i fantomatici
I FANTOMATICI "Gita Al Mare"
UPCOMING SHOWS
I FANTOMATICI play instro music since 2002. They come from Vicenza, in the north-east of Italy. "fantomatici" in italian means "that maybe don't really exist''. But i assure they exist, and mix in their compositions surf, beat, rockabilly, easy listening, italian B-movies soundtracks, but also punk and lo-fi. Always with an original, peculiar style. The music reminds of seasides, exotic atmospheres, alien words, italian futurism, spaghetti western lands, mysterious women. They are young, and sometimes don't know what they do. But they always do it.
I Fantomatici mescolano nelle loro composizioni le più disparate influenze: surf, beat, rockabilly, garage, lounge, rock'n roll e tutto senza dimenticare spruzzatine punk e lo-fi, e soprattutto un legame molto forte con le colonne sonore, soprattutto dei B-Movies e dei film ’60–’70. Nei nostri pezzi vengono evocati agenti segreti, gite al mare, atmosfere esotiche, mondi alieni, scenari spaghetti-western, supereroi di ogni colore e nazionalità, avanguardie storiche, gangsters e donne affascinanti. Il retroterra ideologico del gruppo si basa su tutto ciò che riguarda gli anni sessanta e settanta, soprattutto in Italia, ma ovviamente con uno sguardo attento anche al panorama musicale e culturale d'Oltremanica e d'Oltreoceano.Una malcelata mediterraneità, un riverbero graffiante e insofferente, il tutto unito a riff misurati o accattivanti a seconda dell'atmosfera,sono il marchio di fabbrica de I Fantomatici. Il 15 febbraio 2005 è uscito l'album Giustizia Sommaria per la Green Cookie Records, 12 tracce più ghost track che hanno fatto impazzire grandi e piccini. Da febbraio 2006 è invece ufficialmente pronto anche il secondo album dei Fantomatici, intitolato "Spaghetti Surf" e su www.reverbcentral.com c'è già un interessante recensione targata Phil Dirt, che di surf strumentale se ne intende!
Spaghetti Surf represents a significant step forward for I Fantomatici. As they mature, their arrangements get stronger and the blend of spaghetti western and surf becomes more original. Great CD. Picks: Riviera Berica, Crockabilly, La Legge Del Dollaro, Banana Beach, Klaus Kinski, Sputnik, Orgasmo Intergalattico, Spaghetti Surf, Il Risveglio Della Mummia, Enterprise, Malasurf, Vicenza Violenza
"RIVIERA BERICA" is a very nice progression based instro. The main riff climbs and falls in a circular motion. A couple of verses in, the second guitar switched from a surf pattern to a lead jam. The break is really quite lovely, perhaps warranting development into a song on its own.
"CROCKABILLY". A fun and almost goody two note beat runs beneath a very playful melody line that's also quite friendly. "Crockabilly" begins inconspicuously, but as the song evolves, you find yourself sucked in. Tribal drums and reverb charm.
"LA LEGGE DEL DOLLARO". Glorious reverb rings out while wonderful spaghetti charm ensues. I found that I kept upping my rating of this track as I listened. It's infectious and warm, and very engaging. Sad at times, optimistic at others, "La Legge Del Dollaro" is a total charmer.
"BANANA BEACH" is a very cool surf number with a splendid melody line and great surf tone. The two guitars play off each other very well, giving it a sense of composition. Splendid.
"KLAUS KINSKI". Angular and uneasy, "Klaus Kinski" demands your attention if for no other reason that intro and bridges seem so out of sorts. A very unusual track, perhaps inspired by uneasy screen shots.
"SPUTNIK". Dramatic and fluid, tribal and dangerous, "Sputnik" sports some solid drumming excellent guitar arrangements. There are many songs with this title, and this is none of them.
"ORGASMO INTERGALATTICO". This is a futurist and forbidding instro with dark surf tendencies. Big whammy and an unusual guitar line, along with an uneasy feeling. The break features some cool effects and guitar work.
"SPAGHETTI SURF". You might imagine that there would be spaghetti western and surf references here. You would be correct. Lovely surf tone and open plane imagery combine for a fine ride across a grand expanse. Very cool!
"IL RISVEGLIO DELLA MUMMIA". An exotic Middle Eastern melody plays in moody tone across tribal drums and moody bass. The second guitar's surf chords are a perfect counterpoint to the melody. This is a splendid slow moving desert masterpiece.
"ENTERPRISE". Double picked guitar, "Miserlou"-like rhythm chords, excellent drums and slithery bass deliver a superb surf instro. "Enterprise" is a mid tempo track with a lot of charm and dribbling reverb.
"MALASURF" moves to a sensual slow one-two beat in a Jewish structure. It's very cool, in the same way that Meshugga Beach Party is, but without the grin. It is the moodiness that sets it apart. Very cool!
"VICENZA VIOLENZA". From a "Secret Agent Man" styled opening, "Vicenza Violenza" develops into a sparkling spy epic with great tone and guitar interplay. Rich and adventurous.
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
"RIVIERA BERICA" is a very nice progression based instro. The main riff climbs and falls in a circular motion. A couple of verses in, the second guitar switched from a surf pattern to a lead jam. The break is really quite lovely, perhaps warranting development into a song on its own.
"CROCKABILLY". A fun and almost goody two note beat runs beneath a very playful melody line that's also quite friendly. "Crockabilly" begins inconspicuously, but as the song evolves, you find yourself sucked in. Tribal drums and reverb charm.
"LA LEGGE DEL DOLLARO". Glorious reverb rings out while wonderful spaghetti charm ensues. I found that I kept upping my rating of this track as I listened. It's infectious and warm, and very engaging. Sad at times, optimistic at others, "La Legge Del Dollaro" is a total charmer.
"BANANA BEACH" is a very cool surf number with a splendid melody line and great surf tone. The two guitars play off each other very well, giving it a sense of composition. Splendid.
"KLAUS KINSKI". Angular and uneasy, "Klaus Kinski" demands your attention if for no other reason that intro and bridges seem so out of sorts. A very unusual track, perhaps inspired by uneasy screen shots.
"SPUTNIK". Dramatic and fluid, tribal and dangerous, "Sputnik" sports some solid drumming excellent guitar arrangements. There are many songs with this title, and this is none of them.
"ORGASMO INTERGALATTICO". This is a futurist and forbidding instro with dark surf tendencies. Big whammy and an unusual guitar line, along with an uneasy feeling. The break features some cool effects and guitar work.
"SPAGHETTI SURF". You might imagine that there would be spaghetti western and surf references here. You would be correct. Lovely surf tone and open plane imagery combine for a fine ride across a grand expanse. Very cool!
"IL RISVEGLIO DELLA MUMMIA". An exotic Middle Eastern melody plays in moody tone across tribal drums and moody bass. The second guitar's surf chords are a perfect counterpoint to the melody. This is a splendid slow moving desert masterpiece.
"ENTERPRISE". Double picked guitar, "Miserlou"-like rhythm chords, excellent drums and slithery bass deliver a superb surf instro. "Enterprise" is a mid tempo track with a lot of charm and dribbling reverb.
"MALASURF" moves to a sensual slow one-two beat in a Jewish structure. It's very cool, in the same way that Meshugga Beach Party is, but without the grin. It is the moodiness that sets it apart. Very cool!
"VICENZA VIOLENZA". From a "Secret Agent Man" styled opening, "Vicenza Violenza" develops into a sparkling spy epic with great tone and guitar interplay. Rich and adventurous.
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
This is a very interesting disc. Combining spaghetti western, spy, surf, and atmospheric production, this Italian band are charting new territory. Very good writing and engaging ideas.
"ANNI DI PIOMBO" Like a cross between John Barry and Ennio Morricone, "Anni Di Piombo" is a pulsing spaghetti spy song with lots of ominous drama.
"ASSALTO ALLA DILIGENZA" is a splendid spaghetti western with a galloping rhythm and eerie sound. Haunted by spatial reverb, the moody melody rides a stereo wash of shimmer courtesy vibrato and panned delay. Sound effects of horses and gunshots complete the bandito image.
"ASTEROIDE" Pumping rhythm and tweaky electro-sounds in a dark syrup of sub space danger. Not melodic, but riffy pulsing power.
"COSTA ESMERALDA" A fine playful melody strides across a circulating rhythm. "Costa Esmeralda" is very cool and catchy, with a bit of humor and spatial fullness. Fun and engaging.
"DESTINO" An open road adventure kind of song with shimmer and throb from reverb and vibrato. "Dr. Destino" has a definite coastal feeling, and the melody portrays motion. The tribal beat adds drama.
"GANGSTERS" This song sports a catchy riff and a light hearted sound. A wash of reverb and atmospherics give it a huge distance, though it's not far away. Bad guys never sound this melodic.
"GITA AL MARE" Light and fluid, playful and warm, "Gita Al Mare" is a fine song for an energized happy day. Pretty without being sappy, and featuring great drums.
"MEXICONO" Warm tone and a Spanish influence create a pleasing and fluid sound. The melody is very pleasing and well developed. "Mexicono" seems to smile.
"Mr. GRANCHO" Stereo vibrato makes "Mr. Grancho" pulse in an atmospheric wash. More riff than melody, but very fun. The uplifting joy of the song is quite evident.
"OPERAZIONE SCEICCO" Spies on surfboards zigzag between curl riders in search of sleepers. They don't find them, but the hunt is dangerous nonetheless. "Operazione Sceicco" is a nice song with a real espionage feeling and sound.
"SOL STIZIO D'ESTATE" is a very pretty song, with a beautiful melody and broad atmospherics. The muted rhythm and gentle percussion, along with the round bass lines, create a romantic underpinning for the haunting melody.
"YURI GAGARIN" Russian Cosmonaut "Yuri Gagarin" is immortalized in this instrumental. Perhaps a bit like early Laika and the Cosmonauts, the song is decidedly European, yet has a surfable sound.
"R.I.P." Unlisted at the end of the disc, is a beautiful and atmospheric song that floats on a sea of reverb and mist. Great percussion and moodiness.
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
"ANNI DI PIOMBO" Like a cross between John Barry and Ennio Morricone, "Anni Di Piombo" is a pulsing spaghetti spy song with lots of ominous drama.
"ASSALTO ALLA DILIGENZA" is a splendid spaghetti western with a galloping rhythm and eerie sound. Haunted by spatial reverb, the moody melody rides a stereo wash of shimmer courtesy vibrato and panned delay. Sound effects of horses and gunshots complete the bandito image.
"ASTEROIDE" Pumping rhythm and tweaky electro-sounds in a dark syrup of sub space danger. Not melodic, but riffy pulsing power.
"COSTA ESMERALDA" A fine playful melody strides across a circulating rhythm. "Costa Esmeralda" is very cool and catchy, with a bit of humor and spatial fullness. Fun and engaging.
"DESTINO" An open road adventure kind of song with shimmer and throb from reverb and vibrato. "Dr. Destino" has a definite coastal feeling, and the melody portrays motion. The tribal beat adds drama.
"GANGSTERS" This song sports a catchy riff and a light hearted sound. A wash of reverb and atmospherics give it a huge distance, though it's not far away. Bad guys never sound this melodic.
"GITA AL MARE" Light and fluid, playful and warm, "Gita Al Mare" is a fine song for an energized happy day. Pretty without being sappy, and featuring great drums.
"MEXICONO" Warm tone and a Spanish influence create a pleasing and fluid sound. The melody is very pleasing and well developed. "Mexicono" seems to smile.
"Mr. GRANCHO" Stereo vibrato makes "Mr. Grancho" pulse in an atmospheric wash. More riff than melody, but very fun. The uplifting joy of the song is quite evident.
"OPERAZIONE SCEICCO" Spies on surfboards zigzag between curl riders in search of sleepers. They don't find them, but the hunt is dangerous nonetheless. "Operazione Sceicco" is a nice song with a real espionage feeling and sound.
"SOL STIZIO D'ESTATE" is a very pretty song, with a beautiful melody and broad atmospherics. The muted rhythm and gentle percussion, along with the round bass lines, create a romantic underpinning for the haunting melody.
"YURI GAGARIN" Russian Cosmonaut "Yuri Gagarin" is immortalized in this instrumental. Perhaps a bit like early Laika and the Cosmonauts, the song is decidedly European, yet has a surfable sound.
"R.I.P." Unlisted at the end of the disc, is a beautiful and atmospheric song that floats on a sea of reverb and mist. Great percussion and moodiness.
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
