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Brazilian indie sensations Banda AL9 are celebrating their influences with today’s premiere of “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend,” an irresistible new rendition of The Rubinoos’ 1978 power pop classic available now via Wicked Cool Records.
“‘I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend’ just clicked with us right away,” says Banda AL9. “It has that upbeat, feel-good energy we love, plus strong vocal harmonies – something we always look for in songs. The guitars really stand out too, especially the solo, which adds a great touch. It’s fun, catchy, and all about love, which is something we’ll never get tired of singing about.”
Listen To “I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend”
In addition, the release of “She Calls Me Love (2026 Mix),” a reinvigorated version of their worldwide fan favorite, heralds Banda AL9’s eagerly awaited US debut album, Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9, arriving digitally and on CD, and on limited-edition orange vinyl, on Friday, July 17. Pre-orders/pre-saves are available now.
“‘She Calls Me Love’ has always been special to us,” says Banda AL9, “and seeing it connect so strongly online was incredible. With this new mix and master, it feels even more alive – highlighting the melodies, the vocal harmonies, and that big, explosive chorus that stays in your head.”
LISTEN TO “SHE CALLS ME LOVE (2026 MIX)”
With a fast-growing fan following of more than 2M across social media, Banda AL9 have already earned global recognition for their captivating blend of classic rock and pop influences with powerful riffs, emotive lyrics, and contemporary indie flair. Led by brothers Matheus Khouri (vocals, lead guitar) and Thiago Khouri (vocals, bass), the band first unveiled Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9 earlier this year with the playful lead single, “She Can Do It All,” available everywhere now alongside an equally light-hearted official music video streaming on YouTube. Matheus and Thiago recently recorded a live Relix session that is also streaming on YouTube.
LISTEN TO “SHE CAN DO IT ALL”
WATCH “SHE CAN DO IT ALL” OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO
Banda AL9 began their musical journey in 2017, posting acoustic cover videos on social media. They soon shifted their focus to original material, achieving impressive online engagement with their 2019 debut EP. Between 2021 and 2022, the band experienced rapid growth, going viral on TikTok, where their videos surpassed 12M views. 2023’s full-length debut album, Amor É A Lei, marked a turning point for Banda ALP, propelling the Khouri brothers into mainstream Brazilian stardom. The band’s success soon crossed borders, reaching a growing international audience thanks to airplay on Little Steven’s Underground Garage and co-signs from such like-minded artists as The Darkness’s Justin Hawkins. This momentum caught the attention of renowned DJ and producer Steve Aoki, who covered their hit single, “Chama de Amor,” and invited Banda AL9 to perform the track alongside him at Tomorrowland Brazil.
In 2024, Banda AL9 released Love Is The Law, an English-language version of Amor É A Lei, highlighted by the English version of “Chama de Amor,” “She Calls Me Love,” which proved the band’s breakthrough in the United States and several other countries. That same year saw the arrival of Banda AL9’s sophomore LP, O Nono Rei, featuring nine new tracks including the viral favorite, “California.” Banda AL9 strengthened their global presence in 2025 with The Ninth King, an English-language version of O Nono Rei, a series of successful English-language singles – including “I Am Dreaming,” “The Only One,” and “California (English Version)” – as well as such high-profile international collaborations as “Blue Road” with American country singer Ruby Leigh, and “I Promise You That” featuring Canadian singer Nasri, lead vocalist of MAGIC!. 2025 was further highlighted by Banda AL9’s milestone first stadium appearance, joining their friend Steve Aoki for an unforgettable performance at São Paulo’s Allianz Parque Stadium. Now, with the imminent Hey! Hey! We’re Banda AL9, Banda AL9 are poised to spread their unique brand of energetic rock ‘n’ roll further than ever before.
The post Brazilian Power Pop – Banda AL9 Covers The Rubinoos; New Album Out July 17 appeared first on The Hype Magazine.
