Portugal 80s Metal

BICO D`OBRA

Group formed around 1978, composed by Armando Jorge Caetano vocals/ bass, José Arromba guitar, Arnaldo Nolas Ribeiro keyboards and Filipe Fininho Lopes (R.I.P. 08.2001) drums.They would release the 7" singles, "A Rasgar é c´a Gente s´Entende/ Não és Nada" around 1981 throught the Roda Rock, a small label from Porto, subsidiary of J.C. Donas and linked to the group Valentim De Carvalho. They participated in the Grande Maratona do Rock Português (Great Marathon of the Portuguese Rock), along with Xeque Mate, Jarojupe, NZZN, TNT among many others. The 3 days marathon was organized by the former newspaper Musicalíssimo, between December 18th and 20th 1981 at the Pavilhão do Cevadeiro in Vila Franca De Xira.

In 1982 with the entry of a new guitarrist Chico Martins they would released another 7" single, "Portugal/ Os Fora Da Lei". In the same year an LP would be briefly foreseen, but there was really difficulty for all band members to move to Lisbon where everything worked, since we all had other professions. The band played at the extinct Rock Rendez Vous venue.

DISCOGRAPHY

MEMORABILIA

advert Grande Maratona do Rock Português, December 1981

advert

JOKER

Ex-Bar California from Cascais, formed in the summer of 1990 by vocalist Tiago Gardner and keyboardist José Tavares. To them join Eduardo Pereira drums, Hugo Granger bass and Paulo Pereira guitar. In September of the same year, the 5 members would play live for the first time as Joker, at their home town. In December, after several concerts, the band enters the Tcha Tcha Tcha studios to record their first demo tape, which included 3 tracks: "Little Suzie", "Bitten By The Snake" and "Burning With Desire". At the beginning of 1991 drummer Eduardo leave the band and Bruno Ganger (Hugo´s brother) replaces him. Between April and July, Joker performs live eight times, between Lisbon and Cascais. The first contacts with management and the Polygram label started in April 1991. Luís Páscoa (ex-Inox) replaces Bruno Ganger on drums, and the band records another demo tape, with 5 songs. In November 1992 their first full lenght is released, "Ecstasy". Around November 6th 1992, Joker opens for US band Extreme and UK group Thunder, at the Dramático Pavilion in Cascais. The song "Easy Come And Go" reaches the national Top and the double side 12"EP "Easy Come And Go" is released. In 1993 the band continues to play live all over the country, in some discos like the News in Cascais, Alcântara-Mar (Lisbon), as well venues like Armazén 22, also in Lisbon and Pavilhão do Infante Sagres in Porto. The band leaves their Hard Rock roots to follow a more groove and mature sound, on their 2nd album "Egg Nightmare", released in 1994. After the contract with Polygram the band disappeared.

DISCOGRAPHY

cd/ lp "Ecstasy" ©11.1992 Polygram Discos

(released only on vinyl)

VIDEO

"Easy Come And Go" official clip

MEMORABILIA

ticket November 6th 1992, opening for Extreme

ticket February 26th 1993

THE COVEN

Band from Amora, Seixal, formed in August of 1987 by guitarrist Tozé and Sérgio Duarte on vocals. In September Jorge “Baquetes” joins the band as a drummer and they started rehearsing as a trio. Later joins as second guitarist João Matos who had already played with the drummer in a previous project. A 2 track demo tape is recorded in December 1987, with the songs "Darkness" and "The Madman (Get Out of My Way)". Already in 1988 Eduardo “Osga” completes the line up as a bassist. Their live debut happens in July 7th 1988 at the Secundary School of Amora, integrated in the 2nd music contest of the school, but they only play one song due to very bad sound quality. In August ´88 in order to celebrate their first anniversary they give a concert in their rehearsal room for 100 people. Was around this time that Dionisio Duarte became the band's manager. A few weeks later they played with Thormenthor, Braindead and Procyon at a festival in Fogueteiro. On January 1989 the band enter the Midi studios to record their first demo tape. During 7 nights they recorded with the production of Manuel Cardoso 6 songs that would be released in the form of tape with the name "Into The Future". For the promotion of the demo, along with Alkateya, organize a mini tour titled "Tour of The Future", that gave them the opportunity to make a series of concerts across the country. On September 16th 1989 they played in Fogueteiro, with Ramp and Mortifera. In October the band celebrate their 2nd anniversary performing in Seixal before 500 enthusiastic headbangers. At the end of 1989, all their dedication and hard work were rewarded, by being elected the 3rd best national Heavy Metal band. The song "Into The Future" was voted best of the year, while "Watch Out" also got the 4th place. Already in 1990 the singer Sérgio Duarte leaves the band to pursue a solo project. In July 9th 1990 they played along with Tarantula in Amora, with a new lead singer, Victor Matos (guitarist João Matos brother). Soon after the band split.

DISCOGRAPHY