Often called America’s answer to Black Sabbath, one of the most
unsung bands in the history of US hard rock music, BANG, is back! With
the heaviness of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, coupled with the groove
of Grand Funk Railroad, BANG released three critically acclaimed albums
on Capitol Records in the early 1970s before disappearing into
obscurity for a number of years. Says original drummer and founding
member Tony Diorio, “Basically we’re back to finish what was started a
long time ago and cut short by forces out of our control.”
The 1971 self-titled debut album ‘BANG’ is considered an important
forerunner to the early Doom Metal genre. Undoubtedly one of America’s
heaviest ‘proto-metal’ bands from the period, BANG also had a strong
sense of melodic power. The band’s versatility and songwriting skills
are second to none. Highly regarded as a cult act by many for years,
it’s now time for this truly amazing rock band to be enjoyed by a new
audience worldwide!
Back in the spring of 1972, BANG was shaping up to be the proverbial
‘next big thing’. Signed a few months earlier to Capitol Records, the
band’s first single “Questions” was taking off in the Billboard Hot 100.
With the enthusiastic support of their record label, the trio’s
self-titled debut album was also climbing in the charts. The group’s
management had them opening shows for just about every major band of the
era. Moreover, BANG had recently opened for their all time favorite
band Black Sabbath, and by common consensus of opinion, stole the show!
With two band members, guitarist Frank Gilcken and lead singer/bassist
Frank Ferrara, still in their teens, and drummer/lyricist Tony Diorio,
BANG seemed to be unstoppable!
Somehow, though, it didn’t quite work out. Even as “Questions” was
charting, a corporate shakeup at Capitol saw the band’s supporters
moving on and replaced by A&R men who had their own signings to
promote. With the band’s producer, Michael Sunday, also leaving the
label, BANG’s support system was crumbling. Their new producer
engineered a change in personnel that led to drummer/lyricist Tony
Diorio’s departure. Meanwhile, the label insisted that BANG develop a
more mainstream, pop oriented sound. Trying to keep the dream alive,
they changed management companies, only to discover that they were being
blacklisted, making gigs scarce. With a much more commercial approach,
the group released a 3rd album, ‘BANG Music’ in 1973, which, although
did contain some great songs and performances, failed to chart. By 1974,
just a couple of years after their initial success, a tired and
disillusioned BANG had lost their direction, momentum and self-belief.
They went their separate ways.
Despite the relative briefness of their career, BANG left behind a
powerful recorded legacy: four albums, including their unreleased 1971
concept album ‘Death Of A Country’, as well as a trio of non-album
tracks that were recorded as singles when their deal with Capitol was
about to expire. In 1996, much to everyone’s surprise, BANG reunited!
The band recorded and released in 1998 a new album titled ‘Return To
Zero’, with the more metal-oriented album titled ‘The Maze’ (featuring
new versions of old favorites “Love Sonnet” and “Bow To The King”)
following in 2004, proving once again that the band still had the magic
that made them great back in the early 70′s!
And now, much to the excitement of their fans, BANG is preparing to
play live in 2014! The group is currently rehearsing for shows in the
new year. Says Tony, “We will be webcasting all our shows and fans can
sign up in our forum to be notified of dates.” Frank Ferrara adds, “The
three of us realized that BANG was still a musical force. And even
though a lot of years have passed, we were writing songs as if it were
yesterday. The dream is alive, and with renewed thirst and love of the
music, we are resuming our quest.” With drummer Matt Calvarese, and the
Franks, the band will remain a three piece, sounding just like the
records!
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