Picassos Falsos

Considered, with Hojerizah, one of the best Brazilian rock groups of the second division, the Picassos Falsos had two successful releases and dissolved soon after that. Appearing under the name O Verso, Humberto Effe (vocals), Abílio Azambuja (drums), Luís Gustavo (guitar), and Zé Henrique (bass) performed underground venues around Rio de Janeiro, recording a demo tape that went unnoticed. It was then that Alvin L. gave them the name Picassos Falsos (taken from one of his songs) and produced their second demo tape. With Luís Henrique replacing Zé Henrique on the bass in 1986, two of the group's songs -- "Carne e Osso" and "Quadrinhos" -- received good airplay on Carioca alternative radio stations. Launching in the next year their first album, Picassos Falsos, the two hits had their popularity confirmed. In 1988 came Supercarioca, mixing the rock of the '60s and '70s with covers of Noel Rosa's "Último Desejo" (on "Marlene") and Jimi Hendrix's "Third Stone From the Sun" (on "Bolero"). In 1999, BMG Brasil compiled 21 songs by the band on the CD Hot 20. ~ Alvaro Neder