Guitar mastermind as well as creative genius FABRIZIO BONANNO, one of Italy’s hidden talents shares with me some of his background for which made him a ranking guitarist of this time. Through his quiet observation with tranquil temperament Fabrizio explains such aspects that go behind such writings of his current release to date Anthology exploring his musical past and present in a world full of aspiring guitar heroes he dwells into the current place in time to reveal to me the elements for which can be heard on the current album. Such a deep mind of sounds and creative thoughts that go into his playing Mr. Bonanno echoes his musicianship that one can distinctly recognize such a flair that is diverse as the innovative character himself. With that FABRIZIO BONANNO gives his own Anthology side to this interview.

Jessie: So tell me with the release of Anthology it seems to be more of a documented collection of your musical highlights. Was this something that you wanted to release to showcase your diverse style as an artist musically?
Fabrizio: Anthology is an outline about various sounds that I have experimented in time and with different bands: from metal prog with Wounded Knee to hard prog with Equiseti, to ethno folk with Rabatabuse, to hard rock and heavy power with Rainbirn and Arcane Visions.
In this cd are collected songs that I love in particular and give an almost complete idea about my style as guitarist and composer.
Anyway Anthology is only a starting point, because I’ve got many musical projects that I’m going to develop in the future.

Jessie: Just curious as if you have had any classical training prior studying at the Centro Professione Musica in Milan?
Fabrizio: I have not attended any classical school, but I love classical music and I like studying it on my own and applying it to.
Instead at CPM I learnt to read music and to apply a method that helps me to understand the mechanisms that move modern music and its styles.

Reflecting in musical solitude with his reply to the question, what gets to me is such a talent that goes unnoticed but in a fashion that I am confident that only in a matter of time Fabrizio will launch a new frontier with technique and rank that will pave a way for future guitarists to a new level of musical psyche.

Jessie: How would you describe your playing?
Fabrizio: I think that my playing is heavy and melodic with a touch of progressive, symphonic and folk sounds.

Jessie: From a listeners standpoint your music is very heartfelt and emotional, do you feel that when you are performing? And if so, do you recognize that feeling coming across through your recording?
Fabrizio: Thank you for what you said!! In both studio and live situations I always try to play with hearth and instinct. Music must transmit emotions and when I take my guitar I let myself go to emotions and transport that it stirs up in me! Technique is necessary for a good execution, but in performances feeling is the master!

Jessie: Are you currently with the workings of a new album? Can you tell me more about this?
Fabrizio: At the moment I’m working with the mixing of the third studio album of Wounded Knee Ol3mare, a concept sung in Italian that represents for us a big step forward in matter of musicality and arrangements. I’m also about finishing an instrumental album with my name, extremely particular, in which are mixed all my musical influences.

Jessie: Do you find inspiration through various forms of creativity that in some way is expressed through your music?
Fabrizio: I often find inspiration through my trips across mountains and nature in her various forms, or through some books that struck me.
Otherwise I feel the need to unload my anger for the bad situations that very often we observe around the world as wars and environment destruction.
It’s a sort of therapy. Composing is for me a sweet obsession that follows me night and day.

Jessie: Being a solo artist of classical yet rock oriented style, do you feel that the combo of the two gives your music a unique flavored sound?
Fabrizio: The combination of heavy rock and classical music gives excellent sound results and is able to create very suggestive atmospheres that always capture me. For the future I would like to be in the positions to work with classical musicians as violinist, cellists, etc.

Jessie: Could you explain to me about your previous collaborations? (in the terms of bands and any other side projects you had in the past)
Fabrizio: Most important projects and bands are Wounded Knee, prog metal since 1994, then Equiseti, one of my solo projects with all songs composed by me and one release: Il rito (hard prog). Rabatabuse are an acoustic ethno folk trio that recorded a mini cd titled Mediterranea.
Other projects: Rainbird (hard rock) and Arcane Visions (heavy power)…..however I have decided that my next solo projects will be called with my name to avoid confusion!

Jessie: Is there anything that you as a guitarist have not done, but would like to do musically?
Fabrizio: I would like to play tango, jazz rock, latin jazz and study rhythms and melodies from Africa and Asia :)

Jessie: Do you find yourself being more of a Power Metal oriented type of guitarist?
Fabrizio: I prefer to describe my style similar to Malmsteen, Nightwish or power made in U.S.A., the early Crimson Glory rather than Helloween, Stratovarius and gay metal in general.

Jessie: What/who inspired you to take up the 6string?
Fabrizio: I was dazzled by an Ozzy Osbourne video (shot in the dark) in which the guitarist Jake E. Lee was demonstrating his talent …..so I decided to become a guitarist!!

Jessie: What guitars of choice do you use/prefer when performing live or in the studio?
Fabrizio: Absolutey I prefer Fender Strato for its sound and versatility in Rock, Heavy, Blues, Funky…

Jessie: Just curious as to what type of gear you use?
Fabrizio: I use Fender strato or Kramer for electric sounds, Yamaha for the folk and classical guitars, Quadraverb Alesis for the delay and reverb, preamp ADA, finale SWR, and ampli Marshall 150 watt stereo.

Jessie: Where do you see yourself within the next 3 years?
Fabrizio: I simply see myself playing and composing music as I have always done, maybe with 3 years of experience more ;)

Jessie: Would like to say thank you for putting Anthology for it was a pleasure in reviewing your material. And last but not least a sincere thank you for your time for this interview. Wishing you well in all your musical travels!

9/2004 © Jessie Gough • Fabrizio Bonanno •