Joker (20)

Band from Cascais, Portugal, formed in the summer of 1990 by vocalist Tiago Gardner and keyboardist José Tavares. Joining them was drummer Eduardo Silva, bassist Hugo Granger, and guitarist Paulo Ferreira. In September of the same year, the band played their first gig in Cascais. In December, after several concerts, the band entered the Tcha Tcha Tcha studios to record their first demo tape, titled "Demo '90", which included three tracks: "Little Suzie", "Bitten By The Snake" and "Burning With Desire". At the beginning of 1991, drummer Eduardo left the band and Bruno Ganger, Hugo's brother, replaced him. Between April and July the group played live eight times, between Lisbon and Cascais. The first contacts with management and the Polygram label began in April 1991. Luís Páscoa replaced Bruno Ganger on drums, and the band records another demo tape with 5 songs. In November 1992, their first full-length is released, "Ecstasy". In November 6th 1992, Joker opens for US band Extreme and UK group Thunder, at the Dramático in Cascais. The song "Easy Come And Go" reaches the national Top and the 12" EP "Easy Come And Go" is released. In 1993 the band played live all over the country, some discos like the News in Cascais, Alcântara-Mar in Lisbon, as well venues like Armazén 22, also in Lisbon and Pavilhão do Infante Sagres in Porto. The band leaves their Hard Rock roots to follow a more groove-oriented and mature sound on their 2nd album "Egg Nightmare", released in 1994. After the contract with Polygram the band disappeared.