KROKUS Left to right: Mark Kohler-guitar/ Freddy Steady-drums/ Marc Storace - Lead Vocals/ Fernando Von Arb-guitar/ Chris Von Rohr-Bass
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MIDNITE MANIAC FIRST OFFICIAL KROKUS TRIBUTE it's was August 6th, 2006 when a group of young men met KROKUS after their Brienz/Switzerland gig backstage.They had traveled from the beautiful Northern Italian town of Varese all the way to Switzerland to meet KROKUS backstage.
Full of enthusiasm they talked with our greats Marc "The Voice" Storace and Tony Castell (bass guitar) and told them about their plans to become the first official KROKUS cover band in the world.
In the midst of putting the finishing touches to the soon to be released "Hellraiser" album, Marc and Tony passed their request on to me to sort out.
Gigi and his Italian friends kindly took to my suggestion to name the cover band MIDNITE MANIAC, one of the classic song titles of the mighty KROKUS (originally released on the "Blitz" album).
And to slightly change the lyrics of Krokus's "Midnite Maniac" to fit the band's attitude:
Did you read it in the paper 'bout the danger comin' your way. They'll tear you up at midnite. And in the light of day in hidin' they will stay. Watch out at midnite, feel their shadow on your face. Did you hear it on the radio: MIDNITE MANIC - They know where you are!"
Drummer Gigi is a "maniac" and they all like to party at midnite!
KROKUS did not wanted to endorse an "official tribute band" without hearing the musical talent of the band.
Their concern was that the cover band had to sound like KROKUS and offer great musicianship.
Consequently, MIDNITE MANIAC recorded 5 classic KROKUS songs and sent the CD to Marc, Tony and myself.
We all concluded that "MIDNITE MANIAC" is the perfect and FIRST official cover band approved by KROKUS. MIDNITE MANIAC took professional pictures for their new web site and finished building their web site.
Check them out at www.midnitemaniac.eu.
You can download two demos from their web site.
Listen to "Bad Boys - Rag Dolls" (demo 1) and to "Long Stick Goes Boom" (Demo 2), both originally on 1982's KROKUS release "One Vice At A Time".
September 16th, 2006 I flew to Rheinfelden/SWITZERLAND to join KROKUS and had the privilege to meet also the entire band of MIDNITE MANIAC personally.
Their leader Gigi comes across as if he had already 10 espresso at 10 o'clock in the morning. That's why I call him lovingly "Gigi Nervoso"!
He is extremely dedicated to perfection and detail. It was his idea to form a KROKUS cover band.
Playing rock 'n' roll is his passion. And it shows!
In fact he looks a little bit like the "animal" on the "Muppet Show".
We established an instant friendship.
MIDNITE MANIAC are the nicest people you can find, similar to KROKUS.
If you have a chance, check out their web site and give them a listen.
The band consists of M.G.(lead Vocals), Alessio Tonini (guitar), Gino "Luchi" Lucietto (guitar), Roberto Anfuso (bass) and last but not least Gigi Sinnone (drums).
In the very near future they will be linked to our official KROKUS web site.
01/05/2007: MIDNITE MANIAC now are linked to the KROKUS website! Link is: www.krokusonline.com/links ------ more links
ROCK ON,
- PETER WAELTI, at KROKUS Globe Club For Clan & Fan, P.O.Box 17552, Denver, CO 80217, U.S.A.-
[email protected]
After a creative pause of several months, Midnite Maniac introduced their new vocalist Alberto “Drago†Ragozza.
Drago is a true professional, who worked in the past with “Love Machine†and established himself in the early nineties as a heavy rock symbol in Italy.
He also worked with several artists of International fame over the years.
To get an idea about his extensive musical background, visit his very own MySpace web page at http://www.myspace.com/dragoloud.
We are working simultaneously on 2 different projects: The idea for our official KROKUS Tribute band MIDNITE MANIAC started in 2006 backstage after a KROKUS concert in Brienz/Switzerland.
With the help of KROKUS USA Manager Peter Waelti and the full support of one of the biggest rock icons, Marc “the voice†Storace, MIDNITE MANIAC was born in September of 2006.
A new promo CD with KROKUS songs, interpreted by our very own “Dragoâ€, will soon be recorded and can be listened to online.
Our own personal show and pre-production with ORIGINAL SONGS is in the works, some of them already completed, others still perfectioned. To get our updated real time news, subscribe to our blog!
Also, please visit our web site http://www.midnitemaniac.eu
which just recently was updated with new band details. Rock On!!
MM Staff
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SLIDESHOW AND PICS BY ELENA PEDETTI ..