Marcelo Nova

Origin

Salvador, BA

Years Active

1980

Genres

rock, punk rock, brazilian rock

Instruments

vocals, acoustic guitar

Biography

Marcelo Drummond Nova is a Brazilian singer and songwriter, born in Salvador on August 16, 1951. He is widely recognized as the founder and frontman of the influential Bahian rock band Camisa de Vênus, which emerged in the early 1980s and became a major force in the national independent and punk-influenced rock scene. Throughout his career, Nova combined biting social commentary, dark humor, and a rebellious attitude that left a lasting impact on Brazilian popular music.

In addition to his landmark work with Camisa de Vênus, Nova embarked on a prolific solo career starting in the late 1980s, backed by his band Envergadura Moral. His partnership with the legendary Raul Seixas resulted in the acclaimed 1989 album A Panela do Diabo, which cemented his status as a pillar of Brazilian rock. Nova also pioneered acoustic formats in Brazilian rock with albums like Blackout, while consistently maintaining a fierce independent spirit across decades of releasing music and touring.

His musical journey began in Salvador, where he developed a deep obsession with records and rock and roll after discovering Little Richard and seeing Raulzito e os Panteras perform live. After running a record store and hosting a radio program called Rock Special, a trip to New York exposed him to the punk movement, giving him the DIY philosophy needed to form Camisa de Vênus alongside bassist Robério Santana. Over the years, despite various band hiatuses, legal disputes over the band's name, and occasional controversies, Nova remains one of the most uncompromising and enduring figures in Brazilian rock history.