GNR Essentials

Punk-rock politics meet New Wave showmanship in GNR (Grupo Novo Rock). Formed in 1981, GNR are led by the charismatic singer/songwriter Rui Reininho. Early songs echoed The Clash's ironic take on consumer society (in a toned-down way), while later Reininho tunes projected Bryan Ferry-caliber ennui, peppered with local Portuguese slang. Soon GNR evolved into an increasingly ironic soft rock group looking to The Beatles and the U.S. emo scene for inspiration. By the ‘10s they sounded like a long-lost '80s pop band.