Biography

Influenced by the precursors of Brazilian rock, Raul Seixas, and British punk bands like the Sex Pistols, the Clash and the Buzzcocks, Marcelo Nova, a DJ at Rádio Aratu FM (Salvador, BA), rounded up guitarists Karl Hummel and Gustavo Müllen, bassist Robério Santana, and drummer Aldo Machado to form Camisa de Vênus in late 1980. In the next year, Hummel departed for a period in Europe, and the band preferred to wait for him rather than replace him. In March 1982, the band really began their activities, recording a single five months later, "Meu Primo Zé," which scored a hit in Rio/São Paulo. Soon, they were recording their first LP for Som Livre, Camisa de Vênus. Released in October 1983, the album had good repercussions; but their record company complained about the group's aggressiveness, trying to change their name. The band abandoned Som Livre and departed for two years on the road without a label behind them. In late 1985, Camisa de Vênus signed with RGE, who reissued Camisa de Vênus and released the band's second LP, Batalhão de Estranhos, keeping their crude formula. The album's success was immediate, and the two first albums yielded gold records. The third one also bet on spontaneity, being recorded live in March 1986. The album had the hit "Sílvia." A few months later, the band left RGE and signed with WEA, recording Correndo o Risco. A different album, this one even featured an orchestra in "A Ferro e Fogo," but it didn't scare away their fans, selling 200,000 copies. In 1987, they recorded a double album, Duplo Sentido, which sold 40,000 copies. The album, featuring the participation of their idol, Raul Seixas, in "Muita Estrela, Pouca Constelação," evidenced different concepts and directions, making it clear that a separation was near. And indeed Nova left the band with Müllen, and, inviting keyboardist João Chaves, bassist Nadinho Feliciano, and drummer James Müller, formed the band A Envergadura Moral. In 1988, the band recorded Marcelo Nova & A Envergadura Moral. In the next year, Nova recorded an LP with Raul Seixas, A Panela do Diabo, which was Seixas' last album, as he died on August 21st. A Envergadura Moral also recorded (with Nova) the album Blackout in 1991 (Continental), taking a break after its release. In 1994, the group teamed again, with Marcelo Nova, Karl Hummel, Robério Santana, guitarist Luís Sérgio Carlini, keyboardist Carlos Alberto Calazans, and drummer Franklin Paolillo, recording the live CD Camisa de Vênus ao Vivo: Plugado! (1996, Polygram) and Quem é Você? (1997, Polygram). ~ Alvaro Neder, Rovi