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| Bio of the Artist |
DOWNKISS
BIOGRAPHY
The band’s first unit was formed in San Giovanni Valdarno in May 2004 by:
Mirko “Sunny” Sanni – guitar
Enrico “Zappa” Zappalorti – drums
Mattia Dori – bass
The boys intended to compose and play their own songs only without any specific reference genre other than simply rock music.
The band was to have a female singer and short name containing the words “down” and “kiss”, so they united them, making up “Downkiss”, a word that gives space to the most fervent immaginations.
In November 2004 the american singer Joann Pate joins the band and a very inspired and productive period begins.
On December 30th 2004 Downkiss perform for the first time in public presenting an hour of original repertoire and obtaining a good reaction from the audience.
In February 2005 the band records a 6 track EP called “I’m so speechless” at Parsifal Studio in Sesto Fiorentino (FI) mixed by Federico “Fefo” Forconi – now Malfunk’s and formerly Toxic Reasons’ (USA) guitar player.
In January 2006 Downkiss play at Cencio’s Club, one of the most important rock clubs in Italy.
In April 2006 the collaboration with Carlo Bellotti’s management and promotion agency Alkemist-Fanatix Europe, begins.
In November 2006 the guitarist leaves the band and Gianni “Zono” Mugnai, who had already played in the crossover band Streets of Violence togheter with Joann, takes his place.
In December 2006 also the drummer is replaced by Andrea “Buddy” Brogi, a percussion student at the Conservatoire with various experiences in funky, jazz, bossanova, samba, and classical ensembles.
In February 2007 the band signs a contract with Fernando del Regno’s label Hurricane Shiva Records.
In June 2007 Downkiss take part and win the “ArteMusica Contest”.
In July that same year the production of “Push me to the calculating madness”, the band’s first official alum, begins.
The music is recorded and mixed at Luca Tonni’s Trade Digital Records Studio in Montale (PT), while the vocal parts are recorded and arranged by Federico “Fefo” Forconi at Fefoland in Florence.
The LP, is available in Italy from May 2008 dstributed by Andromeda, and in Europe and World widely from June the 2nd 2008 distributed by the british Plastic Head and Code7.
In December 2008 Ciro Scarpati (formerly drummer from the surf / rockabilly band "the Bavadoodo") replaces Andrea Brogi after his leaving the band for personal reasons.
In March 2009 the band play at Hoodoo Music Club in Terranuova Bracciolini (AR) sharing the stage with Pino Scotto (formerly vocalist of Vanadium) and in August that same year Downkiss play at “The spirit of Woodstock festival” in Mirapuri-Coiromonte (NO) sharing the stage with Michel Montecrossa and the Chosen Few and at “Full Moon Party” in Laterina (AR) in an inedit acoustic version sharing the stage with “Ushi Laar Trio”.
In July 2009 Downkiss take part in the “Bye Bye July Contest” finishing at the second place.
In 2009 Downkiss take part also in the “Tour Music Fest”.
In October 2009 Downkiss sign a contract with M&M booking and promotion for the recording of the band's first official video released in January 2010, visible on all the websites of the group and on youtube, and for the organization of a series of concerts in Italy.
In November 2009 the Italian-american Eugenio Rizzo replaces Ciro Scarpati that leaves the band to follow other musical ways.
Thanks to a good use of the internet and of the various music channels on the network, Downkiss managed to get around them a good number of fans, arriving in a few months (from July 2009, when the official mailing list of the band has been created, to December 2009) to over 1000 subscribers to their mailing list from all over the world and getting hundreds of positive comments and appreciations.
DOWNKISS ARE:
JOANN PATE – VOCALS
GIANNI MUGNAI – GUITAR, BACKING VOCALS
MATTIA DORI – BASS, BACKING VOCALS
EUGENIO RIZZO – DRUMS |
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