Various: Enjoy The Greeks ! 2004

 

Not much is known internationally when it comes to Greek rock music. Aphrodites Child had a UK/European hit in '68 with ballad "Rain And Tears" and released cult prog album "666" (Uncut's 15th weirdest album of all time). But there's also a burgeoning indie scene that's worth your attention as well as one of the best Garage/Psych scenes in the world.

Most of these bands didn't get the chance to record in a proper studio and put an album out, but in the next decade there were many releases from small Greek indie labels. Thessaloniki's On Stage Records was one of them, and with this compilation they make a great job of presenting some of the scene's top bands circa 2004.
                                                            

THE BULLETS
The Bullets were formed in the eastern side of Thessaloniki in 1988. It was a time when rockabilly was very popular all over Europe. Although the rockabilly revival movement, which started in the 70s, lasted until the late 90s, the Bullets have managed to be active up until today. During all these years the band has performed live countless times, creating wild and memorable moments for their fans. The Bullets' music style is without any doubt… rock'n'roll. Obviously their major influences are the trash/desperate rockabilly of the 50s and the primitive surf sounds of the 60s. Other influences include doo-wop, garage and british teddy boy rock. Their philosophy is based on having fun, love for life and on being optimistic. Certainly these are the reasons why they will keep on being together for a very long time!

THE FRANTIC V
The Frantic Five were formed in 1994. They immediately became active and started performing. Imagine in the Kurt Kobain and techno era 5 guys in white shirts and black ties performing real unadulterated 60's garage and eurobeat!!! In 1995, Jens Lindberg came to visit and they recorded 2 tracks lost in oblivion and 10 tracks as a rehearsal. A superb gig followed supporting the Fuzztones and Mark Lindsay during the Greek Psychorama Festival. An invitation to Italy's Festival Beat rushed the boys over the Adriatic Sea establishing their sound abroad. In 2003, the boys gathered in the studio to record their first 12" of sonic pleasure! "A long play with the Frantic V" was what came out (ON STAGE RECORDS). Next year, they invaded Germany in late October for Germans to enjoy some frantic tracks in full volume, screams farfisa and fuzz. For the time being, the boys are recording their second long player. As for future plans, who knows ? The frantic gang might invade your town any moment now, so beware!

THE DUCKY BOYZ
The Ducky Boyz is a psychobilly , surf-punk band originated in Athens - Greece , which first played in 2002. After (too)many lives-parties and two demos , they released their first album "No Regrets" in 2005 with the precious help of the fully indipedent Greek label Blind Bastard Records . After the world had know them better and with some changes in the members (they changes their drummer) , they brought out earlier this year (2008) a 7" single with the name "Near Death Experience" again in Blind Bastard . This single was produced in Greece and in Germany by "Mad Dog Recordings" from Paul Fenech personally (yes , the all powerfull Meteors leader...).

THE TEARDROPS
Θανάσης Ξανθάκος
(Thanasis Xanthakos) Musician/composer from Greece.
Owner of "Plan 59" record store, based in Exarchia, Athens.

THE OVERTONES
It is rumoured that this mysterious surf outfit was formed in Mars! Possibly the cover artwork and the song titles led many to such a conclusion! As the back cover reveals, it is about "an official Frantic V conspiracy!" In fact, THE OVERTONES are 3 of the 5 members of the mighty garage group, The Frantic V, in disguise! Besides their devotion to garage beat, they deliver a couple of cool surfin' tunes. Their first long awaited release is a killer 7" single of spine-tingling instrumentals!

ALEXANDROS PERROS AND THE LONE STARS
Lone stars were created in 1987 with the original composition of Alexandros Perros, Costas Hasiotis and Giotis Bengalas on drums. Their name comes from the descriptive name of the state of Texas. The musical idiom they represent is garage rock n roll. In this compilation he offers us two 50's style surf/rockabilly sides.
Original line-up:
Αλέξανδρος Πέρρος / Alexandros Perros (Voice, Guitar)
Κώστας Χασιώτης / Kostas Hasiotis (Bass)
Γιώτης Μπάγκαλας / Yiotis Bagalas (Drums)

STRANGE BREW
The female-fronted Strange Brew offer us a garage 60's style.

THE HYDES
The Hydes create a pure Garage/Punk N'Roll band circa '92.In 1995 they release "Big City" for the "NOT SO PRETTY" compilation (a tribute to the PRETTY THINGS) on Corduroy Records (AUS) featuring CHESTERFIELD  KINGS, THANES, BREADMAKERS, HEADCOATEES.In 1997 they release the first 7" EP "HARD LOVIN" on SWALLOW IT ALL RECORDS (GR). The next year a 7" SINGLE (OUT TONITE) on CORDUROY again. They participate in a few compilations with covers of the ONLY ONES (Flaming Torch), MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS (Heatwave),Q65 (Sour Wine), MASTER'S APPRENTICES (Wars Or Hands Of Time). Last Corduroy release comes with the tribute to the Rolling Stones "STANDING IN THE SHADOWS" in 2001.The Hydes play "Standing In The Shadow".
On Stage Cd Collection "Enjoy The Greeks!" [2004] includes "Hitwave" by The Hydes.

MARRY ME MARY
Marry Me Mary 60's-style garage pop.

THE TEDDY BOYS FROM THE CRYPT
Garage Rock band formed in December 1996 in Athens, Greece. In February 2005 they supported 'The Sound Explosion' at their reunion gig in Athens. They also performed along with 'The Psykicks', 'The Frantic V', 'The 700 Machines' & 'The Ducky Boyz'. In February 2005 they supported 'The Sound Explosion' at their reunion gig in Athens. They also performed along with 'The Psykicks', 'The Frantic V', 'The 700 Machines' & 'The Ducky Boyz'.
El Baron (vocals, bass), T.O.L.I.S. (guitar), Chris Organ Grinder (Farfisa organ, backing vocals), T-Ace Machine (drums, tambourine, backing vocals).

THE PSYKICKS
Their influences are mainly 70’s punk & 60’s garage, punk and surf (plus their 80’s –90’s revival). They have done many gigs in Athens and Thessaloniki along with other bands, such as 'The Frantic V', 'The Ducky Boyz', 'The Bullets', 'The 700 Machines', 'Yesterday's Thoughts', 'The Meanie Geanies', 'The Teardrops', 'The Teddy Boys From The Crypt', 'Screaming Fly' & 'Duck’n’Psycho'.
In October 2002 they supported 'The Flaming Stars' at their concert at Gagarin 205 (Athens). In spring 2003 they suported, together with 'The Ducky Boyz',the 'The Cynics' concert at Gagarin 205 (Athens). In September 2003 they performed live at the International Comics Festival of "Vavel" magazine.

THE CRAZED
Psychobilly band from Salonika, Greece.

5 STAR HOTEL
Greek brit-pop band (originally as 5*Hotel) based in Thessaloniki, Greece.
The band first met in the University of Birmingham in 2001. After they have witnessed numerous gigs, they decided to form a group and just after a while they started composing originals and recording demos in various studios. From their very first live appearances, although totally unknown to the most, they stirred the public with their fresh and exciting British pop sound. From then on, they managed to draw the attention of a noteworthy following that gradually was getting increased. They were opening acts for artists such as Six By Seven, Saint Etienne and Ladytron.
The band returned to Greece where they kept playing and rehearsing their own originals in a pop vein with guitars and synths. Their sound was characterized by the velvet and dreamy vocals, which are perfectly bond with the rest of the instrumentation. The band delivered a personal oriented sound with a few hints close to Pulp kind of brit-pop and the best period of The Smiths.
The lineup included:
George Begas - vocals
Στέλιος Θεολόγης (Stelios Theologis) - bass
Antony Vellios - keyboards
Γιάννης Σαββίδης (Giannis Savvidis) - guitar
Giannis Varelidis - drums

UNKNOWN PASSAGE
Garage Rock/Psychedelic Rock/Surf band from Amindeo, Florina, Greece.
They performed live numerous times all over northern Greece.
In 2008, Kostas Hatzis and Manolis Hatzitrifonos formed the side-project "Dead Tymes" (they self-produced and self-recorded one album). In this collection they offer a moody psych ballad.

T4TROUBLE
Members:
Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals – George Kostopoulos
Drums, Backing Vocals – Chris Koutsouris
Electric Guitar, Lead Vocals – Theodore Papadinas.
                                                   

Various – Enjoy The Greeks!
Label: On Stage Records – OSR004
Format:    CD, Compilation
Country: Greece
Released: 2004
Genre: Rock
Style: Garage Rock, Psychobilly, Rock & Roll

TRAXS

                                                 

01. The Bullets: Out Of Gaz 2:14
02. The Frantic V: I'm Asking Why 1:57
03. The Ducky Boyz: Waitin' For Yesterday 1:48
04. The Teardrops: Coming Home 2:36
05. Alexandros Perros & the Lone Stars: Cruisin' Mean 2:32
06. Strange Brew: What I'm Gonna Do 2:42
07. Teddy Boys From The Crypt: Minidress 3:36
08. The Hydes: Hitwave 2:09
09. The Psykicks: I Shot My Baby 3:18
10. 5*Hotel: I Want You 2:14
11. The Bullets: Thank You Johnny Carroll 2:22
12. The Overtones: Mr. Myster 2:30
13. Unknown Passage: My Foolish Friends 3:15
14. Strange Brew: I'm Leaving You 3:32
15. The Ducky Boyz: Not My Day 2:17
16. The Crazed: Kiss Eternal Life 3:08
17. The Teardrops: Travel High 2:20
18. Alexandros Perros & the Lone Stars: No Time To Waste 2:38
19. The Psykicks: Lunatic 4:45
20. Marry Me Mary: Spy's Girl 2:42
21. Teddy Boys From The Crypt: The Fuzzman 3:18
22. T4Trouble: I'm Not Strong 2:18

MP3 @ 320 Size: 139 MB
Flac  Size: 415 MB

 

                                         (Νίκο - Ξέρεις εσύ ποιός - Μπορεις να το κατεβάσεις . Εγώ δεν απαιτώ ποσοστά. Κατάλαβες ; Πρόσεχε τι πας και λες.)   

V.A - Enjoy The Greeks II on URBAN ASPIRINES HERE
The Bullets on Urban Aspirines HERE
The Frantic V on Urban Aspirines HERE
The Hydes on Urban Aspirines HERE
The Overtones on Urban Aspirines HERE
The DUCKY BOYZ on Urban Aspirines HERE