Engenheiros do Hawaii

Origin

Porto Alegre, RS

Years Active

1985–2008

Genres

rock, rock gaúcho, new wave, pop rock, alternative rock, post-punk

Instruments

vocals, bass, guitar, drums, keyboard, acoustic guitar, viola caipira, harmonica, dobro, mandolin, piano, percussion, accordion

Biography

Engenheiros do Hawaii was a Brazilian rock band formed in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, in 1985. The band originated from a group of architecture students at UFRGS who decided to form a musical group to perform at a college festival. The name "Engenheiros do Hawaii" was chosen ironically, as a provocation to the engineering students who frequented the same bar as them, associating them with a Hawaiian look.

Led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Humberto Gessinger, the band stood out for its intelligent lyrics, full of wordplay, cultural references, and social criticism. Throughout their career, which extended until April 2008, Engenheiros do Hawaii released over 20 albums, including studio albums, live albums, and compilations, selling more than 3 million records and earning various certifications. The band's lineup went through many changes over the years, with Gessinger being the only member present in all phases.

The group is considered one of the most important and influential names in Brazilian rock, with hits such as "Infinita Highway", "Terra de Gigantes", "O Papa é Pop" and "Era um Garoto que como Eu Amava os Beatles e os Rolling Stones". The band transitioned through various musical styles, incorporating elements of progressive rock, pop rock, and even regional sounds, always maintaining their reflective and challenging lyrical identity. The influence of Engenheiros do Hawaii can be seen in several national rock bands and artists, such as Nenhum de Nós and Os Paralamas do Sucesso.

Discography

• Longe Demais das Capitais (1986)
• A Revolta dos Dândis (1987)
• Ouça o que Eu Digo, Não Ouça Ninguém (1988)
• Alívio Imediato (1989)
• Somos o que Podemos Ser (1989)
• O Papa É Pop (1990)
• Era um Garoto, que Como Eu, Amava os Beatles e os Rolling Stones (1990)
• Herdeiro da Pampa Pobre (1991)
• Várias Variáveis (1991)
• Gessinger, Licks & Maltz (1992)
• Filmes de Guerra, Canções de Amor (1993)
• Simples de Coração (1995)
• Minuano (1997)
• ¡Tchau Radar! (1999)
• 10.000 Destinos Ao Vivo (2000)
• 10.001 Destinos (Live) (2001)
• Surfando Karmas & DNA (2002)
• Dançando no Campo Minado (2003)
• Acústico MTV (2004)
• Acústico Novos Horizontes (2007)