I first Met Matt Kirby , drummer of Italian Alternative rockers Hi Fi Stacy through a mutual friend, the one and only Rob ‘Laney’, Lane when I ran the Tap n Tumbler 2 or 3 years ago and we really hit it off and connected immediately, having the same passion for writing and playing original music. We have kept in touch ever since and have been planning to gig together on the same bill ….. well that day hath finally cometh! His band and Knives’ will play in ‘the attic’ at Ye Olde Salutation Inn , Nottingham on Thursday 27th September when HFS are touring the UK once again, also joined by Noose, another local rock n roll melodic punk band who regularly rip up a stage!
I interviewed Matt recently to get some background about their journey.
Craig:
When did the master plan for the ‘Italian Job’ all begin?
Matt:
Well, the band started in 2014 but we never had the right chemistry with the first lineup to be honest. You know when it’s right, but it just didn’t work out.
To cut a long story short, we wrote a few songs together and then disbanded.
After struggling for few months me and Ele (vocals) found the right guys in early 2015 and it was just like boom ! that’s it! . It was the HI FI STACY vision we had been hoping for.
It’s important to remember that we come from a very small town in Italy, Padua, and we don’t have too many rock musicians here to chose from, but we weren’t looking for just players, we wanted them to have an attitude for a rock show, and we found Jack on bass and Mattia on Guitar.
Craig:
So, for people who haven’t had the pleasure of how tight and passionate HFS are live, what can the audience expect on the 27th Sept?
Matt:
Our music is very much influenced by modern female fronted rock acts, like Halestorm, and The Pretty Reckless but of course, we grew up listening to some heavy weight classics like Led Zeppelin, Ozzy, Van Halen and Motley Crue and so hopefully that classic vibe will come through here and there.
Craig: I know this isn’t your first time touring here and i guess it’s very tough to afford to travel to a foreign land, not to mention trying to pull a crowd that realistically are strangers to your music, so I’m guessing you just love the ‘buzz’?
Matt:
Coming to England is ALWAYS a pleasure, for a very simple reason…. People in the UK like rock music and you have proper venues for it with people/ club owners who are always polite with us… it’s very encouraging!
Craig: so you’ve clearly done some networking over the years?
Matt: Yes, this will be our 4th time in the UK and it was terrific last year to see people in the audience singing our songs.
We’re an independent band ….we don’t rely on record companies, we have a couple of cds out and we’re doing what every band does or should do …working our asses off every day! Rock and roll is a battlefield so we’re just trying to reach more and more people every year and meet new friends. HfS is not just a job… it’s our life!
Craig:
How’s the live music scene in Italy?
Matt:
We have pretty good bands tucked away in their rehearsal rooms and “not so good” bands thinking they are Kiss. It’s hard to book gigs, you can play a small bar and the next week you’re in a big club, it’s really inconsistent….you have to take what you can get.
Summer festivals show every year that Punk rock, Hard rock, and Heavy Metal are very much alive but the mainstream doesn’t seem to care much about it.
Craig: What do you make of the current line ups?
Matt:
It’s good to see Guns and Roses play again, but, don’t get me wrong, I would love to see new Icons, so it’s important that people support local underground music scenes by going out having a beer and listening to some good original live music.
Craig: What shows are booked for your next visit?
Our gigs in the UK will be on 27th of september at The Old Salutation Inn Nottingham , 28th at Woolpack Live in Doncaster, 29th at Trillians in Newcastle, and our 4th gig will be at The Latch Lifter in Ilkeston on 1st of October.
by Craig S#Weir
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