Alberto Bonomi - Keyboards, vocals
Alberto De Grandis - Drums, vocals
Luca Baldassari - Bass
Silvio Minella - Guitar

D.F.A. was formed in 1991 by Alberto De Grandis, Luca Baldassari and Roberto Tommasini (keyboards) of Verona, Italy. De Grandis was the main composing force in the fledgling band, which rounded out its lineup in 1993 with addition of Silvio Minella on guitar. They explored progressive territory first mined by influences King Crimson, Gong, and Allan Holdsworth. In 1994 D.F.A. made its initial live performances to good reviews. Buoyed by the reception, they recorded a 6-song all-instrumental demo tape entitled Trip On Metrò. Reviews were positive, eliciting comparisons to Moerlen-era Gong. Alberto Piras of Deus ex Machina heard the tape and saw a tremendous amount of potential in this young four-piece, agreeing to produce their first full CD. At this time Tommasini left the group. The keyboard vacancy was rapidly filled by Alberto Bonomi.

In 1996, the new line-up re-recorded many of the songs on Trip On Metrò with Piras in the producer's chair, adding vocals performed by both De Grandis and Bonomi. Some of the compositions were fleshed out with extended complex instrumental breaks. D.F.A. first performed live with this current line-up in January of 1996. In October of that year, Lavori in Corso (translated "Works in Progress") was released on Piras' Scolopendra label. The album is chock-full of highly sophisticated but very melodic jazz-influenced progressive rock, with occasional vocals.

1997 saw the live debut of all of the Lavori in Corso material, in the band's hometown of Verona. Gigs with legendary Italian progressive bands Banco del Mutuo Soccorso and Le Orme attracted attention to this rapidly developing quartet. D.F.A. began to get noticed outside of the Italian peninsula as well. Keyboard columnist Dan Barrett stated in the magazine's 1997 year-end issue: "This superb new band from Italy carries the torch of Yes and Gentle Giant without being imitative. Lavori in Corso features intricate, complex, high-energy ensemble playing that grabbed me in the first 10 seconds and didn't let go. Possibly my favorite release of the last three years."

During 1997 and 1998, D.F.A. broke in some material for another album in the live setting. In September of 1998 the band concentrated solely on composing for their sophomore effort. The band was signed by Mauro Moroni's Mellow Records, ensuring wider worldwide distribution. Recording took place in June 1999. Duty Free Area was released in October 1999. This album expands the already distinctive D.F.A. sound, with a bit of an Ozric Tentacles or Happy the Man vibe in places. Of note is the track "Esperanto", featuring the unmistakable vocals of guest performer Piras. "Escher" is a stunning ten-minute instrumental workout with bubbling synths and laser-precise drumming and guitar leads.

D.F.A. is making their North American debut at NEARfest 2000. We are proud to host their first show on this side of the Atlantic. We hope this show is a springboard to even wider notoriety for this exceptionally talented Italian quartet.

Discography:

Lavori in Corso (1997)
Duty Free Area (1999)

Contact: albbon@libero.it

Home page: http://digilander.iol.it/dfa