The tour is almost over, yet a handful of dates to the beginning of October and then flies to California to bring some 'bel canto to paisà d' overseas. But the last few months, for Afterhours, have been particularly intense. The decision to go to San Remo, where they no doubt lack the self-deprecating look Silvestri or helium, it has cost much in terms of support from of the most intransigent among professionals, but the goal to reach as many people as possible the message of hardship and want to do more to contribute in some way to change things may have been reached. If it is true, for example, that a few weeks ago to de The country is real ended in red stripe of the first page of ' Unit . Not bad for the guys who were never exactly of the pioneers of Combat Rock. They have scanned, the front page, slapped el'hanno the official site. This also earned him some criticism, the Afterhours
"Why is the newspaper of a political party," says Agnelli. "But it has nothing to do. For us it was a source of great pride. This is a very important national newspaper, and is a significant signal that has shown this attention to a song. And in particular it is a song for us is our great satisfaction. Within this passage there is all the disorientation for a situation like the present, without more reference points, there is disappointment, despair. What 's Unit he has taken a verse on the front page is a thrill and an honor. "
The country is real is a compilation that collects pieces of a good slice of the best Italian indie music of today. In practice you've loaded them on his shoulders, put ec'avete well as the face, going Sanremo. From Tora! Tora! on this attention to what happens around you, among other musicians, has become one of your constant.
"Yes, there is continuity with what we have always done. For me it is very important to be a musician, music would devote all my life, but I'm also a grown man who wants to have a role in society, wants to be helpful. Those of our generation have all started self-producing, making great sacrifices. We know how things are, in fact. And make our contribution to make to get to the public artists who would otherwise not have space is important. The media, for some time, have more to think about. For us this is to make culture. And for this a little 'controversy to attract attention, sometimes it is healthy. At times it is necessary to take a stand. It can be risky, you can make mistakes, but you have to do it. "
How long do you still see the rock star on stage? In other words, seventy Agnelli is seen more as a devil, like Mick Jagger, or as that seems to have become sought chansonnier Iggy Pop?
"I would say that I hope to beat both, in seventy years, to be better than them, because they are not now nor have been twenty years. Seriously, it depends on how I behave the way I feel and make me feel grotesque. Live music with sincerity, I do so visceral. I believe that if at some point I will not feel more at ease with the rock I'm going to make things more intimate, which I like very much indeed. It is essential to do the things we recognize, the attitude is accordingly. "
About privacy. In your latest album, The Milanese killed on Saturday , you can recognize a kind of disc in the disc, almost a concept album on the track under your authorship. Apparently took thee truly changed my life.
"Definitely. And I know that this is something so personal that it is difficult to transmit. Anyone who has lived even understand the songs, others are struggling. It is obvious that a twenty year old, say, one can not recognize. But I can not help but write about me, or at least to express my views on others and on things. I am fortunate to have people listen to me, people I ask questions, and writing songs when I need to do so. And then, forty years, without necessarily wanting to do the cosmic rebellion, I like the idea that not everything I do is immediately implemented. "
The Afterhours, today, are just Agnelli is typically three or even more Ciccarelli, D'Erasmo Era and can be considered members of the band to all intents and purposes?
"The After is a band with roles, and this can not be denied. If they say that I am the leader, I agree. I'm the one that pushes more, that has formed. But all others are fundamental. No one has particular problems of ego or dissatisfaction. Who is gone (the , in the matter of time, "Lombroso" Dario Ciffo and "Mariposa" Enrico Gabrielli, ed ) maybe these feelings he had developed over time. There are roles, then, but we're a real band. The sound of each individual, the personality of each one, count so much. In recent live we aim to build a great power, even before the execution. You could see ten concerts with the same lineup, and hear ten different concerts. Every time we go on stage, what matters is the tension created between us. "
In mid-October Afterhours land in Los Angeles with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Line 77, Negrita, The Niro, and more. Hit Week Los Angeles : a kind of Cantagiro on the West Coast?
"I hope not. In reality it is a very interesting project. The impetus came from the local Italian community, but will not be an event made just for Italians in America. When we go to the States we have our nice club circuit in which to play, and it works. This time we wanted to try something different, and this idea seemed good. Our hope is that we can provide the music for the music, not an Italian crude, somewhat 'caricaturist. We do not care to be there for a matter of the flag, but in our music has to be Italian, is a question of roots, culture, and that feels. "
It closes with the Amarcord. Why not all musicians of our home happened to step on the same stage a few minutes later would have been trampled by the likes of Michael Stipe, Peter Buck and Mike Mills. In other words, Rem. A Manuel Agnelli. It happened almost exactly ten years ago. July 1999 Dall'Ara stadium in Bologna, memorable day of music: Afterhours, Wilco, Suede and Rem all at once, one after the other, from mid afternoon into the night. Bill Berry had just gone, and Rem had recently become the "three-legged dog" who are still today. Ten years is not a joke. Agnelli But if I remember well that day.
"I remember that Suede were very nice, and Wilco lead singer was sick, almost fainted onstage. I remember that Rem was great. Before our concert Mills and Buck came into our dressing room, bring the CD, as were an unknown band that wanted to be known. We had to explain to them that we had all their records, Ciccarelli had also led to do some vinyl sign. Then he listened to all of our concert stage board, along with Anderson and Suede: they said that we liked a lot. Finally, Stipe, we dedicated a song. It was Gardening at Night, I remember very well. People were in hand, interested in the music of others. It gave us a great lesson that we carry with us even now: it can be professional without being hysterical. Awesome. "
