Uzeda

Known mostly for their live performances and extensive touring , the four members of the Italian band Uzeda began playing together in 1987. At that time, the band was a five-piece consisting of Giovanna Cacciola on vocals, Raffaele Gulisano on bass, Davide Oliveri on drums, and Agostino Tilotta and Giovanni Nicosia on guitar. Hailing from Catania, Sicily, the band chose to name themselves Uzeda after a gateway leading into one of the oldest parts of city, which is located on the slopes of the active volcano Mount Etna. The band released their debut album, Out of Colours, in October 1991. In 1993, producer Steve Albini traveled to Catania to record and mix Uzeda's second release, Waters. Although the label A.V. ARTS released these two albums, Uzeda chose to be independent in 1994, turning down deals from other labels and promoting and booking their own shows. But after working with Albini a second time in 1995, as well as Touch & Go's Corey Rusk, the band released their EP 4 on Touch & Go. In January of 1995, Nicosia left the band, making it a foursome. After releasing and touring in support of 1998's Different Section Wires, Uzeda took a break, during which Tilotta and Cacciola performed with Bellini, which also featured Damon Che from fellow Touch & Go outfit Don Caballero. In 2006, Uzeda finally returned with Stella, a gripping set that once again featured Albini at the controls.