Puneet Varma (Editor)

Bomba (band)

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Origin
  
Melbourne, Australia

Years active
  
1999–present

Genres
  
Reggae, Funk

Labels
  
Transmitter

Members
  
Nicky Bomba, Mal Webb, George Servanis, Michael Caruana, Paul Coyle, Dorian West

Bomba are an Australian funk and reggae band from Melbourne. Led by Maltese-Australian Nicky Bomba, they are renowned internationally for their "energetic live shows and passionate performances", although they are more popular at home. They have released four albums, the latest of which is Bomba Vs. Laroz. They also feature on the CD Stir Music with the track "Hold Your Ground".

Contents

History

Bomba grew out of the band 'The Overtones' which formed in 1997. The line up of the Overtones, which subsequently became the original Bomba personnel, was Nicky Bomba on guitar, percussion and vocals; Simon Burke on keyboards; Paul Coyle on trumpet, flugelhorn, percussion and vocals; Barry Deenick on bass guitar and vocals; Mal Webb on trombone and vocals; Phil Bywater on alto and tenor saxophones and clarinet; and George Servanis on drums, percussion and vocals. The group released Population in 2000. Australian music journalist, Ed Nimmervoll described the album as "delightfully eclectic, bridging the previously unrelated gap between reggae and big band music". Their second album, Solar Plexus, appeared on Transmitter Records in 2002. By about 2003, the lineup had settled as Nicky Bomba on guitar, theremin, percussion and vocals; his brother Michael Caruana on keyboards, percussion and vocals; Paul Coyle on trumpet, trombone, flugelhorn, percussion and vocals; Dorian West on bass guitar, trumpet, flugelhorn, guitar, theremin, percussion and vocals; Pete Mitchell on tenor and baritone saxophone, guitar, percussion and vocals; and George Servanis on drums, percussion and vocals. In 2005 they released their third album, Learn to Breathe.

Touring

  • In 2002 undertook national tour, 'Rocksteady Tour', with Joe Camilleri and George Rrurrambu
  • In 2002 undertook European Tour (the Netherlands, Germany, Malta) with George Rrurrambu including workshops and festival performances. (International Pathways Grant)
  • Voted Best Band at Queenscliff Music Festival in 2003
  • Performed on National Festival Circuit Fairbridge Festival, East Coast Blues & Roots Music Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Apollo Bay Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Spiegeltent, Adelaide Fringe Festival, Melbourne International Arts Festival (along with Michael Franti and Spearhead and Roachford), Kalgoolie, Falls Festival
  • Bomba songs appear on TV; Neighbours, Home and Away and Secret Life of Us
  • Toured Nationally as support to John Butler Trio
  • Opened the 2004 Adelaide Fringe Festival 2004
  • In 2004 headlined the Apollo Bay Music Festival, Narooma Great Southern Blues and Rockabilly Festival and performed at the first official Reggae Sunsplash in Singapore
  • National Australian tour to promote Learn to Breathe with Dereb as support
  • Toured nationally in support of UB40
  • In 2005 the band performed at Bluesfest, Pyramid Rock Festival, Queenscliff Music Festival and Apollo Bay festival
  • Undertook a tour of the UK Tour with Dereb Desalegn including performance at WOMAD UK
  • Performed at Federation Square on New Year's Eve
  • Undertook a tour of New Caledonia .. Kanaky Music exploration
  • Undertook national tour for Tasmania logging protest song "Hold Your Ground"

    • The band

    Bomba contains 6 members. They are:

  • Nicky Bomba: Guitar, Theremin, Percussion and vocals
  • Paul Coyle: Trumpet, Trombone, Flugelhorn, percussion and vocals
  • Dorian West: Bass, Trumpet, Flugelhorn, Guitar, Theremin, percussion and vocals
  • Pete Mitchell: Tenor, Baritone Saxophone, Guitar, percussion and vocals
  • George Servanis: drums, percussion and vocals
  • Michael Caruana: keyboards, percussion and vocals

    • Albums

  • Population - Mushroom Music (BOMB04) (9 April 2000)
  • Solar Plexus - Transmitter Records (TRFIG123) (1 February 2002)
  • Learn to Breathe - Transmitter Records (TRCAQ777) (21 March 2005)
  • Bomba Vs. Laroz - Transmitter Records (TRLAR7001) (4 September 2006)

    • EPs

  • Speed of Sound - Mushroom/Control (1 February 2001)

    • Songs

    Train to SkavilleSpeed of Sound · 2001
    Golden WeddingPopulation · 2000
    Mr AccordionPopulation · 2000

    References

    Bomba (band) Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA