Xutos & Pontapés

Xutos & Pontap├®s are a Portuguese rock band, who got together in Almada, Portugal in 1978, 4 years after the Carnation Revolution. They started off in the local punk rock scene and set the trend - singing rock tunes in Portuguese. After 3 decades of studio and live albums, Xutos & Pontap├®s continue to be considered Portugal's top rock band influencing new generations of Portuguese bands. In 2004 the band was awarded a state decoration by Portuguese President Jorge Sampaio, for 25 years of career achievements in the music industry. On 26 September 2009 they played to a packed football stadium, Estadio do Restelo, to commemorate their 30th anniversary. They played for 3 hours - each hour marking a decade of their steadily successful career. It was the first time 7 screens were used on stage in Portugal. Current members are most of the original line up Tim (bass/vocals), Z├® Pedro (guitar), Jo├úo Cabeleira (guitar - since '83), Kal├║ (drums) and Gui (sax). Fans refer to the band as Xutos; and Xutos is pronounced 'shootoosh'. Both 'xutos' and 'pontap├®s' are words in reference to two types of kicks ('xutos' for kicks in a ball, and 'pontap├®s' for kicks in the shin).