The name Bernie & Pod was derived from the founder band members’ name and profession…Bernie for Bernard and Pod for Ivan’s profession (Podiatry). Bernard and Ivan have known each other for more than 20 years and in 2014 they decided to raise funds for children being taken care of by the Ursuline Sisters by performing an acoustic gig. In 2015 Duncan was invited to join the acoustic duo as a percussionist. The band never looked back and together as a team they strive to produce innovative and unique music.
Bernie & Pod do their utmost to produce innovative and unique kind of music, mainly in Maltese. The band has released three original songs, each song being accompanied with a music video. Apart from their original productions, they also perform in different local festivals and have been invited to perform in well-known events such as The Farsons Great Beer Festival, Rockestra and Birgu Fest. They also perform in various pubs around the Maltese Islands where they are distinguished for the vibe they create throughout their gigs.
In 2017, Bernie and Pod’s original song “Int u Jien dal-Miled” was chosen as one of the main songs to be performed by the band in the National Christmas Concert organised by the OPM where the band was also accompanied by the Malta Youth Orchestra.
Bernie & Pod are continually working on new material to provide you with an exceptional music experience.
Band Members
Ivan Farrugia
Ivan, son of Paul, the guitarist of the popular band The Followers in the 70s, was raised listening to his own dad’s music. Due to noise problems at home, Ivan had to give up on a drum kit and opt for an acoustic guitar, but the urge to make himself heard persisted and thus sang along to his tunes.
In his fervent teenage years Ivan dragged his guitar wherever he went, being a BBQ with friends or a school activity where he loved to entertain his friends with prominent songs of the time. He played in various amateur bands but was never interested in the music industry.
Some 20 years later, Ivan wanted to take his passion for music a step further. In 2015, he got in touch with his long-time friend Bernard asking him to consider the idea of forming an acoustic duo and enjoy some jamming sessions together. Bernie and Pod was founded that same year.
Ivan’s penchants for the music genres vary widely but his favourite artists remain to be Johnny Cash, CCR, George Ezra and Mumford and Sons.
Bernard Bonnici
Notwithstanding Bernard’s keen interest in music from a tender age, he only started playing guitars at around the age of 15 but has not looked back since then. Bernard’s guitar studies have recently been taken to another level, up to Grade 8, where the guitarist proudly achieved a distinction classification in both theory and lead guitars. His next ambitious target is a Diploma in practical guitar.
Meanwhile Bernard founded his first band, With No Lead. The band played in various bars and pubs, including the iconic BJs where With No Lead were a resident band. He also joined the established band, Airport Impressions, on stage a number of times. Despite knowing Ivan for a number of years, it was only in 2015 that they decided to found the acoustic set-up known today as Bernie & Pod.
His passion for travel gave him the opportunity to play overseas, mainly in various bars and beer gardens in Bavaria, Germany. Bernard enjoys listening to various music genres and has a good ear for good lyrics, but his heart lies in soft/acoustic rock. Indeed his favourite bands are Counting Crows, Athlete, Matchbox 20, Snow Patrol and Stereophonics.
Duncan Borg
Music always played a major role in Duncan’s life. He strongly believes that apart from being a piece of art to be enjoyed and admired it is also a stimulating way to express your innermost emotions, philosophy and values.
His passion for music budded at a very young age and despite his avid interest in a number of genres he had alternative rock and grunge mostly at heart. The Foo Fighters, Radiohead and Audioslave were in fact among his favourite bands.
As a child Duncan always dreamed of becoming a musician and luckily enough, in 2010, the opportunity of learning a musical instrument presented itself. Since then, his drumsticks have become an extension of his limbs!
After 2 years of practice Duncan decided to found his very first band, Infinite Loop, an alternative rock band which provided endless memorable opportunities to play around Malta and abroad. Following a gig in 2014, Ivan offered a new challenge, that of joining his acoustic band Bernie and Pod and he hasn’t looked back since then.
Band History
2015
2017
Helwa tal-Ghageb
2017
2017
Int u Jien dal-Milied
2017
Rockestra
2017
2018
Qum Dur u Izfen
2018
Rock the Fort
2018