Nabat is an Oi! Punk band hailing from Bologna, Italy, formed in 1979 by Steno N.A.P. on vocals (formerly of R.A.F. PUNK), alongside Stiv "Steve Puke" on guitar, Giulio on bass, and Davide "Lacrima" on drums. That same year, the band made their live debut at the anarchist center "Circolo di Studi Sociali C. Berneri," which is operated by the Federazione Anarchica Bolognese, sharing the stage with several other Bologna punk groups such as R.A.F. Punk, Stalag 17, Bacteria, Anna Falkss, Irha, EHX, among others.
The initial stable lineup included Steno on vocals, Abbondante on bass, Ui-Ui on drums, and Stiv "Jena" on guitar. This configuration recorded a demotape in 1981 in collaboration with Rip-Off, another Oi! band from Bologna. Following the recording sessions, Abbondante departed, and Riccardo joined the band.
In June 1982, Nabat released their first and significant single, "Scenderemo Nelle Strade" ("We'll Go Out Into The Streets"), featuring five compelling Oi! tracks. This release marked one of the first independently produced punk EPs in Italy, quickly establishing Nabat as one of the most cherished Oi! bands in the country.
The subsequent year, 1983, saw the band record and release their second EP, "Laida Bologna" ("Ugly Bologna"). During this period, Nabat played a prominent role in the first and second national rallies held in Monza and Bologna, both of which received positive reviews from the independent Italian music press. However, the third rally in Certaldo on June 18, 1983, ended in controversy due to incidents and provocations by Rip-Off and some audience members with fascist affiliations.
Around this time, Nabat also founded the record label "C.A.S. Records," which produced and released all their records, as well as compilations like "Skins e Punks = T.N.T." featuring Nabat, Dioxina, Arrm, and Rappresaglia, and later the LP "Quelli Che Urlano Ancora..." with notable Italian bands such as FUN, Klaxon, SS20, and Cani.
A highlight of their discography is the LP "Un Altro Giorno Di Gloria" ("Another Glorious Day"), released in 1985. This album, dedicated to Nelson Mandela, Benjamin Moloise, the poet from Soweto who was killed by the racist South African government, and Martò of the 60s Bolognese band, comprises ten tracks that extend beyond the Oi! genre. It was recorded with a new guitarist, Red, formerly of Dioxina.
Despite their growing international fame, the band decided to disband in 1987, shortly after a bootleg recording of Nabat was released in the U.S.
In 1994, the CD "Steno & The Stab - Live alla Morara" was released on Twins Records. This live album captured a concert held in Bologna on January 23, 1992, featuring Steno and The Stab, a punk band that included two former Nabat members. The CD includes several of Nabat's most well-known tracks and showcases their live performance energy. Following the death of their manager, Tiziano Ansaldi, in the summer of 1994, the band reunited in 1995.
Their second album, "Nati Per Niente" ("Born For Nothing"), was recorded at the end of 1995 and released in February 1996 by Banda Bonnot Records, an independent label based in Rome. This album contains 12 tracks plus one bonus and reflects the essence of Nabat in the 1990s. The recording featured a new lineup that included Steno (vocals), Riccardo (guitar), Romano (second guitar), Abbondante (bass), and Toppi (drums).
Current Line-up:
- Stefano "Steno" Cimato: vocals / harmonica
- Marco Farini: guitar / acoustic guitar
- Yuri: bass
- Roberto: drums
Past Members:
- Giulio: bass
- Davide "Lacrima": drums
- Hopi: drums
- Gianni Squilibrio: bass
- Abbondante: bass
- Stiv "Steve Puke" or "Jena": guitar
- Red Raggini: guitar
- Yu Guerra: guitar
- Nando: drums
- Cesare: drums
- Romano: guitar
- Pugnaro: bass
- Toppi: drums
- Joe Randazzo: guitar
- Frank Freccero: guitar
- Riccardo Pedrini: bass, guitar
- Alessio: drums
- Luigi "JJ" Stigliano: drums
- Carlo "Genio" Curti: bass
- Marco "UiUi" Barbieri: drums
- Alex Rossi: drums (for one show only in 2022)