DOM MARIANI A BRIEF HISTORY
Emerging from arguably the world’s most isolated capital Perth Western Australia, Dom Mariani is a rock and roll stylist whose career has been a resplendent one in the creative stakes – a songwriting road that has never wavered from excellence. With a serious interest and love of underground 60’s garage rock, classic pop, power pop, soul and R&B, Dom would form one of Australia’s most loved and respected bands of the mid to late 80’s THE STEMS. From their formation in the early summer of late 1983 to the end of 1987 THE STEMS with Dom at the helm as singer, songwriter and lead guitarist steadily infiltrated Australian radio, press and alternative charts, winning the hearts of critics and a legion of loyal fans. A succession of classic singles and a chart topping LP “At First Sight-Violets are Blue” stirred interest as far a field as Europe and the US. But foremost it was his ability to write great songs and the bands electric live shows that made them stand out from the rest.
After the demise of the THE STEMS and a short playing stint with THE SUMMER SUNS Dom would eventually return in 1990 with the THE SOMELOVES, a studio collaboration with friend Darryl Mather (Lime Spiders, Orange Humble Band) who’s first and only LP of guitar driven pop “Something or Other”, is considered as minor pop masterpiece by critics and fans alike. The album went on to win seven “WAMI’s” (Western Australian Music Industry Awards) in 1990, with Dom also collecting the most outstanding songwriter award.
However, the promise of the Someloves was short lived and contractual problems would not see a new release from Dom for another 3 years. A Return to live gigging during this time would play a big part in Dom’s resurgence in the music scene in the 90’s. Having finally secured a release from his record deal at the end of ‘92, the beginning of ‘93 would see the start of a new era for Dom and his new band DM3 as one Australia’s greatest exponents of guitar driven pop (referred to by aficionados as Power Pop). The debut single “FOOLISH” was released in April ’93 and heralded his return with another loud, tight, electric rock‘n‘roll outfit. The song would also take out the most outstanding single of that year at the WAMI awards. DM3’s first LP “ONE TIME TWO TIMES THREE RED LIGHT”(1993) mixed by legendary American producer MITCH EASTER (REM, PAVEMENT, SON VOLT, LETS ACTIVE, VELVET CRUSH) received widespread critical acclaim and sold throughout Australia, Europe and the US and was followed by European tours in ‘94 and ’95.
It would be another 3 years before DM3 were to release their second LP “ROAD TO ROME” (also mixed by Mitch Easter). Praised by critics of guitar driven pop in Australia, Europe and the US as one of the best albums for ’96 of it’s genre. Their fusion of melodic pop hooks, cool vocals and high energy rock’n’roll guitar earned them high praise and many new fans. In the same year they embarked on another successful European tour playing to packed houses across Spain, France and Scandinavia. 1998 would see the release of “RIPPLED SOUL”, the 3rd album from DM3. A more diversely structured album, the album was also well received by fans and critics alike in Australia, Europe and US. 2 more albums, an EP and 7inch single were also released between 1999-2001. These 2 albums titled “GARAGE SALE Vol. 1” and “GARAGE SALE Vol. 2 – ITALIAN STYLE” collected previously unreleased tracks, non album b-sides, alternate mixes, odd covers, live and songs previously only available on 7 inches. The Just Like Nancy EP which was eventually compiled onto GARAGE SALE Vol. 2. DM3 would eventually split in at end of ’99 after touring Spain, France and Germany to return briefly for a short tour of Italy in March of 2001. He released his first solo album in “Homespun Blues and Greens” in 2004
Dom has continues to tour Europe where he continues to be a popular draw card with the Stems in 2003 and as a solo artist on the release of his Anthology “Popsided Guitar” in 2005. The Stems were also invited to play the prestigious Little Steven’s Underground Garage Festival in August of 2004 alongside rock legends The Stooges, Bo Diddley, The New York Dolls, Nancy Sinatra and the Stokes to name but a few, and with the Stems he has just released a new album title ”HEADS UP”.
THE INSTRUMENTAL SIDE
Dom has been a long time fan and dabbler of instrumental guitar music, and during his career has hinted at something more than just a passing interest. Having written a swag of instrumentals in the early ‘80’s with his band the Gostarts which he would later record for the Ep “From 20,000 Fathoms in ’86 as the STONEFISH. These instrumentals would also surface as B-sides and bonus tracks on some DM3 albums. This brings us to his latest project THE MAJESTIC KELP. An idea that’s been around for some 10 years Dom has finally saw this project come to life with the release of the album UNDERWATER CASINO in June2003. Having stockpiled a bag of tunes for what he envisaged would be a simple surf guitar record, the jam sessions would take on a deeper and more diverse instrumental direction. With a nod to influences such as The Ventures, the Shadows, Link Wray, Ennio Morricone and Ultra Lounge Sounds Dom takes a left turn from the Pop World and delivered an album that’s winning the hearts of critic’s and fans alike. A second album “Music to Chase Cars By” was released in 2006.
The Stems return and then say goodbye
With the release of the critically acclaimed HEADS UP album, 2007/ 2008 Dom would reunite with the legendary Stems to tour with other heavy weights of the Australian rock scene The Hoodoo Gurus and Radio Birdman. In March 2008 they toured the globe to enthusiastic audiences playing concerts in the US (including the SXSW Festival in Austin Texas), United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Scandinavia. October 2009 would see The Stems play farewell shows across Australia. Their last ever shows would be played in Spain, Italy and Greece in May 2010.
2010 AND BEYOND
The end of the Stems sees Dom return and involvement in other projects including THE DOMNICKS, his collaboration with former Clash member Nick Sheppard.
*****REWIND AND PLAY*****
Dom has just released a new solo album on Liberation Music entitled REWIND AND PLAY and is set to tour nationally and internationally.
2011
Dom Mariani & Greg Hitchcock have been treading the boards around Australia (and beyond) for the better part of most their lives. Greg has toured and collaborated with You Am I, The Monarchs, Tim Finn and The Dearhunters. While Dom has fronted The Stems, The Someloves and DM3, amongst other bands. Through these various bands and projects, 2011 brings Dom and Greg full circle to front explosive Rock’n’Roll combo Datura.
Combining a shared passion for full-tilt boogie, heavy Psychedelia and classic Rock’n’Roll, Datura pull no punches when it comes to delivering a Rock’n’Roll sound heavy on riffage and decibel cracking volume.Datura are currently in the process of recording their 10 track debut album at Kingdom Studios which they are planning to release during the second half of 2011. With influences ranging from Sunbury era Aztecs and Lobby Lloyd’s Coloured Balls to Peter Green’s Fleetwood Mac and mid period Yardbirds, you can expect a four-to-the-floor assault on both ears and speakers once this record drops.
Info from the Dom Mariani website. Check Dom’s websites for more and updated information