I Fantomatici play instro music since 2002. They come from Vicenza, in the north-east of Italy.
“Fantomatici” in Italian means “that maybe don’t really exist”. But I assure they exist, and mix in their compositions surf, beat, rockabilly, easy listening, Italian B movies soundtracks, but also punk and lo-fi. Always with an original, peculiar style.
The music reminds of seasides, exotic atmospheres, alien worlds, Italian futurism, spaghetti-western lands, mysterious women. They are young, and sometimes don’t know what they do. But they always do it.
Discography
Giustizia Sommaria CD, Green Cookie records, GC008, 2005
Spaghetti Surf CD, Green Cookie records, GC015, 2007
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Spaghetti Surf represents a significant step forward for I Fantomatici. As they mature, their arrangements get stronger and the blend of spaghetti western and surf becomes more original. Great CD.
Picks: Riviera Berica, Crockabilly, La Legge Del Dollaro, Banana Beach, Klaus Kinski, Sputnik, Orgasmo Intergalattico, Spaghetti Surf, Il Risveglio Della Mummia, Enterprise, Malasurf, Vicenza Violenza
Riviera Berica ***
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Riviera Berica" is a very nice progression based instro. The main riff climbs and falls in a circular motion. A couple of verses in, the second guitar switched from a surf pattern to a lead jam. The break is really quite lovely, perhaps warranting development into a song on its own.
Crockabilly ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
A fun and almost goody two note beat runs beneath a very playful melody line that's also quite friendly. "Crockabilly" begins inconspicuously, but as the song evolves, you find yourself sucked in. Tribal drums and reverb charm.
La Legge Del Dollaro *****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Glorious reverb rings out while wonderful spaghetti charm ensues. I found that I kept upping my rating of this track as I listened. It's infectious and warm, and very engaging. Sad at times, optimistic at others, "La Legge Del Dollaro" is a total charmer.
Banana Beach ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Banana Beach" is a very cool surf number with a splendid melody line and great surf tone. The two guitars play off each other very well, giving it a sense of composition. Splendid.
Klaus Kinski ***
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Angular and uneasy, "Klaus Kinski" demands your attention if for no other reason that intro and bridges seem so out of sorts. A very unusual track, perhaps inspired by uneasy screen shots.
Sputnik ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Dramatic and fluid, tribal and dangerous, "Sputnik" sports some solid drumming excellent guitar arrangements. There are many songs with this title, and this is none of them.
Orgasmo Intergalattico ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
This is a futurist and forbidding instro with dark surf tendencies. Big whammy and an unusual guitar line, along with an uneasy feeling. The break features some cool effects and guitar work.
Spaghetti Surf ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
You might imagine that there would be spaghetti western and surf references here. You would be correct. Lovely surf tone and open plane imagery combine for a fine ride across a grand expanse. Very cool!
Il Risveglio Della Mummia *****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
An exotic Middle Eastern melody plays in moody tone across tribal drums and moody bass. The second guitar's surf chords are a perfect counterpoint to the melody. This is a splendid slow moving desert masterpiece.
Enterprise *****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
Double picked guitar, "Miserlou"-like rhythm chords, excellent drums and slithery bass deliver a superb surf instro. "Enterprise" is a mid tempo track with a lot of charm and dribbling reverb.
Malasurf *****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
"Malasurf" moves to a sensual slow one-two beat in a Jewish structure. It's very cool, in the same way that Meshugga Beach Party is, but without the grin. It is the moodiness that sets it apart. Very cool!
Vicenza Violenza ****
Surf Instrumental (Stereo)
From a "Secret Agent Man" styled opening, "Vicenza Violenza" develops into a sparkling spy epic with great tone and guitar interplay. Rich and adventurous.
Phil Dirt - Reverb Central
PO Box 7240, Santa Cruz, CA 95061-7240 USA
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I Fantomatici mescolano nelle loro composizioni le più disparate influenze: surf, beat, rockabilly, garage, lounge, senza dimenticare punk e lo-fi, e un legame molto forte con le colonne sonore, soprattutto dei film ’60–’70.
Nei pezzi vengono evocati agenti segreti, gite al mare, atmosfere esotiche, mondi alieni, scenari spaghetti-western, supereroi di ogni colore e nazionalità, avanguardie storiche e donne affascinanti.
Il retroterra ideologico del gruppo si basa su tutto ciò che riguarda gli anni sessanta e settanta, soprattutto in Italia. Una malcelata mediterraneità è il marchio di fabbrica de I Fantomatici.
Un ringraziamento particolare a Capitan Tamarindo, alias Jimmy Grondaia, eminente guru spirituale del gruppo nonché esperto in ogni tematica musicale e culturale degli anni ’60 e ’70.
Il 15 febbraio 2005 è finalmente uscito l'album Giustizia Sommaria per la Green Cookie Records. 12 tracce più ghost track che stanno facendo impazzire grandi e piccini.
Tenete d'occhio i Fantomatici: se non li cercate voi, verranno a cercarvi loro!
Da pochi giorni è finalmente pronto anche il secondo album di inediti della band, sempre con etichetta Green Cookie.Il titolo del nuovo lavoro è «Spaghetti Surf».
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