Viveca Stucke ‘26
Chief Features Editor
Fat Morgan, a band formed at Holy Cross, released their highly anticipated album on Monday, Feb. 17. The album, recorded in the Prior Performing Arts Center during the Spring of 2024, features eight tracks, including three singles previously released by the band. All the members are alumni from the Class of 2024, with the exception of John Mondi, a member of the Class of 2025.
Who are the members?
Stephen Giannikas – Drums
Joe Bargmann – Lead Vocals
Matt Conway – Lead Guitar
Brendan Ring – Keyboards
Chris Terranova – Bass
John Mondi – Backing Vocals
How long has the band been together?
The band in its current configuration has been together since early 2023, with Giannikas, Conway, and Terranova playing together for a few years prior.
What is the story behind the album?
The album is 8 tracks long and includes the three singles that Fat Morgan have released throughout the last year: “Girl With A Gun,” “Moonlight Heights” and “Ram Jam.”
The LP was recorded over the course of two months during the spring 2024. The band self produced and engineered the record, working directly out of the recording studio at the Prior Performing Arts Center. Friend and mentor, Professor Brian Saia, lent an expert hand in delivering a professional mix and master.
How did everyone meet?
Cast your mind back to the covid-restriction-riddled spring of 2021 Giannikas, Conway and Terranova are huddled outside, donning medical masks discussing Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath and the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Soon later, they formed the short lived and much forgotten, indie-rock quartet, Alma Sun. However, unsatisfied with their musical path, the band quietly disposed of their drummer and entered into a confusing period of directionless inactivity.
Then, on one faithful, rainy Worcester evening, Giannikas introduced the boys to Bargmann and Ring. After one rehearsal it was clear this was the way forward: Ring’s blistering organ lines perfectly accompanying Conway’s frantic solos.The devilishly swinging, Giannikas/Terranova tag-team rhythm section holding it all together. All the while, soaring above the noise, was Bargmann’s timelessly raspy howl.
Fat Morgan was born.
Following Ring’s brief (yet explorative) European hiatus in 2023, Fat Morgan brought in multi-instrumentalist John Mondi as a temporary organist. With the return of Ring in 2024, Mondi has remained a permanent friend of the band, providing intricate harmony arrangements in the studio and a McCartey-esque thump as the touring bass player.
What are some details about the songs on the album?
Fat Morgan’s songwriting method is a simple one and harkens back to the golden age of band driven music. First a member brings forward a new idea — it is presented flippantly, as though conjured entirely through stream of consciousness — though, of course, Giannikas and Bargmann have privately refined its intro, verses, bridges and choruses days in advance. The band quickly takes up the tune. Feeding off the song’s rapidly forming energy, they twist together melodies, beats and riffs, molding an intuitive and cohesive piece of music. And to finish… guitar solos, MORE GUITAR SOLOS!
Where can you stream the music?
All major streaming platforms. Anywhere you take it, they’ve got it!
Featured image courtesy of @fatmorganband on Instagram
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