Leandro was born in Rosario do Sul RS in 02/01/70, he started playing acoustic guitar at age of 14 back in 1984 when living in Brazil.  For a few years he learned the rock tunes of local bands on his cheap second hand acoustic guitar and at the age of 18 he got his first used electric guitar when he joined his first rockabilly band.  Metal was not part of his music taste yet.

In the beginning of the 90's, bands like Guns N Roses and Skid Row were very popular in Brazil, which was a big influence on Leandro in changing his style.  Distorted guitar was then incorporated to his playing, but he still felt like something was missing.

Everything changed one day when he heard the song Orgasmatron,a Motorhead song covered by the Brazilian metal band Sepultura, on the radio.  That was it, nothing would be the same anymore, Leandro deeply felt the energy of the vocals and guitars of Max Cavalera and finally he knew he was on the right path.

On Christmas 92, a week after Leandro won the annual battle of the bands in Canoas RS, he moved from Brazil to try a new life in the USA and pursue his goal of becoming a professional musician.  In Boston, he played with many bands trying out different styles of heavy music looking to develop a unique sound.  After living in Massachusetts for almost seven years, he found it was time to move on and re-start his life in a new place, so in August 1999 he headed to Utah.

Living in Utah for few weeks, Leandro met bass player Andy Burres and started the long journey of Hooga.  The band played numerous shows including Saltair, DV8 and Jackson WY, and has had many drummers and bass players, even tried a keyboard player.  The band is current recording the next album and building the new studio. 

Leandro now is married, has two daughters, joined the LDS church, lives in Lehi, Utah, works at Novell, Inc., attends UVSC studying computer science, he is building a practice/recording studio for the band in his back yard and at the age of 34 he never stopped believing in his dream of becoming a professional musician and never will until he dies.

HOOGA will be heard!!!