“It is not necessary for the public to know whether I am joking or whether I am serious, just as it is not necessary for me to know it myself” – Salvador Dalí
Anyone who has not heard about Fakawi is a spider living on Mars.
Fakawi has built the reputation of being Malta’s funniest band and well…..yes it is true. Their live appearances are spontaneous, full of passing comments and pumped with good music to explode your eardrums or at least experience mild forms of tinnitus on your way to bed.
The story behind the name of the band is complex but allegedly anthropological circles have said that the name derives from an indigenous tribe in the African savannah, who, short in stature, live by crop harvesting. Their main affliction is that due to their restricted size they usually get lost in their own fields of various highly cultivated crops of grass. Fakawi is scientific and common name to describe such an affliction. (An affliction suffered also by the members of the band due to their lack of rehearsing sessions.)
The band is made up of Paul Borg Bonaci on vocals and guitars, Reuben Navarro on drums, Mark Attard on keyboards, Antonio Ghio on bass and Ryan Buttigieg on percussion. The band has been playing together for a number of years and the fans have been constantly increasing from parents of the members themselves to various die-hards that have now instituted a cult after the teachings of the band.
Influences in the music vary. From Herbie Hancock to Santana, from Miles Davis to Deep Purple, from Bob Marley to Gary Moore, the list is never ending and so intertwined that would even make a lateral thinker go crazy. Modern influences have also crept in, (especially after the Fabio forked out a lot of grand on his d-drum module!)
Dressing in attire is another trademark of the Band. From 70 style hard-rockers to Honolulu nonchalant tourists, from football stars to blues-brothers fraternity. Fakawi’s wardrobe is as assorted as their music.
This all reflects the band’s motto: “Giving a good show, having fun and throwing some good music here and there."
Fakawi thrive on stimulating good vibes in front of their audience; jumping around, dancing, playing jokes on each other but most importantly involving the listeners in the music and in the fun. A staring crowd is not good enough for Fakawi.
CARPE DIEM!!!! Most importantly Fakawi enjoy the moment to the full, playing in each and every occasion with the same excitement as if it was their first gig, their last gig, their only gig!!
The band boasts a lot of appearances. They have appeared on several TV programmes including Rete 4 and they have also had on their line up Mr. Jon Bon Jovi himself who once played with them in a local bar in Malta whist he was on the island shooting a film. (Well….. it was interesting, not the end of the world though, state Fakawi)
