THE HORMONAUTS were formed in 1999 and right from the start they stood out from the crowd, touring all over Italy with their own particular style, open to any musical influence. If rockabilly was the main ingredient, they mixed it freely with the aggressiveness of punk-rock, the danceable lightness of ska and rocksteady, even some country'n'western ballads, but without ever losing sight of their own characteristic irony!
The band was born from the ten-year experience of Sasso, one of the most respected double-bass players on the European circuit; Pinna, one of the finest drummers who exploded from the punk/hardcore scene; Andy, part of the historic Mutoid Waste Company, a rambling Scotsman, country/punk/rockabilly fanatic and singer/guitarist of the band.
Their first releases were Hormone Hop (2001 Voodoo Rhythm Records), followed by Mini Skirt (2003 Ammonia Records) and Hormone Airlines (2004 V2 Records). The band started to rack up some hits under their belt. The single and video of their electro-country version of 'Staying Alive' became a radio and TV hit, while the band opened for the live shows of Manu Chao, The Cramps, Rancid and appeared at major festivals in Italy.
Hormonized is their fourth album (2005 V2 Records) and features their radio hit and unusual version of The Knack's 'My Sharona'.
Their incessant touring set the peninsula ablaze and the band began to break through in Europe, thanks to the release of their latest album in Belgium, Holland and Germany. In 2007 they played at SXSW in Austin, Texas and at Eurosonic in Groningen, Holland, where they were sent to represent Italy.
At the end of 2007 the band entered the studio to record their fifth album Spanish Omelette, this time working with London-based Kenny Diezel, who is one of the first Mutoids and founder of L.S.Diezel. This fusion of experimental-dub and electronica with country, blues and rock'n'roll results in a very unique and surprising cocktail of ...electrobilly! In June 2008 Spanish Omelette was released and the band embarked on another successful summer tour.
In November their version of the Bee Gees' 'Staying Alive' was used for the French film "J'irai Dormir a' Hollywood", distributed by the Disney Group and quickly becoming a big success in French cinemas. The song is also used as trailer for the film.
2009 began with Spanish Omelette being released in Japan by Art Union/U- Pop Records. In September 2009, Go Down Records reissued The Hormonauts' first four albums in two different CD box sets, called Two Is Mei Che One. Volume #1 contains Hormone Hop and Mini-Skirt. Volume #2 contains Hormone Airlines and Hormonized. Both releases feature a very special bonus track: 'Tre Notti Di Fila', the band's first ever song with Italian lyrics.
In 2010 Go Down Records released 13 Flight Rock, the sixth and last album by The Hormonauts.
LINE-UP
Andy MacFarlane | vocals, guitar
Sasso Battaglia | double bass
Mattia 'Pinna' De Paola | drums
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