Cyclone – the First of the Cyclone Men
Klang Records KLG004 [1989 – reissue 2007]
The Devil Is Knocking On My Coffin – Psyclone Shock – Bates Motel – Doctor Cyclone – Jungle Cat – Telegram Sam – Lonely Zombie – Funny Toy – Freddy Is Back
The group formed in early 1987. At that time, the lineup consisted of Andrea Camerini on vocals, Andrea Pesaturo on guitar, Stefano Pugini on second guitar, Paolo “Piccolo” Monaco on double bass, and Sandro Davani on drums.
Their first concert took place in April of that same year, as an opening act for The Meteors. Other shows followed, alongside bands like Frenzy, Torment, and Guana Batz.
In June, Roberto Berini replaced Davani on drums. In December of that year, Cyclone recorded a six-track demo, which already featured several songs that would later appear on their debut album.
The band began the following year with another lineup change: Paolo Camerini joined on double bass, while Pugini departed, leaving the group as a four-piece. They toured regularly, and in November 1988, they entered the studio to record The First of the Cyclone Men—their debut album, which was released in April of the following year. Their style of psychobilly is typical of the late 1980s, drawing influences from acts like Mad Sin, Demented Are Go, early Coffin Nails, and The Batfinks; it features distorted guitars, rapid-fire slap bass, and raspy vocals.
The musicianship is excellent, and the production quality surpasses that of many other albums from the same era.
While perhaps not the most original in terms of lyrics—featuring the standard tropes of zombies, Freddy Krueger, and Norman Bates, along with somewhat repetitive melodies—the band made the smart choice to keep the record concise (nine tracks), which ultimately makes it a very effective release.
The album sold well, allowing the band to tour throughout Europe and make an appearance at the 2nd Big Rumble in 1990.
Cyclone – Cyclonic Zone
Klang Records – KLG 009 [1991]
Pinocchio Goes To The Cyclonic Zone – Gimme Some More – Who’s Afraid Of The Big Wolf – Kill The Fairy – Fire Rite – The Court Of The Cyclone King – Casablanca – When The Devils Go To Heaven – Should I Stay Or Shuld I Go – The Elephant Stomp – Bocio – Non Voglio Essere Come Te
The European tour that followed the release of their debut album allowed Cyclone to discover new musical horizons and their sound evolved, particularly through their interactions with French bands such as Washington Dead Cats, Mano Negra, and Les Négresses Vertes.
This cross-pollination of styles is evident on Cyclonic Zone, recorded in December 1990 and released in 1991. While Pesaturo’s inimitable voice remains, it is clear that the band had broadened its musical scope; the addition of saxophonist Massimiliano Diotallevi—who joined the group in February 1990—brought an entirely different texture to their sound. The tracks alternate between dark, moody atmospheres and lighter, ska-inflected rhythms, all while maintaining a strong melodic core, even in their most high-energy numbers.
Over the years, Cyclone drifted further and further away from Psychobilly, at times even collaborating with a rapper. After changing their name to Ciclone, they released an album in 1994 sung entirely in Italian.
Fred “Virgil” Turgis
