Biography
Following their formation, the Italian progressive rock ensemble D.F.A. saw their sound grow steadily more intricate. Early compositions credited to drummer/vocalist Alberto DeGrandis drew parallels with British space rock acts such as Gentle Giant and Pink Floyd, whereas subsequent pieces incorporated polyrhythms, cascading chord progressions, and jazz elements. Established in Verona, Italy, the initial trio of DeGrandis, bassist Luca Baldassari, and keyboardist Roberto Tommasini expanded with guitarist Silvio Minella. A 1995 demo titled Trip on Metro attracted the interest of Deus Ex Machina vocalist Alberto Piras, who consented to produce the band’s first album, Lavori in Corso.
Before finishing that project, the lineup underwent several shifts. After keyboardist/vocalist Alberto Bonomi replaced Tommasini, the group chose to rework and re-record the existing material, with DeGrandis and Bonomi sharing lead vocals. Once Lavori in Corso appeared on the band’s own independent imprint, D.F.A. issued their follow-up, Duty Free Area, through the Italian Mellow label in October 1998. Their introduction to American audiences occurred at NEARfest, held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 2000; the performance was captured and issued the next year as Work in Progress Live. In 2007 MoonJune issued Kaleidoscope, a two-CD collection that presented complete remastered versions of Lavori in Corso and Duty Free Area together with three live bonus tracks. The Canterbury-inspired 4th followed on the same MoonJune imprint in 2008.
Although the band returned to North America in 2009 for a second NEARfest set and a show at FMPM in Montreal, D.F.A. eventually disbanded amid the members’ competing family and professional obligations. Tragically, keyboardist Alberto Bonomi died at age 48 in a car accident in his native Verona, Italy, on June 26, 2011.
Before finishing that project, the lineup underwent several shifts. After keyboardist/vocalist Alberto Bonomi replaced Tommasini, the group chose to rework and re-record the existing material, with DeGrandis and Bonomi sharing lead vocals. Once Lavori in Corso appeared on the band’s own independent imprint, D.F.A. issued their follow-up, Duty Free Area, through the Italian Mellow label in October 1998. Their introduction to American audiences occurred at NEARfest, held at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on June 17, 2000; the performance was captured and issued the next year as Work in Progress Live. In 2007 MoonJune issued Kaleidoscope, a two-CD collection that presented complete remastered versions of Lavori in Corso and Duty Free Area together with three live bonus tracks. The Canterbury-inspired 4th followed on the same MoonJune imprint in 2008.
Although the band returned to North America in 2009 for a second NEARfest set and a show at FMPM in Montreal, D.F.A. eventually disbanded amid the members’ competing family and professional obligations. Tragically, keyboardist Alberto Bonomi died at age 48 in a car accident in his native Verona, Italy, on June 26, 2011.