Nicky Bomba facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Nicky Bomba
Bomba, as a member of John Butler Trio, performing at the 2012 Southbound Festival
Background information
Birth name	Nicholas Caruana
Born	(1963-09-07) 7 September 1963 (age 61) Malta
Origin	Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Genres	Reggae, funk, roots, jazz, ska, mento
Instruments	Drums, percussion, guitar, vocals
Years active	1978–present
Labels	Transmitter FOUR FOUR
Associated acts	Melbourne Ska Orchestra The Truth Bomba John Butler Trio Bustamento

Nicholas Caruana (born on 7 September 1963), known as Nicky Bomba, is an Australian musician and singer. He leads the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, which has won an ARIA Award. He is also the frontman for his band, Bomba. From 2003 to 2004 and again from 2009 to 2013, he was the drummer and percussionist for the John Butler Trio. Nicky Bomba has also performed with other groups and as a solo artist. His youngest sister, Danielle Caruana (who performs as Mama Kin), is married to John Butler, who was Nicky's bandmate. His older brother, Michael Caruana, plays in Bomba and in Mama Kin's band.

Early life and musical beginnings

Nicholas Caruana was born in Malta on 7 September 1963. His family, including his parents Nicholas and Iris, and his siblings Josephine, Michael, and Carmen, moved to Australia in late 1964. They settled in Newport, a suburb of Melbourne. Later, two more children were born, including his youngest sister, Danielle. Nicky Bomba started learning to play the drums when he was just six years old.

In 1978, Nicky and his brother Michael formed a cover band called Fugitive Flight. By 1982, they started playing their own original music and changed their name to Guided Tour. After playing in several other bands, Nicky formed The Truth in Melbourne in 1991. This was a funk music group. The band released their first album, The Truth, in 1995. They released a second album, Headspace, in 1997 before the band broke up.

Forming new bands

Banana Oil and Bomba

In 1998, Nicky Bomba started a jazz band called Banana Oil. They released an album called Guavo Lampo. The band members, including Nicky, won an award for their jazz music.

In 1999, Nicky formed his band Bomba. This group played reggae and funk music. Nicky played guitar, percussion, and sang lead vocals. His brother Michael joined the band in 2003. Bomba released four albums between 2000 and 2006. These included Population, Solar Plexus, Learn to Breathe, and Bomba Vs. Laroz.

Melbourne Ska Orchestra

In March 2003, Nicky Bomba created the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. This was a very large group with 27 to 32 musicians! His idea was to have many horn players on stage at once. They played ska music, which is a lively style from Jamaica.

Later that year, Nicky joined the John Butler Trio as their drummer. He recorded their third album, Sunrise Over Sea, with them. After the album was released in March 2004, he went back to playing with his bands Bomba and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Solo music and other projects

In 2005, Nicky Bomba released an album called Limestone with Joe Camilleri. In 2007, he recorded an album of Maltese songs, Nicol Caruana, with his father. He then released his first solo album, Planet Juice, in 2009. On this album, he played drums, guitar, ukulele, and marimba.

Nicky Bomba at a rally in Warburton, Victoria, 2008

By July 2009, Nicky had rejoined the John Butler Trio. They recorded two more albums together: April Uprising (released in 2010) and Flesh & Blood (released in 2014). Nicky helped write some of the songs on these albums. In August 2013, it was announced that Nicky had left the John Butler Trio.

During 2012, Nicky also worked on a side project called Bustamento. This band played mento music, a style from Jamaica. They released their first album, Intrepid Adventures to the Lost Riddim Islands, in May 2012. Their second album, Intercontinental Journey 7, came out in November 2014.

In October 2021, Nicky Bomba released another solo album called Food and Shelter. All the songs on this album are about the themes of food and shelter.

Family life

Nicky Bomba's sister, Danielle Caruana, is a musician known as Mama Kin. She is married to John Butler, who was Nicky's bandmate. Nicky's brother, Michael Caruana, also plays music with Mama Kin and in Nicky's band, Bomba.

Discography

Albums

Awards and nominations

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are big awards in Australia for music. They celebrate great music from all different styles.

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards are awards given each year to celebrate music from Victoria, Australia.