D.F.A.

The music of Italian progressive rock band D.F.A. became increasingly complex in the years following the group's formation. While their early repertoire, composed by drummer/vocalist Alberto DeGrandis, inspired comparisons to British space rock bands, including Gentle Giant and Pink Floyd, their later material was enlivened by polyrhythms, cascading chord progressions, and jazz influences. Formed in Verona, Italy as a trio featuring DeGrandis, bassist Luca Baldassari, and keyboard player Roberto Tommasini, D.F.A. were quickly expanded by the addition of guitarist Silvio Minella. Recording a demo, Trip on Metro, in 1995, D.F.A. caught the attention of Deus Ex Machina vocalist Alberto Piras, who agreed to produce their debut CD, Lavori in Corso. Before the album was completed, however, the band experienced numerous changes. With Tommasini replaced by keyboardist/vocalist Alberto Bonomi, the group elected to rewrite the previously recorded tracks and re-record them with DeGrandis and Bonomi sharing lead vocals. After issuing Lavori in Corso on their own independent label, D.F.A. released their second album, Duty Free Area, in October 1998 on the Italian Mellow imprint. D.F.A.'s American debut, at NEARfest at Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 2000, was recorded and an album, Work in Progress Live, was released in 2001. In 2007 the MoonJune label released Kaleidoscope, a two-CD set consisting of Lavori in Corso and Duty Free Area remastered in their entirety, plus three live bonus tracks. D.F.A. next issued the Canterbury-inspired 4th, also on MoonJune, in 2008. However, despite returning to North America for two festival shows in 2009 (a second NEARfest appearance and a performance at FMPM in Montreal), D.F.A. subsequently disbanded due to the bandmembers' other commitments to family and work. Tragically, keyboardist Alberto Bonomi was killed at the age of 48 in an automobile accident in his hometown of Verona, Italy on June 26, 2011.
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