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 September 7, 1963), known as Nicky Bomba, is an Australian musician. He writes songs and sings too! He leads the Melbourne Ska Orchestra, which has won an ARIA Award. He is also the main singer for his band, Bomba. Nicky used to be the drummer and percussionist for the John Butler Trio. He has also performed on his own and with other music groups. His youngest sister, Danielle Caruana, is a musician known as Mama Kin. She is married to John Butler, who used to be in a band with Nicky. Nicky's older brother, Michael Caruana, plays in the band Bomba and also with Mama Kin.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Nicholas Caruana was born in Malta on September 7, 1963. His parents, Nicholas and Iris, had four children in Malta. The family moved to Australia in late 1964. They settled in Newport, a suburb of Melbourne. Later, they had two more children, including their youngest daughter, Danielle. Nicky Bomba started learning to play the drums when he was just six years old.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out: The Truth Band

In 1978, Nicky Bomba and his brother Michael started a cover band called Fugitive Flight. By 1982, they began playing their own songs. They changed their band name to Guided Tour. After playing in several other bands, Nicky formed The Truth in 1991. This was a funk music group in Melbourne. Nicky played drums, Michael played keyboards, and they had other members.

The Truth released their first song, "Secrets," in 1992. They followed it with "My Heavy Friend" in 1993. Their first album, The Truth, came out in 1995. In 1997, they added a bass player and changed their name simply to Truth. They released a second album called Headspace. The band Truth broke up in late 1997.

New Sounds: Banana Oil and Bomba

In 1998, Nicky Bomba started a jazz band called Banana Oil. They released an album called Guavo Lampo. At the APRA Music Awards of 1998, Nicky and other Banana Oil members won an award for their jazz song, "My Family."

In 1999, Nicky formed his band, Bomba. This group played reggae and funk music. Nicky sang and played guitar and percussion. The band had many talented musicians. By 2006, Bomba had released four albums. These included Population (2000) and Solar Plexus (2002).

Big Bands: Melbourne Ska Orchestra and John Butler Trio

In March 2003, Nicky Bomba had a big idea. He started the Melbourne Ska Orchestra. This was a huge band with 27 to 32 musicians! His goal was to have many horn players on stage. They would play ska music, which is a lively style from Jamaica.

Later that year, Nicky joined the John Butler Trio. This band included his brother-in-law, John Butler. Nicky played drums and percussion for their third album, Sunrise Over Sea. After the album came out in 2004, Nicky went back to playing with his bands, Bomba and the Melbourne Ska Orchestra.

Solo Work and Bustamento

In 2005, Nicky Bomba worked with musician Joe Camilleri. They released an album together called Limestone. In 2007, Nicky recorded an album of Maltese songs with his father, Nicol. This album was called Nicol Caruana.

Nicky Bomba at a rally in Warburton, Victoria, 2008

In 2009, Nicky released his first solo album, Planet Juice. On this album, he played many instruments himself. These included drums, guitar, ukulele, and marimba.

Nicky rejoined the John Butler Trio in 2009. They recorded two more albums, April Uprising (2010) and Flesh & Blood (2014). Nicky even helped write some of the songs. In 2013, Nicky left the John Butler Trio.

Around 2012, Nicky started a new project called Bustamento. This group played mento music, a style from the Caribbean. They recorded their first album, Intrepid Adventures to the Lost Riddim Islands, very quickly. They released a second album, Intercontinental Journey 7, in 2014.

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

Family Connections

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. He is a member of Nicky's band Bomba and also plays with Mama Kin.

Discography

Nicky Bomba has released many albums throughout his career. Here are some of his albums:

Awards and Nominations

Nicky Bomba and his projects have been recognized with several awards and nominations for their music.

ARIA Music Awards

The ARIA Music Awards are big awards in Australia for music.

Music Victoria Awards

The Music Victoria Awards celebrate music from Victoria, Australia.