The Della Roccas have a long and chequered history but it's probably best that they don't tell you about it. The band were once described as "educated hooligans", however this statement is misleading and only half true. They formed in Sheffield and played gigs under a different name with little rehearsal and no bass player. A crate of Stella and an Eighth bought them their first demo. The local music paper said it sounded like it had been recorded under a duvet. The band didn't listen to the critics - the critics, in turn didn't listen to the band. Despite this the demo proved to be good value, securing them gigs at the city's famous Barfly, Casbah, and Grapes venues. For the next two years they gigged around Sheffield and the north of England. A rowdy performance at the S....horpe Rock Open (an event that was every bit as glamorous as it sounds) proved to be the last. The drummer had been evicted by an excitable bouncer before the results had even been announced. The next ten months were dominated by call centres, covers bands and strange men in wigs with full heads of hair. It was, by all accounts, a pretty boring ten months and it was unanimously decided to reform in a new city with a new name. "The Della Roccas" moved to London, and decided to find a bassist. They duly found him, sailing in off the Cape of Good Hope. The new line up wrote a new set, began to practice every night (once a week was about the best they'd ever previously managed) and began playing regular gigs around the Big Smoke. To date they've taken in among others The Bull & Gate, 93 Feet East, The Windmill, The Purple Turtle and The Half Moon. Described as "...akin to the Sex Pistols covering Led Zeppelin" and "North London's Arctic Monkeys on Pro-Plus" The Della Roccas believe in playing music that's fast, loud and distorted, but strive for melodies that even the tone-deaf could whistle. They pride themselves on having never said "no" to a booking unless they are already on elsewhere. This simple philosophy has helped them to mould a tight live set, though no amount of gigs or practice could ever fully iron out the disorder that surrounds a Della Rocca show. Whether it's the death defying antics of frontman, Jonny Della Rocca or the spectacle of a band in perfect harmony, to see them live is to truly see them...just ask any of the loyal faithful and they'll tell you as much. And if YOU don't believe it - come and join the family.