ON-OFF

ON-OFF born in 1999 when MATTEO VAGO decided to start a band with a simple and essential sound: “We need only guitar, cable, amp and On/Off button” says the founder. Only in 2009, however, the band entered in studio to record their debut album RIBCRASHER, which will be published on 1 February 2010. The album includes 10 tracks of genuine rock’n’roll, with AC/DC and ’70 Rock roots. ON-OFF project spring up in 1999, but the band, from 2002 to 2008, become increasingly popular in northern Italy and Switzerland as faithful AC/DC Tribute, participating in many and renowned Festivals/Open-Air and live-clubs. The idea of the tribute-band (initially a big news as regards the live-music scene of those years) was born as a source of live experiences and funds for the debut album’s production; in the role of the tribute the band seems several lineup changes, that inexorably gettin’ slow that creative process of composition usually guaranteed by unity of musicians. The group sees the alternation of different drummers, bassists and guitarists, among which are also the names of LORENZO MILANI, drummer of UDO (2000/2004) and, for some gigs, JGOR GIANOLA, ex-member of GOTTHARD, UDO (1998/2013) and actually guitarist of CORE LEONI. By the end of 2008, with line-up stability, finally began that process of transformation of the group focused on the production of original songs with MATTEO on vocals and guitar. The 2010’s RIBCRASHER album was recorded with the collaboration of PAOLO DAL BROI (producer of the italian punk-rock band PUNKREAS, one of the bestsellers punk-rock band in Italy) and GIORGIO ANDREOLI, sound engineer with a huge live/studio experience with some famous italian artists. Since February 2010, the band started a long promotional tour in Italy and Switzerland in all those clubs/events previously conquered with AC/DC tribute, cashing in 12 months more than 50 reviews and publications on italian and european magazines (HARD ROCK, METAL HAMMER, METAL MANIAC, COMPUTER MUSIC STUDIO), interviews, radio passages and selling nearly 1,500 copies of their first album. RIBCRASHER is noticed also in Switzerland, where he received a small physical distribution and a reprint with the label P!NO MUSIC of Zurich. In April 2012, with the same production team DAL BROI/ANDREOLI the band “put out” the second album: DON’T FORGET THE ROLL, a raw, low-tech record, sounds truthful, simple and powerful, recorded “old school”by playing together drums, bass and rhythm guitar, to better preserve the live-band imprint, a special trait of the group. This time ON-OFF worked with BUIL2KILL RECORDS Label (Genova) and NADIR PROMOTION Agency, both headed by TREVOR, the historic front-man from SADIST. The 2012/2014 perio, once again, is characterized by a long promotional and work full of gigs; the band also produced a promo video of the single “That’s What I Call Rock’n’Roll”, directed by GUIDO FONIO and with RICCARDO BERNARDI on photography, both famous figures in Milano’s advertising/fashion scene. ON-OFF succeed as opening band of artists likes KEE MARCELLO, MARKY RAMONE, SEVENTY SEVEN (’77), played in METALITALIA Festival after LORDI, and back again to Norway for a couple of gigs in May 2012. During winter 2013/2014, ON-OFF’s line-up changes again: MARCO MAPELLI as new drummer, and guitarist DAVIDE ERMELLINI join the band just in time for the third mini-tour in Norway. The band's third album: BORDERLINE was released in April 2016, recorded between July and November 2015, again with the historic production team DAL BROI/ANDREOLI and with the collaboration of ALBERTO CUTOLO of the MASSIVE ARTS STUDIOS (Milan) for the mastering. Meanwhile the band start to work with ALESSIO FUSÉ, the new bass player who officially becomes part of the ON-OFF’s family; despite his no-cooperation during the recording of the album, where the bass was played by Matteo’s “old friend” Silvano Ancellotti from Italian Irish Band UNCLE BARD and THE DIRTY BASTARDS. Alessio proves to be a very good person and musician, a very helpful character, absolutely in tune with the band’s project, simultaneously demonstrating an uncommon commitment! September 2018, the same day of the Formula 1 Grand Prix of Monza, ON-OFF publish the single "DOSE OF SPEED", a song entirely dedicated to all those pilots, from Gilles Villeneuve to Niki Lauda, from Jackie Stewart to Jim Clark, who became part of the legend of this sport, a friendly tribute to classic Formula 1. The single is published exclusively on digital channels and is accompanied by a lyrics-video that receives an excellent reception from public and visualizations. Stay Tuned!

Busto Arsizio, LOMBA