People may wonder, "What happens in Sicily, Italy that I should know about?" Many things to be sure. Of course, there's the age old institution of the mafiosi, but supposedly people are slowly starting to fight back. Even some, ahem, politicians. All this is true if you read National Geographic.

You may want to ask Uzeda about that subject. They too are from Sicily. Many native Italians think that Sicily should indeed be kicked out into the Mediterranean by the boot that is Italy. Should this actually occur the city of Catania, where Uzeda hail from, would be the point of contact.

Uzeda take their name from a gateway leading into one of the oldest parts of Catania, which is located on the slopes of active volcano Mount Etna. This may explain the explosive sound that is Uzeda. Originally a five piece, they may now be a typical guitar, bass, drum, vocal set up but they  work at a different angle. Somewhat similar to the effect used on old Batman episodes when the camera was tilted sideways 30 degress. The first thing you notice is Giovanna's voice, as she has that desperate in your face delivery. Immediately followed by the bass and drums, which pound out of the speakers and onto your lap - the way they should sound!! Over that lays Agostino's guitar, playing off the rest of the band and sticking in your skull.

Uzeda has been a band since 1987. Previous to this they have released three albums. Their first, Out Of Colours, in October of '91 started life is a demo when the band recorded 12 songs in 3 days. Their second, Waters, was recorded by Steve Albini who made a special trip to Catania to work with the band. He was paid mostly in food. Both albums were released on the Italian A.V. Arts label. Their third, released as part of the Peel Sessions series, features seven tracks that the band recorded for John in May of 94 during a short UK tour.

In February of '95 the band travelled to Ian Burgess' Black Box Studio in France to record with Steve Albini. Having totalled their van when the engine melted on their way to their second Peel Session in November '94, the band were forced to find a cheap alternative form of travel. The round trip by train took them 57 hours. The recording for 4 took 36.

Uzeda are most definitely a "live band", they have over 300 shows to their name - all the more impressive when you see where they are on the map. They have played the length and breath of Europe with everyone from Bastro and Fugazi through Lush and The Jesus Lizard to the Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. They also once shared a stage with Blur but maybe we wont mention that bit.

Look for a full length album sometime in '97.

 

Uzeda:
Giovanna Cacciola - vocals
Raffaele Gulisano - bass
Davide Oliveri - drums
Agostino Tilotta - guitar