Interview with Autoramas, July 2006

NB - Tell me a short story about Autoramas - how you started, who are the members...
A - We have been playing together since 1997, we have 3 albums, some singles and songs in compilations. Bacalhau (the drummer) and I played in other bands who were always in the same festivals, we were friends some years before forming Autoramas. My band broke up and Bacalhau left his band, when i heard about it, I called him to join my new band, Autoramas. Selma, the bass player joined us later.

NB - I heard your 2 CDs and 7" and it's really hard to put you into one specific corner of music style. You mix a lot of things and yet you have your own style. What is hidden in your record collection? What are the things you like to hear most?
A - Thank You, I think the best compliment to a band is having an own style. We like Surf Music, Garage, Punk, New Wave bands like early B-52's and Devo and we love 60's brazilian pop music that we name here in Brazil "Jovem Guarda". When people ask us which style we are, we say we play "Rock you can dance to". We want to play the kind of music we'd love to hear in a party.

NB - I only heard some garage bands from Brazil, but I don't know anything about other interesting stuff - can you recommend me some bands, labels...?
A - There are great bands in Brazil. My favourites are: Canastra, Erika Martins & Telecats, Radio de Outono, Forgotten Boys, MQN, Retrofoguetes, Walverdes and many more. we have some labels like Monstro, Mondo 77, Slag!. all of them have websites...google them!

NB - Tell me about your life, what you do except for playing in band, things you like, things you hate...?
A - Actually I spend most of my time touring with Autoramas, we play a lot in Brazil. All of us are musicians, I am a songwriter, I write songs to other artists.I like swimming, playing football and sleeping. I love eating too, brazilian food is great. I hate samba.

NB - Your favorite movie?
A - Pulp Fiction. But there is a Brazilian 70's soft porn movie genre that is real fun, called "Pornochanchada". There are lots of different movies and great actors: Paulo César Peréio, Jece Valadão, Vera Fisher, Carla Camuratti... You should try it...

NB - Playing in a band can be great, but I guess there are also bad moments. What was your best and worse experience so far?
A - The best: last year our video of the song "Você Sabe" had 5 nominations on MTV Brazil Awards, and we won 3 of it. We became the first independent band in Brazil that won more prizes than any other artist. The worst: I got on the stage really sick and threw up. But when I threw up, everything turned very good! Our bad experiences are not too long...

NB - You just toured in Europe, unfortunately no gigs in Holland. How did you like it? Was this your 1st visit to Europe? Is there a big difference between European and Brazilian audience? Can we expect you again next year, maybe in Holland?
A - We'd love to go to Holland, but we didn't meet anyone interested in setting up an Autoramas' tour...We have a problem now: Every european label tells us that they can't put out our record if we don't tour Europe. And the booking agencies I made contact told us they can't set up tours if we don't have records released in Europe. We played just 3 shows, two in London and another one in Portugal...I think things will change from now on...I want to play more shows to have a real opinion about European audiences.

NB - Any plans for new releases? Maybe something on European label?
A - we are recording a new album now, maybe next month everything will be ready. If there is some European label interested, contact us.

NB - Anything you want to say to No Brains readers?
A - Get to know Autoramas' music, Brazilian Rock and Roll. www.uol.com.br/autoramas our website. and www.myspace.com/autoramas