Rainbow Bridge, formed in 2006, draws inspiration from the Jimi Hendrix Experience and classic sixties power-trios, blending heavy blues with psychedelic jams. Theyâve played numerous rock & blues festivalsâincluding Blues in Town, Wood In Stock, and Freakout Stoned Festâand opened for bands like Oh Sees and Putan Club. Since Fabio joined on bass in 2015, the trio has released four self-produced albums, a live album, and a cover album, receiving positive press internationally. Their second album, Lama, is featured in the Stoner Freak Anthology, reflecting a sound that mixes classic rock with stoner-psychedelic influences like Earthless, Colour Haze, and Dead Meadow.
The Origin & Identity:
How did you all come together as a band, and when did it feel real?
Fabio: Hello there, I’m Fabio, the bass player of the band. My band’s mates let me answer to this interview. Usually I should shut the fuck my mouth. I hope my English will be understandable.
The band was born as a Jimi Hendrix Tribute in 2006. After several changes of bass players I came in, and we started to write songs. We still going around playing a tribute to Hendrix. Around Italy I mean. Weâve made a very good (in my opinion) sound. We play hard and if you see us playing Hendrix you can feel our fun having it. Weâre a live band. I love it. We have âpeaceâ in our hearts playing our songs and Hendrix too, of course.
Where did your band name come from, and why does it feel like you?
Fabio: We are RAINBOW BRIDGE. Where do you think this came from? Hendrix of course.
Did you have a clear vision for your sound from the start, or did it develop naturally?
Fabio: I had personally my idea of my sound. Would give groove, but playing like a ârhythm guitarâ. Iâm still improving it. Cliff Williams of AC/DC and Lemmyâs way playing give me an âopinionâ to play bass.
We just have interplay because we know each other perfectly, sometimes not (musically).
This mean that everytime anything will be different. I said âwill beâ because Iâm sure of that.
Thatâs our heart. Be perfect in imperfection. We smile each other everytime when weâre jamminâ, even when maybe weâre going in âwrong placesâ, musically of course.
What should listeners know about your newest album?
Fabio: Nothing. Why they âshouldâ know something? Is just music. It is just another album in a billions produced in all over the world.
Is instrumental. Have a joint or whatever drugs you like (water) and listen it.
Just lose your mind and have a trip. For us it’s like a movie soundtrack. We love movies.
Influences & Creative Process:
Who or what has shaped your sound in ways people might not expect?
Fabio: Well, good question. For example I listen to a lot of Thrash Metal or groovy stuff like Pantera, Down and Crowbar. Of course Black Sabbath everyday. (RIP OZZY). But I always enjoy jazz stuff like Lennie Tristano or Charlie Mingus. I love Frank Zappa. Paolo (the drummer) loves post-rock stuff, and all the Grunge and alternative scene. Giuseppe âJimirayâ is a real fuckin expert of Rock and Roll old stuff and the oldest Blues riffs.
We are fans of The Police of course, Morphine, Nirvana, AC/DC, Motorhead, Sleep, Kyuss. It is a long list.
When creating a song, do you follow a routine or mix it up each time?
Fabio: We Jam. Just it. If we think that part Weâre playing is a shit, We just restart to do something else.
Are there moods, riffs, or ideas you find yourself returning to?
Fabio: There are always things that come to mind, or that are part of us. The blues is always in our heads.
In my head, there have always been AC/DC and Black Sabbath in the “composing” phase. I don’t know how to read and write music, I wanted to clarify that.
Jimi Hendrix is a fundamental part of our musical formation, and something “Hendrixian” always comes out.
In reality, we don’t know how things evolve during our jam sessions.
For example, we wrote a blues standard in the style of Muddy Waters. It’s called “I’m Just a Man,” and you can find it on NEVERENDING TRIP, our cover album. It’s the only original song on the album.
But original, in the sense of “new,” obviously it isn’t.
How do you make writing decisions â together or does someone usually lead?
Fabio: Well, we usually work around an idea that one of us has.
For example, if Giuseppe starts playing a guitar riff, Paolo and I try to create something around it.
The same goes if I have a good bass line that they like.
We’re spontaneous.
At the end of the process, we all take stock of the situation together.
Musical Technique / Composition:
When layering sounds, do you focus more on tone or on mood?
Fabio: It depends on the riff we’re playing.
Sounds are very important to us, obviously. But sometimes, and I think it’s normal, notes reflect our emotions. Our latest album has a little “sadness” in my opinion. But maybe that’s just my perspective on things.
Do you use alternate tunings, odd meters, or unusual chords to shape your sound?
Fabio: Giuseppe sometimes has his own way of playing guitar. He uses different tunings to create different atmospheres.
As for me, I follow him on his journey. Sometimes I drop the bass in D. But usually I just try to refine things as best as possible around an idea, when the idea is “strange.”
Sometimes he plays “oriental” stuff.
Paolo is a âtempoâ guy. In my mind is my âPhil Ruddâ. In a certain way, you know.
How much of your arrangements come from improvisation versus planning?
Fabio: I really don’t know what to say. For us, it’s just personal taste.
There have been some things on our albums that were “obligatory,” when it comes to arrangements. It all depends on the song.
As for the instrumental tracks, it often comes from our ability to fit things together based on our imagination and, obviously, our skills.
Paolo and I are not very technical musicians, so both rhythmically and with the bass, things are very spontaneous and also Giuseppe’s approach, who knows his instrument more deeply, is very spontaneous.
So, rhythmically and bass-wise, things are very spontaneous.
Sometimes, fantastic things come out of Paolo’s sticks.
During concerts, we often hug each other after busting our asses during one of Giuseppe’s endless solos.
To help you understand this, I suggest all our webzine friends listen to “Dirty Sunday” from our first album, “Dirty Sunday.”
It’s just pure instinct.
Stories & Experiences:
Whatâs one moment that truly captures what this band is about?
Fabio: The live concert.
Nothing else.
Does playing live bring out a different side of your music?
Fabio: We usually play faster. And I drink more than usual. Nothing more. And yes, I play with my cap and jeans.
Whatâs the quirkiest experiment youâve done in the studio?
Fabio: Our first album, “Dirty Sunday,” was an interesting experiment, as was “UNLOCK.”
They’re records of pure instinct. Everything is played in one take.
Especially “UNLOCK,” which you can obviously find on our Bandcamp, is complete fury.
There are no acoustic melodies, nothing but guitar, bass, and drums that are hitting your fuckin brain.
Recorded in just a few hours, if I remember correctly.
I drank a little more liquor that day. It was post-COVID.
Now I haven’t had any hard liquor for a year and a half. Maybe that’s why I’m a little more bored. Haha.
Has a fan ever done or said something that made you see your music differently?
Fabio: If anyone said it, I don’t remember it.
Current Inspirations & Recommendations:
Any up-and-coming musicians you think deserve more attention?
Fabio: Vidage, a band from our region, Puglia. They are awesome.
Vision & Reflection:
Where do you see your sound heading next? Any experiments youâre itching to try?
Fabio: I don’t know and I don’t want to know. So whatever comes out will always be new, and I won’t get bored.
Which track do you feel captures your band best, and whatâs the story behind it?
Fabio: That’s a good question.
You see, every album has been different for us. Our private lives also change over the years.
I also believe that your personal life can influence the music you make. If you’re sad that day, that jam will be weird, or sad, or maybe interesting.
You take it with you or it goes away. So there’s no single track that I can call representative.
It’s the band that represents something. Any band in the world.
Anyway, “Hugh The Cactus” from our latest album is a beautiful song.
I’m a fan of the stuff we do. If there is somewhere a riff I say âehy weâre the fuckin coolestâ. Iâm a dumb. Donât take everything seriously. You will get sick.
That’s why they tell me to shut up most of the time. (As I explained at the beginning of the interview.)
What do you hope people feel when they sink into your music?
Fabio: I can’t control people’s thoughts. I just want everyone to feel good and feel some vibrations.
What we do is just rock, full of kindness and empathy. Have fun.
Turbo Regime:
Fuzz or distortion?
Fabio: Amp overdrives
Analog or digital effects?
Fabio: Analog
Sabbath or Zeppelin?
Fabio: Sabbath forever (for me) Eheh.
Heavy riff or mind-bending solo?
Fabio: Both.
Vintage gear or modern kit?
Fabio: Your hands are better.
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