There’s a kind of music that feels dirty, groovy and completely absorbing within just a few minutes. Supernaughty bring exactly that kind of atmosphere: fuzzy riffs, psychedelic trips and raw energy mixed together with the spirit of classic stoner rock running through their songs. In September, the band will also arrive in Hungary for the Jam in the Psych Castle festival, so this conversation works as a kind of warm-up before meeting them live. We talked with them about the early days, the Apocalypso album, the instinctive nature of writing music together, and of course a few less serious things as well.
Tell us a bit about yourselves – where did Supernaughty come from?
We came together around 2014, each of us already playing in different bands, and started out as a Black Sabbath cover band. Over time, we developed a strong chemistry that led us to create original music. After a lineup change in 2016 (bass player), we grew by blending our different backgrounds, and now we’re on our third album, proud of the journey so far.
Is this your first serious project, or have you been involved in music before in other bands or formations?
Each of us comes from a strong musical background, having started playing in the late ’80s in various bands within the underground scene of Livorno. Some of those bands gained a bit of recognition locally. Over the years, we all kept playing despite work and family commitments, sometimes in less ambitious projects, like cover bands or more experimental music, without really releasing anything significant. Then, mid 2013, me (Alessio), Filippo e Angelo we reconnected around a shared idea, and about a year later the Supernaughty project officially began.
What was the moment when you said: “ok, this is going to be a band”?
Signing with Argonauta Records made us realize things were changing, our music was starting to reach beyond the Italian scene. It pushed us to think more like a real band, and that moment definitely marked a turning point for us.
What does the stoner / fuzz / psychedelic direction mean to you?
To be honest, the stoner influence is definitely important to us. The ’90s, especially for those of us who lived through them in our twenties, were kind of like ’60s and ’70s. the ’90s were a defining era. After the ’80s, ruled by metal, pop, and synth-heavy disco, the Seattle bands and the Stoner bands from the desert scene, changed everything. It wasn’t just a scene, but a movement. They stripped rock down to something raw, authentic, and visceral, more direct, more aggressive, and undeniably real. And yeah, they were cool as hell.
That said, we’re not defined by just one influence. Each of us brings a different background, and while grunge is something we all share, it’s not the only direction we follow when we write music.
Are there any specific influences, or does everything come more instinctively?
Each of us has different influences, some lean more toward metal, others toward punk, and some even bring in a bit of pop. What really defines us, though, is that our songwriting has always come from jamming together. That gives our music a direct, instinctive feel, which we later refine before recording.
Since we all have jobs outside the band, time is limited, and inspiration doesn’t always come during rehearsals. Unlike many bands that start from riffs developed on a computer, we’ve always created songs by playing together in the rehearsal room. That said, we’re now trying to experiment with new ways of working, even if our approach is still mostly instinctive.
Do your songs usually start from riffs, or more from a general mood or atmosphere?
Our songs almost always start from a riff. Usually, Filippo brings in the initial idea, and then we all develop it together. Occasionally there might already be a lyrical concept, but most of the time everything begins with the riff.
Is it a democratic chaos, or is there someone who usually leads the direction?
you could call it a kind of “democratic chaos”, everyone shares their opinion. I’m Alessio, the drummer, and I tend to be the most critical one, which sometimes makes the others hate me a bit (laugh). But in the end, we respect each other’s ideas and work to make sure everyone is satisfied with the final song.
Has it ever happened that a good idea was completely scrapped?
No, we’ve never had a fully finished song that was scrapped. Sometimes we start with an idea that sounds good, but in the end it doesn’t fully satisfy everyone, so we decide to scrap it.
Apocalypso was released in August 2025 – now that some time has passed, how do you look back on the album?
we’re still very satisfied with the work we’ve done. In the past, we did notice some “mistakes” on our earlier albums, partly due to limited resources and a bit of inexperience. But this time, we had a much clearer vision, and we made the album exactly the way we wanted. The response has been great, and honestly, even looking back now, we wouldn’t change anything.
Has anything changed for you since its release, either musically or in your approach?
Not really, musically nothing has changed. We’ve already started working on new songs, but the style is the same. Our approach has always been professional, even if this is more of a passion than a job for us: how we show up, punctuality, gear, everything.
What has changed is more the perspective after signing with Ripple Music. We’re proud to be on their roster, and we feel a stronger responsibility to keep up their level, especially live, showing that we’re a band that wants to do things properly.
Was it a conscious decision to make the songs more catchy while still keeping the raw, fuzzy sound?
The catchiness of our songs really comes from our musical background. Even in songs by Black Sabbath, Tony Iommi has a very catchy approach despite the doom and heaviness, many riffs and solos are actually very memorable and melodic. So for us it feels natural to write that way too, shaped by the bands we grew up with.
Is there a track on the album that works especially well live, or has already become a crowd favorite?
Yes, there are a few. From the album “Temple” surely “HellBoar” has definitely been one of the most successful. From the new record, “Amsterdamned” is currently getting a great response. We’ll see during the upcoming autumn tour and festivals what the audience connects with the most. And you, what’s your favorite?
In September you’re coming to Hungary for the Jam in the Psych Castle – what are your expectations for the show?
We’re really curious about the location, which I understand is quite a special one, and also about experiencing the energy of the Hungarian audience. It’s actually our first time in Hungary, so we’re very curious about that as well.
It feels like a great edition overall, with strong bands like Weedpecker and Mr Bison (that are very close friends) and many more italian bands. There’s a lot of anticipation, and we’re hoping for a great time and a strong response from the Hungarian crowd.
Have you played in similar environments or in front of Eastern European audiences before?
This is the first time we’re playing in front of the Easter European audience, so it’s a completely new experience for us.
How is Supernaughty live – what should someone expect who sees you for the first time?
They say we’re loud, very energetic, groovy, and fun, so we want everyone down in front of the stage. If you come along with us, we get even more hyped and you’ll have even more fun too.
What’s the drink that always works for you?
As an Italian, I can’t not say red wine, especially, but to be honest, beer and gin and tonics work just as well 😁
What sound / effect / piece of gear can you not live without?
As a drummer, I can’t not mention the pedal, definitely the kick pedal.
Luca (bass player): my power boost
Filippo (guitar player): my Les Paul
Angelo (vocals & rhythm guitar): my black SG
Has there ever been a completely chaotic gig?
It depends what you mean by “chaotic.” If you mean chaotic in terms of organization or stage management, then no, not really. But if you mean a messy or confusing concert because of a very reactive crowd, then yes, absolutely. We’ve played in some very unusual places. There was one in Genoa where we went on stage at 2:30 a.m., and five minutes before that there was nobody there.
People know that in that venue the live shows start really late, so they only begin to show up around 2:30 a.m. and then the place suddenly fills up and explodes with energy. It was really fun, but also a long night…
Do your mothers know what you are doing? 😄
Sure! Italian mothers always worry about their kids, always. In fact, the most important question they ask us, no matter where we are, is: “Have you eaten?” That’s the number one priority for Italian mums, never forget it.
Thanks again to Alessio and the whole Supernaughty crew for taking the time to answer our questions. We’re really looking forward to seeing you live in Hungary at the Jam in the Psych Castle this September — and hopefully this is only the beginning of a longer conversation somewhere between loud amps, fuzz pedals and a few glasses of red wine. Cheers!
AMEN!
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