The Bumblebeez
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The Bumblebeez (for a period know as Bumblebeez 81[1]) T[1]) is a Australian band celebrating rhythm and life since 2003. Their first US release was titled The Printz, although this is simply a compilation comprising all the tracks from their first two Australian EPs The White Printz and The Red Printz (known to fans as the Printz saga). Their debut album proper was the landmark eclectic mess-terpiece "Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill", released in 2007.
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[edit] History
The band was formed by Christopher Colonna and his sister, Pia of Braidwood, New South Wales. Chris uses a cut-and-paste technique to combine hip-hop and rock tracks to which either he or his sister (who goes by the stage name 'Queen ViLa') provides vocals. His friend Jarrah Kidd plays guitar. Ex-members include Will B, Surya Bajracharya, Karuna Bajracharya, Anders Nielsen and Kahl Hopper.
The band were unearthed by National youth radio station Triple J in 2002[2]. Around the same time, they won a competition run by the ABC's short-lived Fly TV, making them the first signing to the Fly Records label. The band refused to record a record a single for the label leading the label taking them to court. The label then gave the band a tiny budget to record their album, leading to a member of the band having to sleep with the mastering engineer as a form of payment for his services. After this, Fly records refused to release the record. In 2005 Bumblebeez, announced via webcast that they might never work in the music industry again, as they had signed a 25 year contract with Fly Records who were in turn refusing to release the band's music.
The spring of 2004 saw the band score a small hit in the United States with their song "Pony Ride" under the pseudonym "Rigor Mortis" and opened for Radiohead wearing masks in Melbourne and Sydney. This was due to their ongoing legal troubles with Fly Records.
2005 saw Chris announce his retirement from music completely as he set off on a quest to circumnavigate the earth by foot, which he completed as he strode down the main street of Braidwood in the nude on Christmas Day of that year. In 2005 Chris finished released a solo record called 'Blood Pie' under the pseudonym "Rabies", but deleted it on the same day.
Previous members of Bumblebeez have continued musical projects including performing as instrumental group the Sonar Radars. They have composed a live re-score to the DW Griffith epic Intolerance. Others have been either jailed, committed to mental institutions or suffered mental breakdowns.
[edit] Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill
Bumblebeez released an EP in November 2006 and featured the single "Black Dirt". The band is also touring with this new material in Spring 2007 in Australia. The band released their latest LP "Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill" in September 2007, featuring the singles "Dr. Love" and "Rio". The album was selected as Triple J's 'feature album' [3] nominated for a J Award on November 28, 2007[4]. The album was then released in the UK and Europe in April 2008 to a sizzling hot reception from critics and fans alike. The record was particularly impactful in Russia, where the band toured and sold a telling 666 copies. The band toured most of Europe in June 2008, taking in shows in the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, Russia and Italy. The worldwide Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill tour also included stops in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.
The band is currently at work on the follow up album and in between sessions in the studio, selling firewood to get by.
[edit] Invisibl Production
Christopher Colonna aka Prince Umberto aka Invisibl has also a handy sideline gig in record production, working with various other artists from all over Earth and other planets and galaxies. His most recent production credits include work with Wolf & Cub and The Vines, as well as a mind-bending 3 hour opus with a "band" from Iceland. After working with him people have been heard to call him "a visionary", "a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a wonton" people come from all over to get a slice of his magic touch.
[edit] References
- ^ "Bumblebeez 81". Triple J. 2004-03-18. http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/musicnews/s1068744.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
- ^ "The Bumblebeez - ACT Unearthed winner". Triple J. http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/unearthed/bands/bumblebeez.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
- ^ "Triple J Music Reviews: Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill". Triple J. 2007-08-17. http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/review/album/s2007553.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
- ^ "The J Award Nominated Albums – Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill / Bumblebeez". Triple J. http://www.triplej.net.au/jaward/bumblebeez_umberto.htm. Retrieved 2008-04-14.
