take a picture. Amazing! And the best part? The band wouldn't let me pay the bill, a gesture of humility that we don't even see among our closest friends anymore… And what can I say about one of the most influential bands of the 80s/90s in Brazil?
"All that childhood desire of mine to discover what went on behind the scenes, in the bands' dressing rooms, was finally coming true."
The show was about to start, and we went to pick up Andre from the hotel. He's another artist I've admired for a long time. A member of bands like Angra and Shaman, maestro Andre Matos is internationally recognized as one of the greatest voices in power metal, holding the title of "best vocalist" in several surveys conducted in Brazil and Japan, among other places.
Through the car window, I saw him cross the street. He seemed a little annoyed, perhaps because the show was late or something. When he got into the van, he looked at me and Felipe said, “Look, Andre, it’s my cousin Daniel.” Smiling, he shook my hand and greeted me politely. He had also recognized me from other shows, and we hadn’t talked since then, as he had sat in the front seat next to Pit. Analytically, I observed how Andre treated his bandmates and realized that they were truly friends. It’s not easy to find such a strong friendship these days.
During the ride, Andre was talking about movies (even saying that some of his songs are inspired by them). I asked Hugo about the new album by the Andre Matos solo band, and Felipe replied: "I've already listened to it! It's really cool!".
When we arrived at the venue, there was a huge crowd waiting for the band, along with several cameras and local journalists. That was the funniest part of the whole night: The venue didn't have a designated back entrance for the artists, so the band had to wade through the entire crowd!
Felipe warned us to keep going straight and not to talk, because since we were going to pass through more than 300 people, there was a risk that we wouldn't get in.
No sooner said than done: As we opened the van door, we got out with Guilherme Martin, Pit Passarel, and Felipe, and we made our way through the crowd (at this point, I grabbed the hands of two of my cousins and took them with us). Some people didn't understand what was happening and looked at us strangely, as if they were thinking: "Wait a minute, are those the guys from Viper?" (laughs!).
We finally arrived. Andre came later with Hugo, accompanied by the production crew. We went backstage and watched the entire pre-concert process. My childhood dream of discovering what happened behind the scenes, in the bands' dressing rooms, was finally coming true. We left backstage and went to an area next door, a kind of "smoking area." The band members frequently passed by and talked to us. I remember Andre was walking by and suddenly stopped.
"Are you Felipe's cousins?" he asked.
We confirmed.
"You look quite alike," he continued.
We took advantage of the situation to take a picture with him. All of that needed to be documented! Finally, the lights went out and the three bands that preceded Viper's show left. It was showtime.
We witnessed a band that respects its fans and treats those who recognize its work with humility.”
We were a bit lost because we wanted to see the show, and that wasn't possible backstage. If we went into the crowd, we wouldn't be able to get back. Then, a Japanese woman (Vera, the producer) saw us, and we told her about our problem. In an unexpected move, she said, "Come this way, you'll see the show from the stage!"
We followed the indicated path and there we were: All just inches away from the members of Viper, watching the band resurrect 80s classics and thrill a packed house of fans!
Before going up, we watched the show from where the musicians passed by. Every now and then they would leave the stage and we had to dodge them, as they would quickly descend towards the dressing room. During one song or another, Andre would leave the stage, take a sip of beer (Heineken) and come back. I remember there was a small staircase where they exited, and during the song "Wings of the Evil" (I think) he came running, tripped and almost took a nasty fall, worthy of a "video blooper reel". This happened because the venue had poor lighting, in addition to the vocalist's already known vision problems.
On another of these "downward journeys," Andre went to take another sip of his beer and couldn't find it. He looked everywhere, without success. Resigned, he returned to the stage. I don't know who drank that beer… (laughs)! The show went on and we watched everything up close.
The night was, without a doubt, spectacular. When it was all over, we were shocked: it was already dawn! Not because it was dawn, but because everything had passed so quickly. Without a doubt, when we are close to such pleasant people, time seems to fly. And that's the feeling I experienced that night of July 6th, 2012. I was with one of my favorite Brazilian bands and reunited with a cousin I hadn't seen in 3 years.
Finally, we know that some artists consider themselves true gods and walk "on eggshells." This is not the case with Viper. We witnessed a band that respects its fans and treats those who recognize their work with humility. I hope this account serves as an example for many bands that, despite having a legion of fans, do not recognize them as such.
Thanks, VIPER! See you at Rock in Rio!
I thank my cousin Nando Machado and congratulate him on his initiative to create "Wikimetal," contributing to the reunion of Viper and the expansion of Brazilian Heavy Metal.
Hugs!
*This text was written by a Wikimate and does not necessarily represent the opinions of the site's authors.
