FLEA - FLEA ON THE HONEY - 1971

Having the distinction of releasing three albums under three different names but without changing their personnel, this quartet from Sicily includes the brothers Agostino and Antonio Marangolo (drums and keyboards, respectively), their cousin Carlo Pennisi on guitar, and Elio Volpini on bass and sax. Based in Rome, they played under the name FLEA ON THE HONEY at the 1971 Viareggio Pop Festival. Later that same year they recorded their self-title debut, which was a decidedly English-influenced hard rock album and was marketed as such by RCA subsidiary Delta. The vocals were in English, and the members were even given English names on the album cover (Dustin, Tony, Charlie, and Nigel, respectively), probably an attempt to foist them off as Englishmen who had come to Italy seeking fame and fortune. Although derivative, the music has some nice moments and is a good hard rock album with a nod toward the nascent progressive movement.

After more live activity, including an appearance at the Rome Villa Pamphili Festival and a mini-tour with METAMORFOSI and GARYBALDI, the band shortened their name to FLEA and recorded their best album in 1972, "Topi o Uomini." The highlight is the 20-minute title track, and the album features vocals in Italian and a more progressive style while keeping their feet solidly in the hard rock camp.

Following the release of "Topi o Uomini," bassist Elio Volpini left the band to join his keyboard-playing brother Enzi in L'UOVO DI COLOMBO. He was replaced in FLEA briefly by Fabio Pignatelli, who later left to join CHERRY FIVE and GOBLIN. FLEA then broke up for a short time, but in 1975 the original four members reunited and changed their name to ETNA. Their only eponymous album represents a major shift in musical style to Jazz Rock, not unlike NOVA and IL BARICENTRO.

The group then broke up for the last time. Elio Volpini played with many musicians on stage and in the studio. Agostino Marangolo joined GOBLIN and was later involved in NEW PERIGEO and later in the new version of NAPOLI CENTRALE. Antonio Marangalo had a successful career as a session musician and released a solo album "Duo" in 1987. Carlo Pennisi played briefly in LIBRA, MEDITERRANEO, GOBLIN, and NEW PERIGEO. The Marangolo brothers and cousin Carlo Pennisi played together again on Agostino's 2001 solo album "Day By Day," which is supposed to be similar to WEATHER REPORT in style.
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