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A BAND OF TWO BROTHERS MIXES PUNK ROCK TO THE TUNE OF BOSSA NOVA

When I was little, I used to hit my cousin who was a vulnerable three years younger than me (when I was seven, those three years made a big difference). This kind of infantile power struggle goes on in most healthy families. At 30, I've got over that phase, but it looks like Brothers of Brasil, the musical duo made up of by Supla and João Suplicy, are still fighting it out to be top dog.

With their London gigs just around the corner, I ring João's mobile in Brasil. We talk a bit about music, a strange - but intoxicating - mix of samba and bossa nova with punk and rock and roll. Suddenly, I hear an impatient voice in the background. It's Supla wanting to talk to me. And soon he's on the line. "João talks too slowly, it really winds me up". He goes on to say: "We have this love/hate relationship. It's like the song `Sometimes I want to punch you, but I love you`".

The two have contrasting personalities, musical tastes and looks. João likes bossa nova, piano and guitars; he speaks slowly and resembles Clark Gable. Supla's into punk rock, plays the drums, speaks a lot, wears chains and has bleached, spiky hair. I don't believe that "opposites attract", but in this case, the chemistry's worked wonders. The differences between the two make their music - which is sang in English and in Portuguese - something of a tempestuous relationship. And, yes, these spats make their way on stage, as well.

Supla has a special relationship with the Brasilian public. Talking about his younger brother, he reveals that: "when we were kids, I used to dress João up as a punk. But to be honest, he proved to be a lot more punk than me when he had the balls to get into bossa nova".

8th April – 8pm
Guanabara
Parker Street (Corner of Drury Lane) - WC2B 5PW

16th April – 9pm
Buffalo Bar
259 Upper Street London N1

17th April – 9pm
Made In Brazil 9PM
12 Inverness Street London NW1 7HJ

www.myspace.com/brothersofbrazil