Masks, comics, rock, and a freedom built brick by brick over thirty years of music. Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti arrive in Sardinia after a stint overseas that culminated in a sold-out performance at Arlene's Grocery in New York, and tonight they will headline the "Sulky Rock Fest" in Sant'Antioco. A story that began in Pordenone in 1994, always faithful to an imagery that has spanned at least three generations without ever ceasing to evolve. From their early work to the founding of the La Tempesta label in 2000, the band, comprised of comic book artist Davide Toffolo, drummer Luca Masseroni, and bassist Enrico Molteni, has forged a path that is difficult to replicate. 2024 saw the release of "Garage Pordenone," their tenth album, and they recently reinterpreted "Rane'n'Roll" by Joe Perrino & The Mellowtones for "Rane'n'Roll Reloaded," an act of love for the Cagliari-born artist and one of the iconic albums of the rock and psychedelic scene. It also provided a new opportunity to connect their own history with that of Sardinia.
Davide Toffolo, what does it mean to you to return to play on the island?
"The Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti have a longstanding relationship with Sardinia. First of all, it's the first place in Italy where our style was recognized, because there's a strong desire here for music that has something authentic and distinctive. For example, we recently released an album with La Tempesta featuring Arrogalla, Francesco Medda. It's beautiful, with its fusion of exotic music and Sardinian roots, and we even brought it to the Nivola Museum."
What do you like about Sardinian music?
Its thousand-year-old, ancestral tradition, its strong local presence, and its love of rock 'n' roll. Cagliari's garage scene is important, and I owe a huge debt to Sardinia through comics: Igort, Vanna Vinci, Otto Gabos have always been my inspirations.
After more than thirty years, Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti remain a difficult band to pigeonhole. What do you think is the secret to this longevity?
"The mask certainly brings us closer to an idea than to people. With that filter, we're projected into a magical dimension that manages to maintain a greater distance from time. We've accomplished so much in three decades, yet it feels like it's always the first time."
You chose an independent path from the beginning, as evidenced by the founding of the La Tempesta label. How important was it to maintain that freedom?
"When you find your form, you can live within your limits without losing yourself. This gave us the ability to believe in what we were doing with absolute conviction. Many groups over time have no way to relaunch themselves, but we can do so because we own almost all of our production."
Together with Paolo Fresu and Iosonouncane, to name a few, you too are in the “Rane'n'Roll Reloaded” project which pays homage to the timeless Joe Perrino.
After his motorcycle accident, we immediately agreed to participate. Joe is an amazing artist, capable of a thousand different forms. Reinterpreting part of that amazing album was powerful and beautiful. He was happy with it, and it wasn't something he was automatically drawn to.
You helped build independent rock: what remains of that scene and what has been lost?
"Music is always in flux and is never easy to harness. When you think you've figured out where it's going, change direction. It's true that we've lived through golden years, but now there are other mechanisms, and young people continue to seek new paths that aren't just entertainment."
Really no nostalgia for the past?
"Never had one. And then, apparently, the older the rockers, the cooler they are. So if time passes, it's a good thing."