Mamonas Assassinas

The Mamonas Assassinas reached enormous nationwide prominence inside a single year after moving one million copies of their sole release, Mamonas Assassinas (1995), whose standout tracks included "Vira-Vira," "Pelados em Santos," "Robocop Gay," and "Sabão Crá-Crá." A plane crash brought their story to a sudden and tragic close. The ensemble first assembled in 1989 as Utopia, a cover band devoted to Legião Urbana and Rush, and at that point Dinho was not yet involved. Two years afterward the soon-to-be celebrated vocalist joined them for an independent recording that sold almost nothing. Only after they turned toward biting sarcasm and adopted their eventual name did real popularity arrive. EMI-Odeon signed the group in 1995, after which success followed at once.