Patrulha do Espaço
- Origin
- São Paulo, SP
- Years active
- 1977–2018
- Genres
- hard rock, progressive rock, psychedelic rock, heavy metal
- Instruments
- drums, guitar, bass guitar, vocals, keyboards, flute
Biography
Formed in 1977 in São Paulo, Patrulha do Espaço is a seminal Brazilian hard rock and progressive rock band. The group was founded by the legendary Arnaldo Baptista (formerly of Os Mutantes), alongside drummer Rolando Castello Júnior, bassist Oswaldo 'Cokinho' Gennari, and guitarist John Flavin. Their debut occurred at the 1° Concerto Latino Americano de Rock, marking the beginning of their journey as a key expression of the São Paulo rock scene. Although their early recordings with Baptista, such as the album 'Elo Perdido', were captured in the late 1970s, they only reached the public years later. \n\nFollowing Arnaldo Baptista's departure in 1978, the band underwent several lineup changes and solidified themselves as Brazil's first hard rock power trio. They achieved a significant milestone by releasing what is considered the first independent rock record in Brazil, popularly known as the 'Disco Preto'. Throughout the 1980s, the band opened for international acts like Van Halen and collaborated with the Argentine guitarist Pappo. After a hiatus in the late 1980s and 1990s, the band was revived by constant member Rolando Castello Júnior in 1999, continuing to release new material and perform at major festivals until their farewell tour in 2018. \n\nOver four decades, Patrulha do Espaço explored a variety of sounds including psychedelia, folk, and jazz-rock, while maintaining a strong hard rock core. Their history is meticulously documented through their 'Dossiê' compilation series. The band remains a respected pillar of Brazilian underground music, having influenced generations of rock musicians in the country.