Insight
Krystal were a Montréal hard-rock band active from at least 1990 through the end of the decade. The group’s principal lineup featured vocalist Mimmo Oliveri, guitarists Mario ‘Biff’ Biferali and Freddy Di Santo, bassist Mimmo Di Stefano and drummer Pauly Della Rocchetta. Their music combined melodic hard rock with blues, boogie and traditional rock-and-roll influences.
Guitarist Mario Biferali, born in Toronto and raised in Montréal’s east end, has described Krystal as the beginning of his professional career. The band’s early development was associated with Vince Marino, who managed or produced some of their initial work. Biferali later recalled that Krystal won a local competition and received an opportunity to tour Canada. During its performing years, the group shared stages with artists including Aldo Nova, I Mother Earth, Downchild Blues Band and Lee Aaron.
Krystal’s earliest known recording was a self-titled cassette released by Dance Plant Records in 1990. The cassette contained ‘Hearts in Disguise’ and ‘Home Again’, with both songs repeated on its second side. The band subsequently issued the cassette Beg, Borrow or Steal independently in 1992.
Their first full-length CD, Plug This!, appeared independently in 1994. Its guitar-driven material combined blues-oriented hard rock with straightforward rock and roll and included a version of Gary Moore’s ‘Movin’ On’. DeRock Records reissued the album in 1999 as DERCD-9016.
Krystal returned that year with Three Chords & a Song, issued by DeRock as DERCD-9017. Produced and arranged by the band, the album was recorded at Planet Studios, engineered by Sandro Bassani, mixed by Bassani and Krystal, and mastered at Soundtracks Studio in Montréal. Shahe Sinanoglu contributed keyboards and Kevin Gillespie played harmonica. All material was written by Krystal except Richie Supa’s ‘Chip Away the Stone’.
Although no later Krystal release has been documented, its members remained active in music. Biferali moved into solo recording, while Oliveri later became the frontman of the AC/DC tribute group 21 Gun Salute and developed his own solo material. Krystal’s small independent catalogue preserves the work of a Montréal band that continued to pursue blues-based, guitar-centred hard rock throughout a decade in which that style had largely moved outside the mainstream.
-Robert Williston
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Krystal / Three Chords and a Song
Krystal / Three Chords and a Song
Three Chords and a Song
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Credits
Musicians
Mimmo: vocals
Mario ‘Biff’ Biferali: guitar
Freddy Di Santo: guitar
Mimmo Di Stefano: bass
Pauly Della Rocchetta: drums
Additional Musicians
Shahe Sinanoglu: keyboards
Kevin Gillespie: harmonica
Songwriting
All songs written by Krystal, except ‘Chip Away The Stone’, written by Richie Supa
Performance
All songs performed by Krystal
Production
Produced by Krystal
Arranged by Krystal
Engineered by Sandro Bassani
Recorded at Planet Studios
Mixed by Sandro Bassani and Krystal
Mastered at Soundtracks Studio, Montreal, Quebec
Artwork
Photography by Joe Gennaro
Artwork and cover design by Kat Calder
Release
Released by DeRock Records Inc.
Distributed by Distribution Select
Made in Canada
Website
www.demuzik.ca
www.krystal.qc.ca
Special Thanks
The Oliveri’s, Biferali’s, Di Stefano’s, Di Santo’s, and the Della Rocchetta’s. As always, thanks for the ultimate support. Chris Lynge, Cathy Howell, Gianna Belluso, Cindy Robidoux, Tina Titsus. Uncle Vito & Nat, Mimmo Rat. Gerri Miller at Metal Edge Magazine (thank you for the kind words). Ferny & Rita Caluori, Frank & Sylvie Della Rocchetta, Michel & Pina Gingras, Jean & Rosa Duplantis, Leonard & Mimmi Del Duca, Danny & Anna McLear, Tina Della Rocchetta, Gina Filipetto, Elio & Laura Caluori, Sergio & Antoinette De Poli, Amadeo & Robbie Bellio and their beautiful kids. Angie Howell, Angela Gervasi, Kathy Gennaro, Mélanie Raymond, Joe ‘Sepla’ Gennaro, Corrado, Bruno, Patty, Zakk, Louie, Kenny ‘Time? What Time’ Malandra, Johnny (Biff watch it! It’s gonna jump in your nose) Malandra, Maurice Ouaknine & Carmen Biferali and The Belluso’s.
Bobby, Sergio, Dino, March and their New Millennium rock band Contageous. Thanks Bob for tickling the ivories with us night after night, may the force be with you! Rosemary & Bruno, Veetch & Tony (Hoomba-Hoomba). Al at Maritime Grating, Joe 19, Tara Adams, Regis & Georgina, Jeff Roberts, Marco Biello, Sandro & Nancy Faustini, Moreno in Italy. Grazie. Tony & Al (Siko) at Kitts Music—you guys rule! Michael Alati, thanks for the licks. Tom Mathers at Perris Records, thanks for believing. Dave Byrne at CR Productions, everyone at Godin guitars, Kat Calder for your time, Steven Fazio and Guido Diodati at DeRock Records.
To all the fans who supported us throughout the years…thanks for the letters, keep ’em comin’.
For those who’ve waited so long…
Here’s Three Cords and A Song!
Enjoy!!!
A Big Thanks To
Shahe Sinanoglu: ivories
Kevin Gillespie: harp
For sharing your talent.
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