Bumblebeez 81

The Bumblebeez (for a period know as Bumblebeez 81) is a Australian band celebrating rhythm and life since 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 debut album proper was the landmark eclectic mess-terpiece "Prince Umberto & The Sister Of Ill", released in 2007.

History

The band was formed by Chris Colonna and his sister, Pia of Braidwood, New South Wales. Chris uses a cut-and-paste technique 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. Ex-members include Will B, Surya Bajracharya, Karuna Bajracharya, Anders Nielsen and Kahl Hopper.

The band were unearthed by National youth 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 opening for Radiohead in Melbourne and Sydney.

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.

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, assassinated or gone under the guillotine the Colonnas keep in the shed for special occasions.

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 the follow up album and in between sessions in the studio, selling firewood to get by.