History
Bango
Bango is an alias of Stacey Pullen.
The Obscure Brazilian Rock Quintet
A Rare Gem of 1970s Brazilian Rock
Bango stands as one of the more obscure bands in Brazilian rock history, yet their self-titled album is widely regarded as one of the finest from the first half of the 1970s in the country. The record offers a sound that is a blend of psychedelic rock and heavier "pauleira" rock, with a subtle nod to Beatles-esque ballads.
From Os Canibais to Bango
The quintet comprised Aramis and Fernandinho on guitars, Elydio on bass, Roosevelt on organ, and Max Pierre on drums. This lineup was, in fact, the band Os Canibais, adopting a new name and musical direction. Unfortunately, very little information is available about Bango's activities under this moniker. As Os Canibais, the band had established themselves as one of the most respected dance bands of the 1960s and were resident performers on television programs during the Jovem Guarda era.
A Shift in Sound and Name
With the turn of the decade, Bango embraced the prevailing influences of the time. Post-Tropicalismo Brazilian rock was increasingly mirroring the sound of Os Mutantes, becoming significantly heavier. This musical evolution was accompanied by a name change. "Bango" itself is derived from one of the various species of cannabis found in Northeast Africa.
A Coveted Debut and Subsequent Activities
In 1972, Bango released their self-titled album on the Musicdisc label. Today, it is considered one of the rarest and most sought-after albums in Brazilian national rock. Following this, the band managed to release a single before disbanding. Although there has been no official CD release of the album, some tracks have appeared on compilations focusing on national psychedelia, particularly in the international market. It wouldn't be surprising if unofficial CDRs featuring the album, sourced from vinyl, exist.
The Members' Post-Bango Careers
The members of Bango did not disappear from the music scene. Max Pierre became one of the country's most prolific producers. In the 1970s, he worked at Continental with bands like A Barca do Sol. In the 1980s, he served as the artistic director for Som Livre, and in the 1990s, he took on the direction of Polyram. With the new millennium, Max became the vice-president of A&R for Universal Music do Brasil. Aramis de Barros also boasts a respectable career as a producer. In the 1990s, Aramis succeeded Max as the artistic director at Som Livre.
