Tre Allegri Ragazzi Morti
Live @A.R.C.I. Tom, Mantova 30.01.09

LA RECENSIONE

"We will never be like you, we will never be like you: we are different. You can call us if you want, you can call us if you want lost boys" (Davide Toffolo)

When I saw them for the first time it was in the '90s, so from a time perspective, not many years ago, but mentally there's at least a geological era in between...

Yes, in short, apart from the fact that at that time both they and I were younger, our unhappiness was due to existential causes and not to less noble problems like "how the hell will I pay the gas bill this month?" with a consequent disillusionment that led us to regret that "sought pain" which made strolling through those terribly "X" years much cooler (and read whatever you want: the '90s for those who were twenty then were whatever you can think of). It's not that now the Pain of Living (the Agnelli-like one, confused with too much coffee, not the Montale-like one) has left us, but if then it was a medal to be proudly displayed, now it's an uncomfortable but necessary companion we carry around as we float in the void of the "0" years (a very different variable from that wonderfully interpretable "X").

I say this because it's what I feel and what I saw in Toffolo's eyes before, during, and after the concert: in the '90s we thought we were born to lose, well here we are: we succeeded perfectly. Should we be happy (?)

If you're still reading after this heavy introduction, I'd say you've earned a description of the concert. Here it is for you:

The concert (as part of the "Rarities Tour") starts around midnight and besides the three historic members on stage, there's also a second guitarist with a beautiful headdress: Toffolo introduces him as the "Fifth Merry Dead Boy" (the fourth is his companion who towards the end of the set will come on stage to sing "Il Mondo Prima"). The setlist alternates famous songs by the group like "Occhi Bassi" and "Mai come voi" with others less usual in their live performances (such as "Mio fratellino ha scoperto il Rock 'n Roll") and includes an acoustic interlude and the performance of "Gennaio": cover of Diaframma (a track included in a tribute to Fiumani's band: "Il Dono" released in 2008). The classic "Pop-Rock Punk Intimista" script of the Pordenone Band was respected for the rest: and for about ninety minutes.

The person accompanying me (a longtime TARM fan) had a great time, I, who admire them but can't consider myself a fan, did too: despite a nostalgic lump that kept me company throughout the performance. Caused by the feelings I mentioned in the introduction.

I don't feel like telling you anything else.

Mo.