Goblin, an Italian progressive rock band with a cult following worldwide, is embarking on its first ever North American tour. The tour will begin October 1st in Atlanta (Georgia) and will conclude with a two night run of performances in Austin (Texas) at the Housecore Horror Film Festival on October 25 and 27. Goblin specializes in soundtracks for popular Italian films.
The band will perform all of their classic cuts, including movie scores from Deep Red, Suspiria, Tenebrae, Dawn of the Dead, Phenomena, Sleepless and other songs that are highlights among progressive rock followers. The repertoire will also include songs from Roller, Il fantastico Viaggio del Bagarozzo Mark, and most recently Back to the Goblin. Other famous scores never performed live anywhere will be included on this tour.
In the 1970s Claudio Simonetti (keyboards) and Massimo Morante (guitars), along with Fabio Pignatelli (bass guitar) and Walter Martino (drums) had a band called Cherry Five that released a self-titled progressive rock album. After that, they changed the name to Goblin. The group started composing soundtracks for Italian horror films directed by Dario Dargento. The group’s discography includes a regular studio albums such as Rollers and many movie soundtracks, with a progressive rock foundation. Goblin disbanded in the late 1970s.
The group reformed in 2000 and reunited again 8 years ago when Massimo Morante and keyboardist Maurizio Guarini (who joined goblin in 1975), together with other members of Goblin, released a new album titled Back to the Goblin, after a long absence. Goblin felt it was time to expose the music to new generations of fans and invigorate their loyal following.
In 2009, Goblin started touring the world, visiting major European cities including Berlin, Rome, Paris, and many others. In 2010 Claudio Simonetti re-joined the band
Goblin’s tour was a great success, and the fan base kept growing, bringing back the old enthusiastic crowds of the seventies and converting new fans of all ages along the way. To follow this up, in 2011/2012 the band ventured to Japan and Australia and met the same enthusiasm. This led to an increased desire to come to North America as a full band for the first time ever.
The tour will include a small amount of VIP ticketing, allowing fans to meet the band, get up close, see part of the soundcheck, and walk away with a commemorative poster. Also, during the tour, the band will be selling an exclusive tour EP put out by Death Waltz Records. The EP features brand-new versions of Classic Goblin tracks re-recorded by the recently reunited band. The EP will be pressed on blood-red 180g vinyl and feature an exclusive cover design by poster artist Graham Humphrey’s (Evil Dead, A Nightmare On Elm Street).
Support on the tour (up to October 20) will come from the Northern California based Secret Chiefs 3, formed by Mr. Bungle founding member Trey Spruance. Secret Chiefs 3 have developed quite a cult following of their own over the last 15 years with their blend of other worldly psychedelic rhythms and melodies.
Discography:
Profondo Rosso O.S.T. (1975), Roller (1976), Perché Si Uccidono (O.S.T. with the name Reale Impero Britannico) (1976), Suspiria (1977), Il Fantastico Viaggio Del Bagarozzo Mark (1978), Zombi – Dawn of the Dead (1978), Amo non amo (1979), Squadra Anti-Gangsters (1979), Patrick (1979), Contamination (1980), Volo (1982), Tenebre (1982) , Notturno (1983) , Phenomena (1984) , La Chiesa (1989), Solamente Nero (1996), Phenomena – The Complete Soundtrack (1997), Buio Omega (1997), La Via Della Droga (1999), Non Ho Sonn (2001), BackToTheGoblin 2005 (2006).
Tour dates:
Oct 1 Atlanta, GA – The Loft
Oct 3 Asheville, NC – The Orange Peel
Oct 4 Baltimore, MD – Otto Bar
Oct 5 Philadelphia, PA – Underground Arts
Oct 6 Brooklyn, NY – The Music Hall of Williamsburg
Oct 9 Boston, MA – Sinclair
Oct 10 Montreal, QC – Le National
Oct 11 Toronto, ON – Opera House
Oct 12 Pontiac, MI – The Crofoot
Oct 13 Chicago, IL – Metro
Oct 15 Denver, CO – The Gothic Theatre
Oct 18 Seattle, WA – Neumos
Oct 19 Portland, OR – Hawthorne Theatre
Oct 20 San Francisco, CA – The Regency Ballroom
Oct 21-23 Los Angeles, CA – Beyond Fest at The Egyptian Theater (with a screening of Deep Red)
Oct 25 Austin, TX – Housecore Horror Film Festival
Oct 27 Austin, TX – Housecore Horror Film Festival