L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 14, 2015 www.italoamericano.org L'Italo-Americano 5 In recent years, the beautiful Campania region in Italy, and mostly the city of Naples, have sadly made the news for the shameful waste management issue. And yet that same land has given birth to one of the most creative Italian music bands of t h e 2 1 s t c e n t u r y , C a p o n e & BungtBangt, who play instru- ments made of recycled materi- als and everyday tools. From an old broom that becomes an elec- tric guitar, to a simple trowel and a tile, unexpected objects are turned into something com- pletely different and capable of c r e a t i n g a c a p t i v a t i n g n e w sound. W h o a r e C a p o n e & B u n g t B a n g t ? A n d w h a t i s exactly "eco-music" or "junk music"? We asked the founder and lead vocalist, Maurizio Capone. Since I was a child, I've been creating my own instruments with unconventional and recy- cled materials. I've discovered that many objects that we're ready to throw away can still surprise us, if we understand the technique to play them. In 1999, producer Umberto Massa encouraged me to do a percussion show called Bungt & Bangt. Thanks to my creativity as a percussionist, singer, song- writer, and recycled instruments maker, it soon became a band. T h e o t h e r m e m b e r s a r e A l e s s a n d r o P a r a d i s o ( b a s s ) , E n z o F a l c o ( k e y b o a r d ) , a n d Salvatore Zannella (drums). Our music is modern and tra- ditional at the same time, with a strong Neapolitan identity and t i e s t o s o u t h e r n a n d t r i b a l rhythms, combined with hip- hop, funk, techno, and reggae. Over the last 15 years, Capone & BungtBangt have been made a name for themselves as repre- sentatives of this peculiar genre. We've been invited to perform on many occasions, including the Sanremo Festival. D o y o u t h i n k I t a l y a n d Campania region are finally out of the waste emergency? Management and disposal is a global problem, which all coun- tries are dealing with but won't be solved if we don't reduce the production of toxic waste. In Campania, corruption and illegal b u s i n e s s p r a c t i c e s h a v e destroyed the national environ- ment and, even if most citizens respect the rules and recycle, the waste issue remains a weapon in the hands of organized crime. Capone & BungtBangt also organize educational work- shops in schools, prisons, and rehab centers. Do you believe in the power of music to com- municate with the young gen- erations and to disseminate positive values? Our activities and initiatives are based on the respect for the environment and legality. We are often invited to teach work- shops on how to make recycled instruments in schools located in the slums, where dropout rates are higher. In particular, I've created a permanent lab in the neighborhood 219 in Pomigliano d'Arco, which has involved over 500 kids since 2001. Our music has helped many of them embark on a different, better path than what they were destined for. The focus is on self-discipline and self-confidence: a strong will is essential to become a musician, as well as to succeed in life. H o w e a s y i t w a s t o b e appreciated for your original music in Italy and abroad? It wasn't, because Italy is mainly open to innovations com- ing from outside the Country. Our music is international, and we've performed from Cuba to Brazil, from Tokyo to Il Cairo. The U.S. represents for us the next frontier, as we feel very c l o s e t o t h e A m e r i c a n f o l k music. Are you guys working on a new album? Our first live album "Spazza Music Live" was released in October, and we're now working on the new record "Mozzarella Nigga" to come out in Fall. The title is inspired by one of the nicknames that Americans used to call Italian immigrants, and it was chosen for two different rea- sons. On the one hand, our music is a combination of Neapolitan and African rhythms; on the other hand, we want to remind o u r f e l l o w I t a l i a n s t h a t w e weren't so different from today's immigrants, who seek refuge in our Country and deserve our respect. W i t h t h i s n e w a l b u m , w e would like to give our unique contribution to make the con- temporary Italian (and particu- larly Neapolitan) music tradition known worldwide. If we aim high but with humility, we could change the way people think and play music. And, perhaps, through the important message of sustain- a b i l i t y , e c o l o g y , a n d s o c i a l responsibility conveyed by their music, Capone & BungtBangt could eventually change also the way we treat our planet and help create a better world for future generations. For those interested in learn- i n g m o r e , t h e w e b s i t e www.comesuonailcaos.it shows video tutorials on how to build and play recycled-made instru- ments. More information on the b a n d a r e a v a i l a b l e a t www.caponebungtbangt.com and https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=KFbR_t2ZIwI&fea- ture=youtu.be Capone & BungtBangt: Ecology and Music lessons from Naples SILVIA SIMONETTI One of the most creative Italian music bands of the 21st century, Capone & BungtBangt. Photo courtesy of the band

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