The Bumblebeez

The Bumblebeez (for a period known as Bumblebeez 81) is an Australian band, formed in 2003. Their first US release was titled The Printz, although this is simply a compilation comprising all the tracks from their first two Australian EPs, The White Printz and The Red Printz (known to fans as the Printz saga). Their first proper debut album was Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill, released in 2007.

History

The band was formed by Christopher Colonna and his sister, Pia, of Braidwood, New South Wales. Chris uses a cut-and-paste technique "Biography at AllMusic.com". Allmusic. Retrieved 2010-07-08.</ref> to combine hip-hop and rock tracks to which either he or his sister (who goes by the stage name 'Queen ViLa') provides vocals. His friend Jarrah Kidd plays guitar.

The band was unearthed by the Australian radio station Triple J in 2002. Around the same time, they won a competition run by the ABC's short-lived Fly TV, making them the first signing to the Fly Records label.

The spring of 2004 saw the band score a small hit in the United States with their song "Pony Ride" and opened for Radiohead. 2005 saw Chris announce his retirement from music completely as he set off on a quest to circumnavigate the earth by foot, which he completed as he strode down the main street of Braidwood in the nude on Christmas Day of that year. Due to Chris's less than impressive packet, he received little adulation for his "little" nudie run and promptly turned back to music.

Previous members of Bumblebeez have continued musical projects including performing as instrumental group the Sonar Radars. They have composed a live re-score to the DW Griffith epic Intolerance. Others have been either jailed, committed to mental institutions or suffered mental breakdowns.

Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill

Bumblebeez released an EP in November 2006 and featured the single "Black Dirt". The band is also touring with this new material in Spring 2007 in Australia. The band released their latest LP "Prince Umberto and the Sister of Ill" in September 2007, featuring the singles "Dr. Love" and "Rio". The album was selected as Triple J's 'feature album' nominated for a J Award on November 28, 2007. The album was then released in the UK and Europe in April 2008 to a sizzling hot reception from critics and fans alike. The record was particularly impactful in Russia, where the band toured and sold a telling 666 copies. The band toured most of Europe in June 2008, taking in shows in the UK, Spain, Germany, France, Sweden, Russia and Italy. The worldwide Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill tour also included stops in Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

The band is currently at work on their next album.

Invisibl Production

Christopher Colonna aka Prince Umberto aka Invisibl has also a handy sideline gig in record production, working with various other artists from all over Earth and other planets and galaxies. His most recent production credits include work with Wolf & Cub and The Vines, as well as a mind-bending 3 hour opus with a "band" from Iceland. After working with him people have been heard to call him "a visionary", "a riddle wrapped in an enigma wrapped in a wonton" people come from all over to get a slice of his magic touch.

Samples

The rapper Black EL (formerly Black Element) sampled "Black Dirt" by The Bumblebeez on his song MILF and Cookies, produced by Durkin.

External links

• Official website
• Template:MySpace
• Template:MySpace
• Bumblebeez discography at MusicBrainz
• Bumblebeez 81 discography at MusicBrainz
• Video for "Dr. Love"