Roy Bianco and His Merry Accompanyists - What team do you support during the European Championships?
The Aperol Spritz is refreshing, Italian flags are fluttering: Roy Bianco & Die Abbrunzati Boys (R. B. & D. A. B.) drop their third album on May 31st. With "Kult," they take their supporters on a trip back into their realm of Italian schlagers. Regarding the album's title, Roy Bianco states in an interview with spot on news, "It's a complex term that carries significant religious and spiritual weight, but it can also be devoid of meaning and frivolous." He continues, "It's an intriguing contradiction, and our band mirrors this tension. Our group fluctuates between piety and frivolity, humor, and serious intent. Polarizing." The phrase "cult" represents "an unparalleled devotion, yet others might vehemently reject it - it's the perfect title for our album."
Furthermore, Zanti asserts, "We've always been a step ahead of the media." The guitarist-singer behind Die Abbrunzati Boys also reveals, "We knew our debut would be known as 'Greatest Hits.' And now that we've realized we're a cult band, we'll write about it ourselves first." Since their inception in 2016, Roy Bianco & Die Abbrunzati Boys have maintained a self-deprecating approach to their audience. Zanti explains, "Even the name 'Die Abbrunzati Boys' is a joke, with just one guy playing guitar." Adding to their humor, their backstory paints them as a band founded in 1982, in Sirmione on Lake Garda, before their alleged "dissolution" in 1997.
The Augsburg and Munich-based group, consisting of Ralph Rubin (keyboard), Eisensepp (bass), Bungo Jonas (drums), and Blechkofler (trumpet), takes inspiration from Schweizer Schlager legends such as Udo Jürgens, Vicky Leandros, and Caterina Valente. Additionally, they draw from contemporaries like Bilderbuch and Wanda. As cult icons themselves, they become reluctant to reveal their influences. According to Roy Bianco, "We've been fascinated by Schlager since our childhood. It's the enduring legacy of these legends that drives us, as well as the groups that preceded us in the Austrian rock scene."
Italian melodies and culture encompass the essence of R. B. & D. A. B.'s performances. Although different regions of the country offer different attractions, the musician clarifies, "Italy's diversity provides endless options, from its landscapes to its history, culture, and cuisine. However, there's far more to it: Italy is a blend of yin and yang. We spend a lot of time in the south, where the energy of Rome resonates powerfully. For me, Italy's northern regions attract more. Since we're synonymous with 'Bella Napoli,' 'Vino Rosso,' and 'Dolce Vita,' we couldn't resist taking journeys to Greece and Britain for this album, resulting in 'Santorin' and 'Goodbye, Arrivederci.'" Zanti adds, "German Schlager enthusiastically explored Italy and Greece in their music. Emulating this practice, we felt it crucial to tour the Cyclades to pay tribute to our influences, like Udo Jürgens and Vicky Leandros."
Inspired by Italy's beauty and enduring history, the group's exploration of the UK was a visual choice for the album. "The city portrays the Dolce Vita as well," explains Roy Bianco. "However, we did not record the song in London, as it only features in the video. In a serendipitous event, we were invited to record at the iconic Abbey Road Studios where the Beatles recorded. IT felt like an overwhelming experience." From their trips, the band incorporated various cultural styles into their music, adopting Britpop in London and returning to the pastel suite style in Greece. "Fashion plays a pivotal role in Italo-Schlager, so we incorporate our outfits according to the themes of our songs," confirms Zanti. "Bungo Jonas especially has an impeccable sense of style, and with collaborations at the Volkstheater [in Munich], we've accrued a vast library of costumes for our performances. We're proud of that."
In a playful tribute to Italy's abundant history, R. B. & D. A. B. draws on both cultural diversities. Roy Bianco notes, "Our musical journey complements the transformative nature of Italy." This leading into the brand new release, "Kult," which captures the essence of Italo-Schlager's eternal influence that continues to evolve. "It's paradoxical that the same core elements can be simultaneously history and innovation," observes the forthcoming album. This dualistic story marks a pivotal moment in music, melding rich traditions with 21st-century musicianship. "We're beyond thrilled with how the album has turned out," adds Roy Bianco. "Our music explores a rich, layered adventure: as expected of a cult band."
"Musical group Kult will showcase their band in different ways in the coming weeks. They'll have a Dolby Atmos quality sounding performance on June 3rd at the Munich Mathäser Filmpalast. Zanti explains, "Given that we've spent over a year recording our album at Abbey Road Studios and Trixx Studios in Berlin, it's appropriate to have a grand event where we can truly enjoy the album with our fans in high quality." Additionally, the band is holding two release shows in Italy on June 7th and 8th at a location described as "fitting and worthy of an Italian Schlager-cult release show." These concerts at the gardens of Schloss Trauttmansdorff in Meran sold out quickly even for the cult-favorite band, surprising them as fans eagerly awaited the event. Roy Bianco states, "This kind of pre-sale frenzy from our fans constantly amazes us." As the fall approaches, Kult plans to perform in large halls, including dates at the Munich Olympiahalle and edel optics Arena in Hamburg.
Concerning the perfect R.B. & D. A. B. show, Roy Bianco states, "Our concerts are a fifty-fifty event. If the audience is engaged, we can put on a great performance too." He continues, "When the audience is exceptional, so are we. It's a compelling relationship when we all create an unforgettable moment. And that's what we aim for." Engagement is held as a significant value, something both R.B. & D. A. B. and other Schlager artists should embody, according to the band. "There are artists like Helene Fischer who showcase their attitude, which is just as crucial," Roy Bianco adds. "Pop music, being something that's socially accessible, should take a stand more. You shouldn't hide behind conventionalities or the genre itself like some may. But being responsible as a big artist in society is significant."
In terms of their music, the band envisions restoring dignity to it, reminiscent of the powerful tradition of live performances. Roy Bianco comments, "We view ourselves as a modern Schlager band, rather than being electronically produced like most Schlager in the 80s and 90s. Music should be authentic."
R.B. & D.A.B. creates their music with a rock and roll spirit, not taking the label too seriously. "We fall under the Italian Schlager umbrella, which includes everything by Roy Bianco & Die Abbrunzati Boys. It's a vast and versatile field," says the guitarist. "We've produced rock anthems and even samba music in the past."
The band is open to various types of shows inviting them, with Roy Bianco mentioning, "We're available for different programs. I'd love to see the Garden Show this summer. Maybe Kiwi will reach out to us (laughs)." They're also open to Eurovision Song Contest participation but are content with their current schedule. "It's conceivable, but we're quite busy with our roster, so for now, we'll just skip such gigs, which are extremely time-consuming," he concludes. "Regardless, we're confident in our music and the emotions it evokes."
Regarding the Euro 2022 European Championship, their Italian fanbase is torn. Roy Bianco considers, "The group stage is the most enjoyable part of international soccer tournaments for me. It's exciting to see smaller teams play against each other, games you wouldn't usually pay attention to." Zanti then suggests, "I think we can show support for the German national team this time around after all these years of nothing out of the ordinary. The Italians won the European Championship in 2021, so we can cheer for Germany with good intentions."
Did the band find the time for the EM games? "I believe we have a festival or two happening during that period," says Zanti. "However, if Germany is playing, we won't be on stage." Their booking agent took care of that, Zanti adds. According to Roy Bianco, R. B. & D. A. B. had also desired to include an EM song on their upcoming album but couldn't due to a massive number of tracks. In a different reality, in a parallel dimension, the song might be playing on the radio by now. But, it could still be released two years later.
