Black Cats
Black Cats
Interview with Black Cats, a Milano based rock band, on the local scene, competition, success and more.
Black Cats are a Milano based rock band. Their journey together started around a year ago, when the founders, lead singer Tommaso and guitarist Matías, moved from Napoli and got an opportunity to organize an underground event the “Milano Rock Show”. With bassist Allie and drummer Davide joining, the band was born and instantly connected. Since then the Black Cats performed at X Factor, Musicultura and they’re consistently showing up on local events growing their audience, preparing for their first studio album release.
Black Cats are a Milano based rock band. Their journey together started around a year ago, when the founders, lead singer Tommaso and guitarist Matías, moved from Napoli and got an opportunity to organize an underground event the “Milano Rock Show”. With bassist Allie and drummer Davide joining, the band was born and instantly connected. Since then the Black Cats performed at X Factor, Musicultura and they’re consistently showing up on local events growing their audience, preparing for their first studio album release.
Tommy: Losing our reality, we decided to create our own. What I love about the four of us is that we have very different perspectives on life and mixing it together, we really are able to create something new. Working on a solo project, you stay in your own world, but when you have to communicate between four creative visions, that makes you create something really different.
Tommy: Losing our reality, we decided to create our own. What I love about the four of us is that we have very different perspectives on life and mixing it together, we really are able to create something new. Working on a solo project, you stay in your own world, but when you have to communicate between four creative visions, that makes you create something really different.
Matias: I think it’s very cool. We didn't really know who we were gonna become, and all that we went through together shaped our band and ourselves.
Matias: I think it’s very cool. We didn't really know who we were gonna become, and all that we went through together shaped our band and ourselves.
Tommy: Our sound, our identity.
Tommy: Our sound, our identity.
What does the Milan alternative scene look like from inside?
What does the Milan alternative scene look like from inside?
Tommy: Amazing, fuck! It’s like a rebirth of something important, I think, which is like, it's a necessity, you know. What is happening in Milan right now, I think it's a consequence of a necessity, of an extreme society of appearance. Just imagine, we are just fucking rocking, destroying and creating and expressing what we have inside.
Tommy: Amazing, fuck! It’s like a rebirth of something important, I think, which is like, it's a necessity, you know. What is happening in Milan right now, I think it's a consequence of a necessity, of an extreme society of appearance. Just imagine, we are just fucking rocking, destroying and creating and expressing what we have inside.
Do you feel part of a real community, or is everyone competing?
Do you feel part of a real community, or is everyone competing?
Matias: No, not competing at all. I don't know if you’re asking because we went to X-Factor, maybe it made it look like we compete with other bands but we don't compete at all. This is what you could witness tonight (ROTTEN at Spazio Diaz 28.05.26), an event of the scene. You are supposed to compete for the TV, for the media, but we don't fucking compete, you know, it's our shit all together.
Matias: No, not competing at all. I don't know if you’re asking because we went to X-Factor, maybe it made it look like we compete with other bands but we don't compete at all. This is what you could witness tonight (ROTTEN at Spazio Diaz 28.05.26), an event of the scene. You are supposed to compete for the TV, for the media, but we don't fucking compete, you know, it's our shit all together.
Tommy: The industry tries to put us against each other but we are just working together, we know that. We can also take advantage of it, because sometimes people want a little bit of drama. We had a little beef with the Copper Jitters, for example, but inside we kinda knew that we were just playing around. We love each other and we all want to do the same thing.
Tommy: The industry tries to put us against each other but we are just working together, we know that. We can also take advantage of it, because sometimes people want a little bit of drama. We had a little beef with the Copper Jitters, for example, but inside we kinda knew that we were just playing around. We love each other and we all want to do the same thing.
Matias: I think this scene was actually born just, like, a year ago, around the time me and Tommy moved here. There were some bands, some jams happening, but no events where there were concerts. Now everyone is involved, everyone can play. Kind of because of us and because of Copper, more stuff is happening, like, okay, let's do fucking events where we pay our own music and do our stuff.
Matias: I think this scene was actually born just, like, a year ago, around the time me and Tommy moved here. There were some bands, some jams happening, but no events where there were concerts. Now everyone is involved, everyone can play. Kind of because of us and because of Copper, more stuff is happening, like, okay, let's do fucking events where we pay our own music and do our stuff.
Which venues or events helped Black Cats grow?
Which venues or events helped Black Cats grow?
Tommy: When we came to Milan in the first place, we created the Milano Rock Show. That's where Black Cats and our friendship with other bands started. We felt this need to play all together on a stage and mix our fans, so we could have a real community. So, the Milano Rock Show is definitely something...
Tommy: When we came to Milan in the first place, we created the Milano Rock Show. That's where Black Cats and our friendship with other bands started. We felt this need to play all together on a stage and mix our fans, so we could have a real community. So, the Milano Rock Show is definitely something...
Matias: Something very important. We, as Black Cats, were born from the Milano Rock Show. We got that opportunity to organise an event in a super underground place, it was like a basement of a pizzeria, like whatever. But we had this opportunity and we didn't want to miss it.
Matias: Something very important. We, as Black Cats, were born from the Milano Rock Show. We got that opportunity to organise an event in a super underground place, it was like a basement of a pizzeria, like whatever. But we had this opportunity and we didn't want to miss it.
Tommy: At that point, we didn't even have any songs, no friends. Matias just moved here...
Tommy: At that point, we didn't even have any songs, no friends. Matias just moved here...
Matias: Yeah, I was sleeping on his sofa.
Matias: Yeah, I was sleeping on his sofa.
Tommy: So we were alone. We were like, okay, fuck, we can make the event, but who’s gonna show up? What are we gonna play? So we decided to try and put together a band. I remember the first time I saw Allie was at Saloon of the Artists in Chinatown. I was like, oh my God, that is the coolest girl ever. She was coming there alone with this huge bass, just plugging it in and playing whatever she wanted. And then we met Davide, he was a friend of our landlord. When we all played together for the first time we instantly connected.
Tommy: So we were alone. We were like, okay, fuck, we can make the event, but who’s gonna show up? What are we gonna play? So we decided to try and put together a band. I remember the first time I saw Allie was at Saloon of the Artists in Chinatown. I was like, oh my God, that is the coolest girl ever. She was coming there alone with this huge bass, just plugging it in and playing whatever she wanted. And then we met Davide, he was a friend of our landlord. When we all played together for the first time we instantly connected.
Which one of your songs represents the band the best?
Which one of your songs represents the band the best?
Davide: I think “Si Balla”.
Davide: I think “Si Balla”.
Matias: “Cibale” is actually an unreleased song, it’s grunge with some punk influences, and it's in Neapolitan. I think it has a very fresh sound.
Matias: “Cibale” is actually an unreleased song, it’s grunge with some punk influences, and it's in Neapolitan. I think it has a very fresh sound.
When are you gonna release it?
When are you gonna release it?
Matias: Well, we made a fucking cool album in a fucking cool studio. For now, we just released one song, but when we figure some stuff out, we will release eight more songs in the next season. We are waiting for the right environment to do so.
Matias: Well, we made a fucking cool album in a fucking cool studio. For now, we just released one song, but when we figure some stuff out, we will release eight more songs in the next season. We are waiting for the right environment to do so.
Will we be able to hear it this year?
Will we be able to hear it this year?
Tommy: Hopefully, but probably after September.
Tommy: Hopefully, but probably after September.
Coming back to the question, which song represents you the best?
Coming back to the question, which song represents you the best?
Allie: When I think about the sound and the meaning of the song, it's two different things. Sound-wise, I think Roxy, but meaning-wise, maybe Cori Salta.
Allie: When I think about the sound and the meaning of the song, it's two different things. Sound-wise, I think Roxy, but meaning-wise, maybe Cori Salta.
Allie: And I broke my tooth.
Allie: And I broke my tooth.
Matias: She broke her tooth! It was a crazy moment.
Matias: She broke her tooth! It was a crazy moment.
Tommy: Wait, tonight?
Tommy: Wait, tonight?
Allie: Yeah, like right now.
Allie: Yeah, like right now.
Tommy: Holy motherfucking shit, wait.
Tommy: Holy motherfucking shit, wait.
Do you think Milan pushes bands toward a specific sound?
Do you think Milan pushes bands toward a specific sound?
Tommy: Milan is kind of the capital of the Italian music industry, so of course it tries to push young people to pop and trap.
Tommy: Milan is kind of the capital of the Italian music industry, so of course it tries to push young people to pop and trap.
Matias: But we are not that, you know?
Matias: But we are not that, you know?
Tommy: Yeah, exactly, we’re a new, different scene.
Tommy: Yeah, exactly, we’re a new, different scene.
Matias: We had the opportunity to make that album we mentioned, the opportunity to fully discover our sound in an environment where just our brains were involved, no pressure, no one breaking our balls. So you can like it or not, but our sound is unique, because it's coming from us and no one else.
Matias: We had the opportunity to make that album we mentioned, the opportunity to fully discover our sound in an environment where just our brains were involved, no pressure, no one breaking our balls. So you can like it or not, but our sound is unique, because it's coming from us and no one else.
What did X Factor actually change for you?
What did X Factor actually change for you?
Matias: A lot, actually. I mean, I was one of those guys that used to say, ah, I will never go to X-Factor in my life, blah, blah, blah.
Matias: A lot, actually. I mean, I was one of those guys that used to say, ah, I will never go to X-Factor in my life, blah, blah, blah.
Allie: I think everyone here said that.
Allie: I think everyone here said that.
Tommy: Yeah, when they first called us, they were like “oh, guys, you're cool, you're good, would you come to X-Factor?” and we were like, no, bye.
Tommy: Yeah, when they first called us, they were like “oh, guys, you're cool, you're good, would you come to X-Factor?” and we were like, no, bye.
Allie: We told them that we won’t participate and I think the only reason we went is because of me. I told them “Okay, guys, but let's at least let them know that we're not going, so that we’re still on good terms”. We called them to refuse but then the lady was like “no, but like, come on, you should just see how it is” so we thought, whatever, we'll just go. We went and the people were applauding us like we're already the winners or some shit.
Allie: We told them that we won’t participate and I think the only reason we went is because of me. I told them “Okay, guys, but let's at least let them know that we're not going, so that we’re still on good terms”. We called them to refuse but then the lady was like “no, but like, come on, you should just see how it is” so we thought, whatever, we'll just go. We went and the people were applauding us like we're already the winners or some shit.
Tommy: Yeah, what the fuck, it was crazy.
Tommy: Yeah, what the fuck, it was crazy.
Matias: We went to the casting just with our songs, but you know, X-Factor is a cover singing competition. So that was kinda our ultimatum, we’ll go but be ourselves. But the truth is, we didn't really know who we were because by then, we had been playing together for, like, two months.
Matias: We went to the casting just with our songs, but you know, X-Factor is a cover singing competition. So that was kinda our ultimatum, we’ll go but be ourselves. But the truth is, we didn't really know who we were because by then, we had been playing together for, like, two months.
Allie: We didn't even know any covers. We just played what we knew, which was our songs.
Allie: We didn't even know any covers. We just played what we knew, which was our songs.
Tommy: Because we don't do covers. After one week, they called us and they said “we got you, but you need to learn some covers” We thought, all right, let’s try, but we weren't prepared, actually, you know. But it gave us a lot of visibility and valuable experience. Being a two-month old band, it helped us grow a lot. Even just facing something so stressful, it connected us even more.
Tommy: Because we don't do covers. After one week, they called us and they said “we got you, but you need to learn some covers” We thought, all right, let’s try, but we weren't prepared, actually, you know. But it gave us a lot of visibility and valuable experience. Being a two-month old band, it helped us grow a lot. Even just facing something so stressful, it connected us even more.
Matias: I don't know if the rest of you would agree with me, but personally, I think that maybe we wouldn’t still be here if it wasn't for X-Factor. Because we were playing together, everything was cool, but suddenly, we had a real goal, a huge stage to play on.
Matias: I don't know if the rest of you would agree with me, but personally, I think that maybe we wouldn’t still be here if it wasn't for X-Factor. Because we were playing together, everything was cool, but suddenly, we had a real goal, a huge stage to play on.
Tommy: We didn't care about the TV. It was more of a, oh fuck, that's the biggest stage we can play on, in front of 1,000 real people, not counting a million behind the TV.
Tommy: We didn't care about the TV. It was more of a, oh fuck, that's the biggest stage we can play on, in front of 1,000 real people, not counting a million behind the TV.
Allie: We also met so many awesome people, we made a lot of friends in X-Factor.
Allie: We also met so many awesome people, we made a lot of friends in X-Factor.
Tommy: Yes shout out to Vittoria Donda, to Abat-Jour, to Mazzoli. Lovely friends. Mille Alice. We still love them and hear from them every day, it’s amazing.
Tommy: Yes shout out to Vittoria Donda, to Abat-Jour, to Mazzoli. Lovely friends. Mille Alice. We still love them and hear from them every day, it’s amazing.
Matias: Actually, for this I have to say X-Factor works. They make it look like people are competing, but we were not competing at all. We made friends, musician friends. It’s all much more underground than people think.
Matias: Actually, for this I have to say X-Factor works. They make it look like people are competing, but we were not competing at all. We made friends, musician friends. It’s all much more underground than people think.
What about Musicultura?
What about Musicultura?
Tommy: Fuck, Musicultura, best stage ever! Best stage. Best people. Very lovely. We were expecting something like X-Factor, but it was much more theatrical.
Tommy: Fuck, Musicultura, best stage ever! Best stage. Best people. Very lovely. We were expecting something like X-Factor, but it was much more theatrical.
Allie: The stage was inside a theatre, so it makes sense.
Allie: The stage was inside a theatre, so it makes sense.
Tommy: But also, the people working there. It was much more real, much more genuine.
Tommy: But also, the people working there. It was much more real, much more genuine.
Matias: The main difference between X-Factor and Musicultura is that X-Factor is a TV show, they mostly cared about how good looking you are on the TV, while Musicultura didn't care if as a guy you wear a dress for example, they cared about the music. A punk band has a lot to do with aesthetics, so we don’t really have to worry about an image, but we entered a place where the music was the most important, which means we’re not only a cool punk band but cool musicians as well. I was really proud of us.
Matias: The main difference between X-Factor and Musicultura is that X-Factor is a TV show, they mostly cared about how good looking you are on the TV, while Musicultura didn't care if as a guy you wear a dress for example, they cared about the music. A punk band has a lot to do with aesthetics, so we don’t really have to worry about an image, but we entered a place where the music was the most important, which means we’re not only a cool punk band but cool musicians as well. I was really proud of us.
Davide: It definitely seemed more focused on the music side, without any pushed drama behind the scenes.
Davide: It definitely seemed more focused on the music side, without any pushed drama behind the scenes.
Allie: Felt more professional.
Allie: Felt more professional.
Matias: X-Factor built fucking drama to make views. After X-Factor, we've been hated and shitstormed by a lot of people.
Matias: X-Factor built fucking drama to make views. After X-Factor, we've been hated and shitstormed by a lot of people.
Allie: But only online, not in real life.
Allie: But only online, not in real life.
Matias: In real life, people would say “Oh, I've seen X-Factor, I love you, I support Black Cats” but online, they were shitstorming us. When I was a kid, I was wondering how it would feel to be shitstormed? It's something, but it's also true that it lasts a week and then people just move on. So, I loved both X-Factor and Musicultura.
Matias: In real life, people would say “Oh, I've seen X-Factor, I love you, I support Black Cats” but online, they were shitstorming us. When I was a kid, I was wondering how it would feel to be shitstormed? It's something, but it's also true that it lasts a week and then people just move on. So, I loved both X-Factor and Musicultura.
What does success mean for Black Cats right now?
What does success mean for Black Cats right now?
Matias: In my opinion, success right now is that, first of all, we were able to make a good quality record in a good quality studio, without anyone breaking our balls over it. I think it's a beautiful thing that not many people can experience. Second of all, we have only one song officially released but tonight (at ROTTEN) the room was full and I didn't know anyone. I don't have any friends, you know, just the band and maybe three more. So, for me, this is success. The last thing is that we get to support each other with other musicians, and not just to say “bro, I support you” but actually make events and other stuff happen.
Matias: In my opinion, success right now is that, first of all, we were able to make a good quality record in a good quality studio, without anyone breaking our balls over it. I think it's a beautiful thing that not many people can experience. Second of all, we have only one song officially released but tonight (at ROTTEN) the room was full and I didn't know anyone. I don't have any friends, you know, just the band and maybe three more. So, for me, this is success. The last thing is that we get to support each other with other musicians, and not just to say “bro, I support you” but actually make events and other stuff happen.
Tommy: To me, success is a very beautiful word. Because in Italian it’s “successo”, which also means “happened”. So we need to split this question in two, what's the success we found during our year together and what’s the success we are pointing to. The success we found now is our freedom of expressing ourselves. This is such luck, guys. Not everyone can express themselves with music the way we do, and I love you guys. This is something that I will never forget. And this is something that already happened. That's our success.
Tommy: To me, success is a very beautiful word. Because in Italian it’s “successo”, which also means “happened”. So we need to split this question in two, what's the success we found during our year together and what’s the success we are pointing to. The success we found now is our freedom of expressing ourselves. This is such luck, guys. Not everyone can express themselves with music the way we do, and I love you guys. This is something that I will never forget. And this is something that already happened. That's our success.
Matias: If tomorrow I die, I’m successful because I did it.
Matias: If tomorrow I die, I’m successful because I did it.
Tommy: And the success we are pointing to could be keeping what we have and touring the fucking world together. Expressing this to thousands of people. Because it's like, luck, like a treasure that I don't want to keep only for myself. We want to share this with others.
Tommy: And the success we are pointing to could be keeping what we have and touring the fucking world together. Expressing this to thousands of people. Because it's like, luck, like a treasure that I don't want to keep only for myself. We want to share this with others.
What artists shaped Black Cats the most?
What artists shaped Black Cats the most?
Matias: I take a lot of inspiration from the punk scene. I have Argentinian roots from my father’s side, so I wish to write lyrics like Pino Daniele and make my guitar sound like Argentinian and Mexican punk bands like Margaritas Podridas for example.
Matias: I take a lot of inspiration from the punk scene. I have Argentinian roots from my father’s side, so I wish to write lyrics like Pino Daniele and make my guitar sound like Argentinian and Mexican punk bands like Margaritas Podridas for example.
Davide: I would say the two drum sounds that I want to add to our band are Nirvana and Led
Zeppelin, but my biggest personal influence is a band from Australia, Hiatus Kaiyote, they shaped me the most and really opened my mind.
Davide: I would say the two drum sounds that I want to add to our band are Nirvana and Led
Zeppelin, but my biggest personal influence is a band from Australia, Hiatus Kaiyote, they shaped me the most and really opened my mind.
Tommy: I don’t really have one idol, I approach music as this one big, beautiful thing. I always love to say that I don't go to search for music, but she finds me. All the songs that I have in my playlist, which is just one big playlist, get to me in an emotional moment, I pass by a radio and I catch a song and I’m like “Fuck, that's my new song” and I'm listening to it for a month every day. If I really have to say something, maybe from my childhood, it would be Lucio Dalla or Pino Daniele, and, of course, the influences of the big, like Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Mötley Crüe, a lot in the aesthetic, you know, in the charm and glam. But I love the whole thing, it's like a big poke. I like to eat it all together.
Tommy: I don’t really have one idol, I approach music as this one big, beautiful thing. I always love to say that I don't go to search for music, but she finds me. All the songs that I have in my playlist, which is just one big playlist, get to me in an emotional moment, I pass by a radio and I catch a song and I’m like “Fuck, that's my new song” and I'm listening to it for a month every day. If I really have to say something, maybe from my childhood, it would be Lucio Dalla or Pino Daniele, and, of course, the influences of the big, like Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Mötley Crüe, a lot in the aesthetic, you know, in the charm and glam. But I love the whole thing, it's like a big poke. I like to eat it all together.
Matias: We live together, me and Tommy. He can be in the next room playing the piano, some The Beatles song for example but like a hundred times non stop, or Franco Califano.
Matias: We live together, me and Tommy. He can be in the next room playing the piano, some The Beatles song for example but like a hundred times non stop, or Franco Califano.
Tommy: I love Franco Califano.
Tommy: I love Franco Califano.
Matias: I used to but now I think I’ve had enough.
Matias: I used to but now I think I’ve had enough.