Pin Ups

Formed in Santo André, in the ABC region of São Paulo, in 1988, the Pin Ups became one of the leading acts in Brazilian independent alternative rock. Founded by Zé Antônio Algodoal and Luís Gustavo, the band made its debut with André Benevides on vocals and Alexandre Kail on drums. Shortly thereafter, they established themselves as a trio: Zé Antônio on guitar, Luís Gustavo on bass and vocals, and Marcos “Marquinhos” Abreu—later known as Marco Butcher—on drums.

With a name inspired by an album by David Bowie, the band combined distorted guitars and English lyrics, blending influences from British indie, psychedelia, and American rock. This identity defined their debut with Time Will Burn (1990), an album that included tracks such as “Sonic Butterflies,” “The Groover,” and “Kill Myself,” helping to establish the group on the underground scene.

With Alexandra “Alê” Briganti now on bass, Pin Ups explored more acoustic and psychedelic arrangements on the EP Gash – A Mellow Project (1992), which included a cover of “A Day in the Life” by the Beatles. The direction changed again on Scrabby? (1993). Produced by João Gordo (Ratos de Porão) and recorded and mixed by RH Jackson, the third album featured a more aggressive sound, marked by noisy guitars and intense vocals.

In Jodie Foster (1995), the band’s first album released on CD, Luís Gustavo was still serving as lead vocalist. He left the band shortly after recording was completed, at which point Alê took over as lead vocalist permanently. The change paved the way for a more melodic phase, without losing the characteristic heaviness of the guitars. The album also kicked off a trilogy of titles paying homage to film actors.

This new direction was solidified in Lee Marvin (1997), an album packed with pop melodies, fast-paced passages, and standout tracks like “Weather,” “Guts,” and “You Shouldn’t Go Away.” With Alê on vocals and bass, Zé Antônio and Eliane Testone on guitars, and Flávio Cavichioli on drums, the band experienced one of its most acclaimed periods. The trilogy of tributes concluded with Bruce Lee (1999), a project that brought together three previously unreleased studio tracks and a live acoustic recording.

After constant lineup changes and the brief return of Luís Gustavo, the group went on hiatus in 2001. In 2015, they reunited at Sesc Pompeia in São Paulo for a concert billed as a farewell. The enthusiastic reception from the audience, however, spurred the band’s permanent reunion.

With Adriano Cintra on second guitar, Pin Ups released Long Time No See in 2019, exactly two decades after Bruce Lee. Produced by Zé Antônio and Cintra, the album featured guest appearances by Jim Wilbur (Superchunk), Pedro Pelotas, Eliane Testone, and other guests, ushering in a new chapter in the group’s history.