Martin is a versatile musician who has played in a variety of bands including Dave Warner , The Atlantics , The Flying Fonzarellis and Bluelounge to name a few. Visit his website at www.martincilia.com .
In 1982 Martin joined "Invasion Force" where he met local musos Alf Demasi & Lloyd Allanson. Together they formed the legendary Perth band "The Flying Fonzarellis". The Flying Fonzarellis released several recordings & toured Sydney in 1984. The band had some chart success holding the number one spot in Perth for a few weeks.
After the Fonzarellis, he went on to play in Dave Warner's "Sensational Sixties" and then with "Midget & the Farrellys" who were extremely popular in Fremantle throughout the Americas Cup. Already his passion for that stinging surf guitar sound was obvious. He went on to tour & record with Dave Warner's band, "Dave Warner's From The Suburbs".
Martin moved to Sydney in 1989. He played & recorded with The Brookes. He toured Western Australia in 1993 with the "Big Land - Big Heart" tour. That band contained Dobe Newton (Bushwackers), Ernie Dingo, Dave Warner, Greg Macainish (Skyhooks) Paul Hitchins (Sports) Dave Clarke & Martin. They toured Vietnam with a similar concept in January 1994.
In 1998 he recorded some instrumental guitar songs. Bosco Bosanac, the bass player with legendary Australian group " The Atlantics " heard one of his demo tapes. One Friday afternoon Bosco called Martin. He said "You sound all right on the recordings but can you play live?" His band's guitarist had just called in sick. Martin did the gig and must have done ok because Bosco told the other guys from The Atlantics about him - the rest is history. Martin has been an integral and permanent member of this great surf music band ever since.
The Atlantics playing "Saturday Night" live on Studio 22, ABC TV Australia.
The Atlantics have gone onto record many of Martin's songs, which have appeared on various Atlantics CDs, in feature film soundtracks, surf movies, and Play Station games. The list goes on. In August 2007 Martin released his solo album "Revenge Of The Surf Guitar" - his tribute to the wonderful sounds of the early sixties surf guitar made famous by bands like The Shadows, The Chantays, The Surfaris and of course, The Atlantics. Already the CD has received positive reviews from here and overseas.
Martin is also an avid collector of classic and unique electric guitars. Some of his very valuable "babies" can be heard on "Revenge Of The Surf Guitar" including an original candy apple Red 1963 Fender Stratocaster, a black 1963 Fender Jaguar, a 1957 Fender Precision Bass and a 1965 Fender Jazz Bass.
The Atlantics playing "Reef Break" unplugged on Jackie O's morning show on Sydney TV.