We travel to Rio de Janeiro. It is 1994. It is the summer. Later that year Brazil would be World Cup Champions for the 4th time.
It is at this time that Zezinho, Marcelo Pires and Alexandre “Dub” decided they wanted to record some songs. When at the studio they notice they are lacking something in their sound, a second guitar. Well, no problem, Jorge who works at this particular studio (don’t know the name) can play the guitar. Now we have a four-piece. Terrible Head Cream was born.
On Soundcloud there are recordings from this period. An album called “Like a Blue Olive” dates from 1994. I don’t know if this was properly released. I don’t think it was. But 8 songs were recorded: “After and Before”, “Leticia”, “Roundabout”, “Alliviated”, “Ália”, “Light Now”, “Pumpkin Days” and “Sibyl Vane”.
The band’s shoegaze influences shine on these tracks.
In 1995 the band becomes a trio as “Dub” leaves the project and continue recording demo tapes. More tapes are recorded like “Pink Smoke / Orange Vodka” that had twelve tracks: “Anything”, “In the Cold”, “So Close to You”, “Stay in my Dream”, ” Summer Days”, “Burning Eyes”, “I’m Going to Love You”, “The Smile of a Dead”, “Blood Yawner”, “Ália”, “Losen Senteces to You” and “Untitled”. “Dub” still played bass on thesee reccordings.
From what I understand another tape was recorded in 1996 called “Do What You Want” but I don’t think the songs are on Soundcloud. On this last one the bassist was Duda, an old friend of the band that used to play soul music.
All of these demo tapes were distributed by the legendary Brazilian label Midsummer Madness.
During their time the band played few gigs, just 4 total. They were at Sacristia, Sem Destino, Bang! and a pub in the city’s Zona Oesta alongside the band Cigarettes.
In 1997 Francisco Kraus, bassist of the classic band Second Come, would join them as their bassist…
And then silence..
Well not really. We know that Marcelo Pires and Francisco Kraus would start a new band called Jess Saes, but that is another story.
Who do my carioca friends remember Terrible Head Cream? Would love to learn more about this band!
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