By Jagdish Patel
Hot on the heels of their appearance at Blackpool’s Rebellion punk festival, Italian ska- punks, Los Fastidios return to Stroud’s Prince Albert on the 27th October for what promises to be a second sold-out fundraiser for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Their latest album “Lovesteady” includes songs with messages of resistance, peace, solidarity and unity. Los Fastidios also pay tribute to one of their musical heroes, the Clash, with the band overlaying the well known Clash riff from ‘Guns of Brixton’ onto the Italian folk anthem, Bella Ciao. Bella Ciao is a WW2 song dedicated to the partisans of the Italian resistance, who fought the occupying troops of Nazi Germany. It is still sung today as a rallying song throughout Italy, and especially on Liberation Day (April 25) which commemorates the liberation of Italy from Nazi German occupation. This punk version of Bella Ciao comes at a time, when there is again, rising levels of racism and discrimination throughout Europe.
Inspired by the British ska and punk movement, Enrico De Angelis from Los Fastidios said; ‘’Today, more than ever, as our musical masters -The Specials, The Selector, The Beat and The Clash taught us- we must turn up the volume on our radios, our amplifiers, our microphones, to spread the music of unity and freedom everywhere. With our music we try to convey, with positivity and optimism, this message of unity, against all discrimination, whether racial, religious or gender-based. Music is strength, music is life, music unites black and white.”
Enrico De Angelis describes the Los Fastidios sound as powerful melodic street ska punk which mixes classical 80’s street sounds with reggae, rock’n’roll and a touch of pop, sung in Italian and English with some touches of French, Spanish and German. Songs like ‘Skabillyboogie’, their latest single, simply indulges the sheer joy of a good old skank.
Lasts year the band raised £1,700 for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians. This year Los Fastidios are looking to beat that target so that vital medical supplies can flow to Palestine at this crucial time.
The gig is one of a series of events planned by Stroud Love Music Hate Racism to raise awareness, promote solidarity and take action on racism. If you are a band, musician, singer or performer and would like to be involved in future gigs to promote anti-racism contact stroudlovemusichateracism@gmail.com Information on how you can help fight racism and discrimination will be available on the night.
Los Fastidios will play two, one hour sets at the Prince Albert. Doors open at 7pm and the gig finishes at 10.30pm. Tickets are £15 and can be booked in advance here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/lovemusichateracism/1753764
