Area (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Area was an Italian jazz fusion and progressive rock group formed in 1972. They were known for their left-wing Socialist and Communist lyrics.

1 History
2 Members
- 2.1 1973
- 2.2 1974
3 Discography
4 External links

[edit] History

Area grew to be one of the most respected and important bands of the blooming 70s Italian progressive rock scene.

The youth of the time was able to identify with their socialist lyrics and Area soon grew to prominence, also because the band was founded on a strong and virtuosic musicianship. For aficionados of Italian progressive rock, their debut album Arbeit Macht Frei is considered a classic.

The band was led by Demetrio Stratos, a highly original and talented Greek-born singer who used his voice as an instrument. Area's sound was an odd mish-mash, drawing from rock, jazz, Eastern and Arabic music, and it was this blend of all sorts of music that made the band stand out. Early in the day Area had prominent saxophone work from Victor Busnello, but when he left along with bassist Patrick Djivas (replaced by Ares Tavolazzi), the Area sound became more guitar and keyboard oriented.

Area released four studio albums and one live album before Demetrio Stratos's untimely death in 1979. The group was then disbanded, but reappeared as Area II in the mid 1980s, although this was in fact a project by Area drummer Giulio Capiozzo with session musicians. It released two albums between 1986-87. Patrizio Fariselli joined Area II in 1997 for the album Chernobyl 9771. This group toured until its split in 1999. Capiozzo died a year later.