Dread Lion
The band DREAD LION emerged in the beginning of 1991, as a result of the discovery
of a group of friends who wanted to share the rhythm and the reggae message of
Jamaica with the world. At this time Gilberto Gil, Paralamas do Sucesso and Cidade
Negra (that just finished launching its first album) already showed that reggae was
a perfect fit with the musical language and Brazilian culture. Quickly the band gained
a legion of admirers in Rio de Janeiro that crowded their concerts in universities and
show houses, leading the movement of bands who formed the "carioca" scene in the
90's. DREAD LION began to perform in the main capitals of Brazil, creating the original
style that characterizes the compositions and the sound of the band.
During this period, they shared the stage with international attractions such as The
Wailers, Pato Banton, Andrew Tosh, Yellowman and Big Mountain. The first record
"Por que não Paz?" was released in 1997. Recorded in the A.R. Studios in Rio de
Janeiro, the CD, which included songs that were already a success with the public,
introduced the distinctive sound of the band to mass audiences. DREAD LION
definitively marked its space in the national scene and gained the respect and
friendship of bands such as Skank, Cidade Negra, Paralamas do Sucesso, Pedro Luis
e a Parede, Natiruts and Tribo de Jah, amongst others. In 1998 DREAD LION made
a video clip of the song "Oh! Chuva" with the participation of the singer and composer
Geraldo Azevedo. This video clip made it possible for the band to debut on MTV and
later form a soccer team with Skank, where together they were the "MTV ROCKGOL"
champions in 1999, and runners up in 2000 and 2001. Their independent success soon
gained the attention of record companies, and the band signed with label Sony Music,
which in 1999 re-launched the CD "Por Que Não Paz?" with remakes of the songs
"Oh! Chuva" and "Obrigado Senhor" as well as the new release "Beira-Mar", under the
production of Nélson Meirelles. After the re-release of "Por Que Não Paz?", "Oh! Chuva"
crossed new borders, becoming a hit sung and played all over Brazil, and being rewritte
by diverse artists, such as the group Falamansa and the singer Dora Vergueiro. Still
with the label, DREAD LION had the song "Por Que não Paz?" included in the interna-
tional compilation "Sem Fronteiras", together with artists such as Pearl Jam, Alanis
Morissette, Oasis and Jamiroquai, where revenues were given to the refugees of the
Kosovo war. In March of 2001, the band entered the Rock House studio (Rio) to record
the CD "JÁ É!". The nice view of the studio and the experience of the producer Rodrigo
Kuster allowed for the selection of a repertoire with arrangements in sink with the
bands desire. The final result makes an impression not only with the new features,
but also with the diverse rhythms found in the record. DREAD LION has gained many
followers and continues enchanting the public. The band is currently pushing the CD
"JÁ É!" in shows with in Brazil and is preparing for the launch of the video clip for the
song "Tempo Ligeiro".
For more informations check out their official webapge, here..
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