Premiata Forneria Marconi from Milan, PFM for short, were one of the most successful rock bands in their homeland in the seventies. Founded over forty-five years ago, the project continues to exist today with constantly changing members. The only remaining founding member is the 70-year-old singer and drummer Franz Di Cioccio. Musically, the current septet formation has always remained true to itself: complex progressive rock with a Mediterranean touch. Di Cioccio (71) and bassist Patrick Djivas (70), who has been with the band since 1974, are enthusiastic about their latest prank in an interview. And hungry to return to the stage with this one.
eclipsed: What do PFM have to do with "emotional tattoos", and what is that anyway?
Franz Di Cioccio: We chose the title of the album because it sounds very emphatic in our ears. Because we want to express something final: a record hopefully for eternity. Although none of us have a tattoo. At least not that I know of. But you're welcome to take a look next time we meet. (laughs)
eclipsed: Why is the new work available in an Italian and an English version?
Patrick Djivas: When we started production in summer 2016, we actually wanted to do it in English only. But at some point during the process, which ended a year later, Franz said: "Some of the texts only work in Italian. Which he was right. So we translated and changed some contents, because our mother tongue is more lyrical than the rather hard English.
eclipsed: "Emotional Tattoos is more pop than your early records. How's that?
Djivas: The songs are more direct than those of our first albums, also more transparent, without being subordinated to any mainstream. I would say that at the moment we have an exuberant joy of playing. We don't think very cerebral when we start thinking about new compositions. Everything is very relaxed and fluffy.
