DANGER ZONE

The band Danger Zone (formerly named Sbarbation) was founded by Roberto Priori in 1980. The first demo-tape’s line-up (1983) was: Roberto Priori (guitar), Stefano Gregori (bass), Paolo Baldassarri (lead voice), Stefano Vascotto (guitar) and Vito Camporeale (drums). Francesco Di Nicola (guitar) and Massimiliano Merlini (lead voice) jumped onboard in 1984 taking part in D.Z’s first studio effort (on vinyl) “Victim of time” as well as their first video “I’m waiting for you” on heavy rotation on TV (Videomusic). In 1987, after several line-up changes (Paolo Palmieri on drums, Stefano Peresson on guitar & keyboards, Giacomo Gigantelli lead singer), the band recorded “I can’t live without you” for “Metal Maniac”, a compilation on Durium label. Musical magazines and audiences all around Italy welcomed their 1987 demo-tape and they were chosen as a performing act on several Hard Rock festivals. 1988 was a special formative year for the band, recording another demo-tape, opening for Saxon in Verona and flying to the States to immerse into the most rocking musical scene on earth. During this vacation they had the opportunity to perform at the famous Hollywood’s club “Whiskey a go-go”. Back in Italy, tour promoter Francesco Sanavio approached the band aiming to produce them and export Danger Zone to the U.S. market. Stefan Galfas, Jody Gray and Mark Cobrin were in charge of the artistic production, and between May and September 1989 Danger Zone recorded an album at Condulmer Studio (Verona). In November they mixed the whole body of work in New York. While Stefano Vascotto re-joined the band, the guys went back to rehearsals in order to get ready for their definitive move to the States. Unfortunately, the amazing quality gained with such a professional musical production, which could easily stand the text of a worldwide exposure, didn’t match with the poor product’s marketing efforts. Sanavio’s US lawyers didn’t get a single contract, while loosing time in order to let their fees grow. The musicians started to loose faith and Paolo Palmieri decided to quit, letting Gianni Lorenzini join the band on drums. Following a nerve-wracking period, the guys decided to sell part of their instruments and move to the States at their own expenses. They flew to L.A. in March 1992 to showcase their music in all the different Hollywood clubs. In 3 months Danger Zone managed to emerge among the 5000 local-area bands, performing as headliner act in different clubs around L.A. Despite an enthusiastic response from audiences, they had to witness L.A. Hard Rock scene’s definitive end in favour of Seattle’s grunge movement. Danger Zone wasn’t able to follow the trend, as they were born on melodic rock, and decided to quit after a 12-years career