Band Aid (Italian band)
| Company type | Musical group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1980 in Lecce, Italy |
| Founder | Toni Robertini, Giacomo Toriano (Mino), Francesco Nemola (Frank), Felice De Donno, Roberto Gagliardi, Paolo Cesano |
| Headquarters | Lecce , Italy |
| Products | Albums, EPs, singles |
Band Aid was an Italian musical group established in Lecce in 1980.
History
The band Band Aid originated in Lecce in 1980, founded by Toni Robertini, Giacomo Toriano (Mino), Francesco Nemola (Frank), Felice De Donno, Roberto Gagliardi, and Paolo Cesano. Its roots trace back to La Mela d'Oro, a 1976 ensemble that combined Mediterranean Jazz with traditional Salento music. Drawing inspiration from the Canterbury scene, no wave, Frank Zappa, and free jazz, their early work focused mainly on instrumental pieces until the arrival of American vocalist Arthur Miles.
In the same year of their formation, Band Aid made history as the first Italian band to independently produce an LP titled No Autostop. This album was recorded at home using a 4-track tape recorder and distributed through Italian Records Service. They characterized their musical approach as "No-Jazz".
After moving to Bologna in 1981, they produced their second album, Due, which was also released by Italian Records. During this period, they took part in the Electra 1 festival, sharing the stage with Bauhaus, Peter Gordon, Lounge Lizards, DNA, and Magazzini Criminali.
Their instrumental sound departed from conventional rock conventions except for rhythmic aspects and carved out a distinctive niche within the new wave genre. In 1983, Band Aid featured in five episodes of RAI-Radio3's live series "Un certo discorso" and toured Sardinia alongside Litfiba to promote emerging Italian music.
As Italian Records shifted its focus toward dance and Italo disco, Band Aid released the EP A Tour in Italy, produced by Oderso Rubini. This record introduced vocals for the first time—incorporating English language lessons and a French gibberish rap—while Side B was remixed by American DJ Tony Carrasco. The EP enjoyed moderate success as the group aimed to reach a wider audience before disbanding in 1985.
In 1993, a CD titled "Live Tree" featuring previously unreleased live performances was released.
In 2019, Mino Toriano began composing and producing BandAid 2020, which came out in 2021 and included contributions from Roberto Gagliardi, Felice De Donno, Frank Nemola, along with digitally enhanced parts from Toni Robertini.
A live reunion concert is scheduled for December 2024 in Lecce.
Former Members
- Mino Toriano – guitar, bass guitar
- Frank Nemola – trumpet, synthesizer
- Toni Robertini, Roberto Gagliardi – saxophone, flute
- Felice De Donno – bass guitar
- Luciano Graffi – bass guitar
- Ignazio Orlando – bass guitar
- Paolo Cesano – drums
- Fabio Sorti – drums
- Sergio Piccinini – drums
- Arthur Miles – vocals
- Giovanni Chirico – saxophone
- Massimiliano Ingrosso – drums
Albums
- 1980 – No Autostop (Italian Records Service, TIXE 002)
- 1981 – Due (Italian Records, EXIT 908)
- 1983 – A Tour in Italy (EP, 12") (Italian Records, EXIT M506)
- 1993 – Live Tree (live album, CD) (CV, BA01)
- 2021 – 2020 (CD) (Streetz Records, BA001)
Singles
- 1983 – "A Tour in Italy" (7") (Bellaphone Germany, 100–07–298)