For 28 years, the band LOS FASTIDIOS, founded in Verona, has been around.
Antifascist, leftist, engaged, and with their hearts in the right place.
By now, you can see a bit of age on singer Enrico. However, that doesn't stop him and his bandmates from continuously touring across Europe for years. I can hardly think of a band that has toured as much in the last three years as this one. Whether it's a festival, a large hall, or an AJZ, they play almost everywhere and are internationally active. On stage, they still have almost the same energy as in their early days and can still captivate audiences.
Musically rooted clearly in Oi and classic streetpunk, the band has significantly expanded its stylistic range over the years. A lot of ska and reggae has been added. Additionally, some rocksteady, punk rock, and melodic kick-ass rock have found their way into the songs.
Now, with JOY JOY JOY, their new work is being released. Packaged in a really beautiful digipack with a booklet. It is the band's tenth album (if you count a live album, or the ninth studio album).
There are thirteen songs on the album. Seven of those songs were created with external support. Special highlights include the song “Schönen Cafe“ featuring Dirk and Elf from Slime, as well as “I have a dream“ feat. Paul Heaton (The Housemartins & The Beautiful South).
In many ways, it has become a special album and stylistically perhaps the most diverse. Oi, streetpunk, a lot of ska and reggae paired with punk, and also the wonderfully cheerful rocksteady number “Joy Joy Joy“ showcase the band's versatility. It is almost a kind of best-of or, if you will, a cross-section of their previous work, their life's work.
Because of this, it is an album that might have a bit of a hard time, as it does not follow a clear musical line, like, for example, “Rebel´n´Revels“. However, and I want to emphasize this, the band remains true to itself on this album. Lyrically, they are still in tune with the times, as the lines from “It´s time“ prove:
It´s time to come back,
it´s time to be strong,
it´s time to come back in the streets again.
Please don´t think it´s too late,
Please don´t think you have nothing to say.
Lyrically similar is “Schönen Cafe“, although perhaps not quite as smooth, but rather a bit stiff and wooden, yet the message is clear: It´s time to come back!
Let’s take back the streets. Here and everywhere, and let’s stand together.
Because we all have this dream...deep in our hearts...a peaceful world, freedom and no war...today stronger than ever!
