Sugar Free

Sugar Free

Sugar Free is an Italian rock act from Catania, Sicily, formed in 2000. It begins as a cover band playing early rock, R&B and funk before moving towards original material with a more pop-oriented sound after vocalist Matteo Amantia joins in 2003. The group’s line-up includes Matteo Amantia, keyboardist Luca Galeano, bassist Carmelo Siracusa, keyboardist Vincenzo Pistone and drummer Giuseppe Lo Iacono.

Early development

Before recording, the band builds a following in their native Sicily. Its earlier period is centred on performance of cover versions, but the addition of Amantia marks a shift to writing and recording original songs. The group’s style is described as rock, with songs that lean towards pop after that change in direction.

Recorded work

Sugar Free’s debut single, “Cleptomania”, appears in 2004 after the band works in the studio with other young songwriters. The single quickly reaches the top of the Italian charts. The following year, the band releases its first album, Clepto-Manie.

The album is reissued in 2006 with a bonus DVD and includes the single “Solo Lei Mi Dà”, which is performed at the San Remo Festival the previous year.

Membership

The group is associated with Matteo Amantia, Luca Galeano, Carmelo Siracusa, Vincenzo Pistone and Giuseppe Lo Iacono. The name Alejandra Valmorisco also appears in connection with the act.