Fofinho

Forget Bossa Nova, Tropicália, Samba, and Afoxé, my first two musical experiences here have defied my stereotypes about Brazilian culture. Last Sunday I witnessed Brazilian hip hop at Casa das Caldeiras, last night I experienced old school Brazilian rock n' roll at Fofinho.

My Brazilian friend G. invited me to join her and her boyfriend at Fofinho Rock Club, headquarters of the Sao Paulo rock scene of the 1970s and 1980s, to hear Made in Brazil, one of Brazil’s first rock bands.

The concert was scheduled to start at 10 pm, but at 10:30, when we arrived, people had just started to form a line outside the door. We found most of the fans at the bar next door, singing along to the Led Zeplin playing on the juke box. The median age: 45. The look: lots of leather and lots of hair. Nostalgia ran thick. Made in Brazil was releasing their first album since 2001, “Rock de Verdade” (True Rock), and people were excited.

Sadly, I didn’t get to rock out to Made in Brazil. We only made it through three of the four opening acts by 1:30 am. But I got a good introduction to Brazilian rock classics and enjoyed a few lively renditions of American and British rock anthems (“I like smoke and lighting, heavy metal tunder!”). Hair flew, air guitars wailed, and good times were had by all, even if I did catch a few yawns from the old rockers, struggling to keep up with memories of their younger selves.