I
Heróis do Mar

About:

Heróis do Mar emerged in March 1981 , formed by Pedro Ayres Magalhães (who started as bassplayer in Faísca), Pedro Paulo Gonçalves and Carlos Maria Trindade, out of the remnants of Diplomatic Corps. Their name was taken from the first line of the Portuguese national anthem. In August 1981 the first single released which contained the songs 'Saudade' and ‘Brava dança dos heróis.’ The two songs also appear on the debut LP released in October of the same year. In June 1982 it published the song "Amor", which became a huge commercial success and went platinum, and the band would perform as supportact for  shows of King Crimson and Roxy Music in Portugal in the summer of that year. In 1983, the group released the album Mãe, well received by critics, but not as well received by the public. The single ' Paixão', becomes a small radio hit and attracted international attention by British music magazine The Face.

The initial visual neo-militarist imagery (that caused for much controversy) was changed for less controversial, but still too daring for its time, image with a lot of leather and ripped jeans. The five musicians began to engage in solo projects, Pedro Ayres Magalhães assumed the leadership of publisher Fundação Atlântica, producing albums of Anamar and Delfins . The mini-LP titled O Rapto, released in 1984 , contained the theme " Só gosto de ti" which managed to have some success. In 1985 released the single ' A alegria' which results in a new radio hit. The 1986 album Macau , met again with praise from critics, who renewed enthousiasm within the group. Still by 1988 they would release their last, selftitled album. Without António José de Almeida who already decided to step out of the band. In 1989 they decide to bfreak up. Tozé Almeida engages in production of television programs, advertising and some music videos . Gonçalves   opens a clothstore in London. Other band members continue in music and mostly production work.

By the time of the split Magalhães already had founded Madredeus with Rodrigo Leão. A band that would bring him international fame. The band's history is revisited in the documentary Brava dança of 2007 by Jorge Pires and José Pinheiro. The documentary tells the story of Portuguese new wave around the magazine Blitz

On the web:

- Odd enough for their status Heroís do Mar doesn't have a website, facebook or whatever.

If you like this, you probably like.. / european counterparts:

Radio Futura (Spain)

Idoli (Croatia)

What do we think:

DB: It's hard to believe for fans of Madredeus but the frontman in that band actually has a rock-past in one of Portugal's groundbreaking new wave bands. Pedro Ayres and his friends sounded much rawer and punky in those days. For Portuguese their 1981 debut is the pinnacle of social youth culture at the start of the Eighties. An album filled with anger and teenage energy. To my opinion they gradually perfected and shaped their sound on the 1986 'Macau'. No longer punk but poprock. From there each member went their seperate path leaving the legend-making to Portugese pop history.

Recommendations:

♪♪♪ - Heróis do Mar - 1981

- Mãe - 1983

- O Rapto - 1984

♪♪♪♪ - Macau - 1986

- Heróis do Mar IV - 1988