OCTOPUSS
BIOGRAPHY
OCTOPUSS is a power trio of mind-blowing impact: within each tune, there is an energetic core of funk which is
assimilated and revisited to become a fascinating hybrid, blending the melodic intuitions of 60's and 70's rock. An
injection of volume and groove hits the listener in a unique and unusual fashion.
The classic line-up of guitar, bass and drums produces a style that sits somewhere between Primus and The Jimi
Hendrix Experience, while at the same time pulling off a balance of sonic voids and rhythm explosions. The powerful
guitar riffs overlap imaginative vocal lines and the use of distortion bestows an interesting hint of lo-fi on the songs.
The blend of distinct sound of bands such as The Beatles and the Red Hot Chili Peppers is sometimes detectable
between the gritty guitar riffs, giving the band a commercially strong appeal to a wide audience.
Frontman, Reepo's histrionic and sexy energy embodies the boldness of the band. His well articulated chord technique
gives subtle hints of the funk and R&B which compliments his more melodic and catchy style of vocals.
On the bass, is the highly remarkable bassist Garrincha, former member of “Le Vibrazioni” (one of Italy's most famous
bands, with 3 records and more than 500.000 copies sold for Sony Italy), and member of the “X-FACTOR” Superband in
the 2013 italian edition of the successful TV show airing on primetime. His expressive, provocative performance and
virtuous talent is on display in every show, adding a unique touch to Octopuss' sound with his overpowering energy.
Completes the lineup drummer Luca Capasso (aka Mr. Zed), who is the face of the crushing rhythm section, never
breaking for cymbals and bass drum in the wake of his influences such as Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers or
Brad Wilk from Rage Against The Machine.
The band, which formed in 2006, originally called “Octopus”, is characterized by an energetic and steamy-hot
performance on stage. The combination of Octopuss' vintage and yet powerful sound with the energetic
determination of the musicians, who are always punctually and warmly rewarded by the audience at every gig, make
their live performances unique: a “High-voltage music party”.
Before having produced any records or signed a contract, Octopuss has performed at countless gigs at an array of
venues and festivals all over Italy, not to mention their involvement in the REZOPHONIC charity to raise money for the
African Medical and Research Foundation, in which Garrincha is also personally involved.
Since the beginning all the lyrics have been written in English, and soon the trio decided to bring their music across the
Atlantic for the first self-produced U.S. tour, with outstanding feedback from each of their gigs; then back to Italy, the
trio started arousing interest outside of their country, and they were invited to play some sets in London as well.
Meanwhile the band has been writing new songs, and the tightness and confidence at live shows have been increasing
exponentially. To capture this positive band's flow, Octopuss decides to self-produce and film a live video included in
the DVD called “OCTOPUS LIVE”, mixed by Marco Trentacoste, who worked on Lacuna Coil's latest live film.
After having won the Italian edition of the Jack Daniel’s Challenge for Rock Tv Italy as "The Best Rock Band", the trio is
invited to perform at the Global Music Event at Lynchburg, Tennesee, to represent the Italian rock scene in the U.S.
Octopuss decided then to self-produce a tour in the United States again. They spent a significant amount of time in Los
Angeles, where they played at some of the world's most famous music venues including The Viper Room and The Cat
Club in Hollywood, again to a rapturous reception. Following the success of their LA shows, the band began to capture
the attention of music professionals around the city.
Early in the summer of 2009, their first self-titled EP hit the Italian stores and main online distributors. Included on the
record were 3 studio tracks, 2 live songs and 3 videos, along with the music video for their first single entitled “Desire”,
mixed by Marco Trentacoste. The video was put in rotation on national music networks (MTV, ALL MUSIC, ROCK TV).
After the success of the album release and with the help of their booking agents, Barley Arts Promotions, Octopuss
embarked on a series of gigs all around Italy which lasted for two years, while their popularity among fans and critics
alike continued to escalate. Along with their gigs, the band performed as opening act for the legendary Deep Purple, in
a concert which took place on July 22nd, 2010 at the Mirabello Stadium in Reggio Emilia.
After having added an extra “S” to their name, Octopuss moved to Los Angeles dreaming of recording the new album
in the U.S. With the high profile contacts acquired on their previous US tours, Octopuss succeeds in fixing some
appointments with music professionals and people from the industry and so they have an opportunity to do some
preproduction sessions with Jim Wirt, (producer of Incubus' album S.C.I.E.N.C.E), who had been impressed by the
group's live show at Viper Room.
Then, as if in a dream, the meetings followed one another without a break till they were invited to the legendary
SHANGRI-LA Studios, Malibu, (www.shangrilamalibu.com) by the owner Beej Chaney (singer/guitarist of the Suburbs).
Beej, at first hearing, both impressed and fascinated with the band's unique sound, made the prestigious recording
room of Shangri-La Studios available to them and introduced the band to the famous British producer, Gary Miller
(David Bowie, Simply Red, Slash & Fergie, Andrea Bocelli, Lionel Ritchie, Donna Summer, Girls Aloud, Cheyenne,
Bananarama, Kylie Minogue and many others); Gary took charge of producing and mixing the album, with the
collaboration of Eric Lynn, sound engineer, amongst the others, of Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP 2's album and
Metallica's “St. Anger”.
The increasing international appeal gained by Octopuss has seen them also play a joint tour with the UK band Hot
Head Show (the trio chosen by Les Claypool to open for Primus’ last European tour), whose frontman is Jordan
Copeland, son of the legendary drummer of The Police. In August 2012 during the Olympics, the band was invited to
London once again by the British film company “Focal Rhythm Production” to produce and performe in a huge and
humorous “flashmob” event, shot in London Fields Park, and called “SHAKE IT OFF – THE OCTOPUS FLASHMOB
EXPERIENCE”.
While busy pitching the US recorded album “A Nut For A Jar Of Tuna” to international labels, in September 2014
Octopuss released internationally the “Run Run Run” digital single: the music video (directed by Simone Manetti and
Giacomo Favilla, D.O.P. Ferran Paredes Rubio), which includes a stop-motion sequence with miniatures of Octopuss
handymade by the band itself, was selected as “video of the day” by Corriere della Sera, Italy’s most popular
newspaper, and then put in rotation by all the main music TV channels. The song "Miami Airport", still from the album
“A Nut For A Jar Of Tuna”, was used as jingle of all the 3D broadcasts of the Soccer Major League – “SERIE A” - matches
on Sky Italy for 2014/15 season.
After the “Run Run Run” US and international radio airplay, with the help of the prestigious US promotion and
development company, Big Noise (www.bignoisenow.com), in Fall 2014, two Octopuss songs are placed by The
Recording Academy on the Official Ballot for the 57th Annual Grammy Awards in the following categories: Best Rock
Performance: “Octopuss - Run Run Run”; Best Rock Performance: “Octopuss - Miami Airport”; Best Rock Song:
“Octopuss - Miami Airport”.
Meanwhile, in the end of October 2014, “OCTOPUSS Club Tour 2014/2015” has begun: during the tight schedule of
their tour, in the end of November the band reached China for their first outstanding Chinese tour: in almost one
month of shows they played at some of the China’s most famous music venues including cities as Beijin, Qingdao,
Jinnan and many others. The band’s shows included their very own version of two popular Chinese rock songs,
Beyond’s “Hai kuo tian kong” and Xie Tian Xiao’s “Ashima”. Octopuss was also awarded from prestigious Beijing’s
“University of Science and Technology” for its cultural exchange activities between Europe and China.
Back to Europe, the tour is still going on, bringing the band to perform songs from “A Nut For A Jar Of Tuna”, whose
release is expected for March 2015.
...And more has to come!
CONTACTS:
OFFICIAL WEBSITE: www.octopussband.com
U.S.A.: www.bignoisenow.com/octopuss.html
*Please contact Big Noise about Octopuss at 401 274 4770 USA, or e-mail at al@bignoisenow.com
INFO: info@octopussband.com
BOOKING: booking@octopussband.com
MANAGEMENT: management@octopussband.com – demetrio.sartorio@gmail.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/octopussband
MYSPACE: www.myspace.com/octopussband
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/octopussband