TO3 is a multi-cultural Alternative Rock band from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It consists of one American, Mark Lambert (lead vocals, guitar, songwriter) and three Brazilians, Roberto Marques (drums, vocals), Juliano Candido (bass, vocals) and Gustavo Dvoran (guitar, vocals). Their sound is a curious mix of melodic pop, hard rock guitars, radio-friendly hooks, driving drumbeats, soaring 4-part vocals, pulsating bass lines, Brazilian rhythms, multi-layered guitar tapestries and above all, a deep groove. Their lyrics speak of politics, the loss of faith, death, atheism, over-reliance on digital media, corruption and the never-ending mystery of personal relationships.
TO3 – The name comes from various sources:
1) In electronics, TO-3 is a designation for a standardized metal semiconductor package used for transistors
2) In Japanese, the ideogram TO3 means ‘Rock’
3) The band liked the pure sound of the letters and number in English: TO3
The logo was designed by the Brazilian actress/photographer, Sonia Braga.
Their lead singer/songwriter, Mark Lambert, has lived for the past 14 years in Brazil and his songs draw on a wealth of musical styles from vintage 60’s vocal harmonies to Tropicalismo to 70’s groove drumming to 80’s pulse music to 90’s Brit-pop and including sonic elements from Punk, Jazz, Country, Funk and even Bossa Nova. Their multi-layered arrangements utilize a multitude of guitars sounds from a “Hendrix-style” fuzz to a “Clapton” clean Stratocaster to a “Sly & the Family Stone” wah-wah to an “Andy Summers” chorus to a “The Edge” ethereal delay to a “Ry Cooder” Vintage Tremolo to a “Sonic Youth” feedback to “Nirvana” power chords to “James Brown” treble riffs to “Radiohead” growling low notes to a “Jeff Buckley” jangly Telecaster to a “Dave Grohl” soaring Gibson 335. Below this wall of guitars are savage bass and drums grooves that mix popular rhythms from North and South America.
These 4 powerhouse musicians create a massive sound that appears to be an orchestra of many musicians and singers. Their live shows are characterized by a super high-energy performance, soulful singing, virtuosity in service of a groove and an irresistible drive to move your body along with the beat.
TO3 looks both backwards to the vintage sounds of classic rock (no keyboards or samples were used in their recording) and forwards to the bands of today with their audacious live performance, innovative song structures and contemporary lyrical statements.
TO3 is a band of men who recognize the hard madness of the world, but look at it with courage, and with the wisdom of those who understand how to deal with it, without illusions.