Below are the bands that have been announced to date for NEARfest 2008. Use the icon to read a brief biography of each band, check out the personnel that will be performing, and listen to exclusive MP3s approved by the bands. Go to the Schedule page to view the sequence and set lengths for the weekend.
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Country: ITALY Style: SYMPHONIC |
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The mighty PFM... The beauty and power of the music from this classic Italian band help start what became known as the classic Italian prog movement. Premiata Forneria Marconi was officially formed in Milan in 1970 when the members of Quelli met Mauro Pagani from the group Dalton. Pagani helped the group expand their sound to include violin and flute. By this time they were already highly experienced musicians and easily able to play the kind of complex progressive heavy rock played by the leading English and American groups. With such classic Italian albums as "Storia di un minuto," "Per un Amico" and "L'isola di niente" as well as later works such as "Chocolate Kings" and "Jet Lag," PFM cemented themselves a place in progressive rock history.
Franz Di Cioccio, drums and vocals
Franco Mussida, acoustic and electric guitar Patrick Djivas, bass Lucio Fabbri, violin, keyboards Gianluca Tagliavini, piano, Hammond, Mini-Moog Piero Monterisi, additional drums
(MP3 downloads to be posted soon)
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Country: UNITED STATES Style: SYMPH/FUSION |
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Born out of the ashes of the seminal progressive favorite Happy the Man and Baltimore-based heroes Illuvatar, Oblivion Sun brings together long-time bandmates Stan Whitaker and Frank Wyatt into the next phase of their musical partnership. Oblivion Sun has created a powerful, dynamic sound that aims to satisfy fans of many musical forms. If the first batch of Oblivious Sun tunes are any indication, this is a band that's not afraid to get downright funky at times and throw down some serious rock grooves and even improv! Expect a good deal of vocal content as well, and fear not, this is still progressive rock and fans of Happy the Man's lush arrangements will not be disappointed! With a sophomore effort in the works, the band expects to eclipse the critical success of their self-titled debut. As a live act, they are nothing short of jaw dropping, their gigs meet with the highest reviews.
Stan Whitaker, guitar, vocals
Frank Wyatt, keyboards, saxophone Bill Plummer, keyboards Chris Mack, drums Dave DeMarco, bass |
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