Born in Rome, Italy, The Spikes is a genre-bending artist raised between worlds and shaped by raw rebellion, poetic depth, and visual art. Being Italian American had a strong impact on his artistic path. “I was born in Rome,” he says. “My father is American and my mother is Italian. I sort of grew up on the road as part of a film family.”
Primarily an alternative artist, The Spikes draws inspiration from icons such as Jim Morrison, Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, and Lou Reed. “I was attracted to those lyricists and that sound,” he explains. “It’s always been more about the writing, the message, and the atmosphere than fitting into a genre.” His music career started at an early age and went through several phases before he became The Spikes. At just 16, he co-founded a punk band called Delicate Prey that “mostly played illegal shows around Rome.”
That era—rough and spontaneous—formed the foundation for his stagecraft and songwriting. “It’s where I found my love for performing,” he recalls. “I learned how to use a stage three-dimensionally—not just standing at a mic, but moving into the crowd, interacting, making the whole space come alive.”
Becoming “The Spikes” meant creating an alter ego—a character that allows him to fully embrace his talent not only as a performer but also as a songwriter, giving him a whole new perspective.
Recently, The Spikes released his new single “Guns for the Children,” a direct, powerful, and deliberately uncomfortable track. “It’s a short battle cry, a warning, a slogan,” The Spikes says. “If we arm our children with guns, they will one day turn those same guns on us. […] It’s not a political statement. It’s a humanitarian cry to the world.”
In this exclusive interview with InMusic, The Spikes opens up about “Guns for the Children,” the meaning behind his alias, and the ever-evolving creative voice that has moved from punk beginnings to a sound that now leans more toward the abstract and escapist.
How would you describe your sound?
My sound can never really be pinned down. I think as an artist I am always trying to change and evolve. If you look at ‘Guns For The Children’ and then my new album, you will see a large shift in the sound and song writing. The new album leans more toward an escapist sound than anything.
Why did you choose The Spikes as your stage name, and what does it mean to you?
There are a few reasons why I have an alias. One, I like the name THE SPIKES as an artist name more than my own name. Two, I find performing under an alias allows me to step into character, kind of like a David Bowie as a Ziggy Stardust. I can more easily escape myself and become someone different. Third, when writing songs, maintaining an alias identity allows me to dive into a character and see things through outside eyes.
You’ve worn a lot of creative hats-musician, poet, painter, sculptor. How do these forms of expression influence each other?
Each of my art disciplines will follow a certain theme at a certain time. Not that they are literally the same idea at the same time. But they are all related. And each of these art disciplines, whether it be a painting, collage or poem, all have a direct influence on my songwriting. Many times my poetry turns directly into a song. For instance songs like The Exit and ‘Gentleman’s Ballad’ were originally poems but later became part of my first EP THE SPIKES.
You co-founded a punk band at 16. How did that early experience shape your artistic voice today? Do you ever miss that raw energy?
My early experience with ‘Delicate Prey’ was primeraly playing illegal shows around Rome and having to pick up our amplifiers and run from the cops. We never had a license to play on the streets or in the bars of Rome, but we would just wheel up, outside cafes and on the Ponte Sisto bridge and jam illegally. It was super fun. Even then, we were playing original material, not covers. So we were never a bar band. This is when I started to write lyrics and was exploring all kinds of different subjects and sounds. But most importantly, it is where I found my love for performing. I had to grab people’s attention and I did. Sometimes we were invited to play for the school and we would turn this into a full on concert. We had teachers and students moving and getting involved. Here, I learned how to use a stage three dimensionally. Not just standing at a mic, but moving into the crowd.
Can you tell us about your new single, “Guns For the Children”?
The song ‘Guns for the Children’ is a short battle cry, a warning, a slogan. If we allow our children to be armed with guns, they will one day turn those same guns on us. It’s a revolutionary yell to stop doing this. Do something now, before our kids rise against us.
What’s the meaning behind the song?
It’s true in America guns are readily available to anyone, even kids. It has become a part of American family life. But let’s not get hung up on this whole issue being an American thing. Children being armed with guns and used as soldiers and shields exist in countries inside both Africa and Asia. Thousands of kids are being armed with guns.
Different means, reasons and intentions, but it is still Children with guns. The point is a child is still developing mentally. They do not understand the consequences of pulling a trigger. They should not have guns. It is not a political statement. It is a world wide warning that children should not be armed with guns. Period. I’m not sure who takes the stance or argument against this. Unless they have some pretty evil intentions and think childhood is something that should be risked or thrown away. It is not a political statement but a humanitarian cry to the world. That is the message. The lyrics are a warning. Honest, strong and to the point.
What does the title represent to you?
The title was purposely meant to sound like we are handing out guns to kids. It also sounds like another catch phrase, ‘Toys for the Children’ It’s almost like our gift to the kids. I think that title is a strong way to catch someone’s attention. It sort of shifts the guilt to us, the adults. It fits well with the message: If we arm our children with guns, they will one day turn those same guns on us.
What message do you hope to share through your music-and why?
I don’t think there is one underlying message in my music. Every song of mine has its own message and theme. Guns was a carry over from my previous EP. My new album is quite different. My songwriting used to be narrative and the new album is more abstract.
Trying to capture more the emotion or character of each song as opposed to telling a story. The sound is more an escapist soundscape as opposed to a formulaic rock song.
It’s more about creating these worlds where the character’s’ stories can be explored and heard. There is romance in the tragedy and tragedy in the romance.
Is there anything else you’d like people to know?
Not really. Maybe knowing less is better.
Listen to The Spikes’ “Guns For the Children” on our Spotify playlist:
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