Cabeças de Gado, an iconic band from Matosinhos, was born in June 1988 with a clear purpose: to revolutionize the Portuguese music scene with high-caliber rock and roll and rockabilly, performed in Portuguese with occasional forays into English covers.
In its mature phase, the group was composed of talented elements who would later stand out in other notable musical endeavors. Filipe Varejão, future member of Western X and Los Gringos, was a master of solo guitar, while Pedro Moreira, also a future member of Western X and Los Gringos, enchanted with his voice and skill on the harmonica. Gil Rocha provided the deep tone with the bass and double bass, and Tozé Ferreira complemented with the rhythm guitar, creating a unique synergy. Filipe Santos was the mainstay on drums, ensuring the pulsating rhythm that characterized his performances.
However, in November 1990, the group’s fate took a new turn with significant changes to the original line-up. António José Ferreira joined the band on guitar, while Pedro Moreira definitively took over the microphone as vocalist. This reformulation brought new life and a more pronounced professionalism to the band’s performances. They began performing on several stages throughout the country, especially in the most avid rockabilly and rock and roll circuits, leaving an indelible mark on the music scene of the time.
Despite its repercussion, Cabeças de Gado decided to end its activities in May 1996. However, longing spoke louder, and the band members reunited sporadically to relive the longing and present fans with some memorable performances. The concert held in December 2001 in Matosinhos stood out as a particularly special moment, rekindling the flame of that passion that had united them years before.
Throughout its existence, Cabeças de Gado has had a fluid formation, with around 12 musicians passing through the band’s ranks. Each one left their mark, contributing to the richness and diversity of the sound that characterized this emblematic Portuguese band. His journey, although punctuated by ups and downs, left a lasting legacy on the national music scene.
