5WD were born in summer 2001, around Mario Perego (drums), Francesco Portinari (voice), Diego Potron (guitar) and Alberto Pirovano (guitar).
All former members came from notable musical experiences: Pranxter for Diego, Revox for Mario and Alberto, Inapnea and Boomerang Kids for Francesco.
Since first session (at 10 o'clock in the morning in full July, in a large case of metal-made "practice room", typical environment of the Desert Session :-), the band developed a "stoner rock"-like sound, influenced by such bands as Blue Cheer, Fu Manchu, Kyuss and the greatest 70's hard rock bands.
In winter of 2001, after the Revox split, Simone Bianco joined the band.
After the first shows, performed in some small clubs around north Italy, interest and attention around the band started to grow rapidly; in the 2002 spring, with the definitive monicker 5WD, the band played for the first time at "Bloom" in Mezzago (Milan), one of the most important live clubs in Italy.
In July 2002, the band records its first live-in-studio EP, recorded and mixed in one day and one night; the official EP presentation take place at "Bloom" again, in October 2002, during a "Stoner night" organized by the "Cheap&Chic" agency: 5WD amaze the audience with an incredible show.Gigs continue for the whole winter and the beginning of summer 2003, when Diego suddenly leaves 5WD.
His place is taken first by Federico from "ElectroSpoon", and then definitely by Cello, alias Marcello Mantovani, from Jerries Garcia's Apple (which had divided the stage with the newborns 5WD in the first date of their history).
At the end of 2003, 5WD are contacted by the newborn Bagana/V2 label: finally with the support of a label, 5WD record at "Mezzanima" studio, in Arcore (Italy) their first full-length album, "Five Wheel Drive".
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