Give me Innocence, I'm Sick Vol. 5 - Tales From The Greek Rock Underground (ANGLOPHONE GREEK ROCK BANDS From 60s To Now)

ANGLOPHONE GREEK ROCK BANDS.

This is not an official compilation made by independed Greek Labels. Here is the taste of URBAN ASPIRINES best Greek groups. All of these bands are faraway from the mainstream Music system.
You can find the bands with the red star (*) on the blog.

Greek rock (Greek: Ελληνικό Pοκ), originated in the early 1960s with the creation of several

APHRODITE'S CHILD

anglophone pop-rock bands such as The Forminx (which included composer Vangelis), The Charms, The Idols, The Olympians, Juniors, M.G.C. and many more. 1968 in Paris saw the formation of Aphrodite's Child *, (Vangelis, Demis Roussos and Loukas Sideras) one of the most important and successful Greek rock bands: with their album It's Five O'Clock (1969) and 666 (1972) they achieved worldwide fame.

Rock music in Greece first peaked in the early seventies, while Greece was still ruled by a military

SOCRATES

dictatorship. Bands included Socrates Drank The Conium *(anglophone progressive rock), Nostradamos *, Exadahtylos (political/satirical lyrics), Pelóma Bokioú (Santana-like Latin rock with Greek lyrics), Poll *(folk with vocal harmonies, Greek lyrics), Axis *(Another Paris based Greek Band), Apokalypsis *, Pete And Royce *and many more. The last 3 bands were Prog-Rock oriented and is very difficult to find their albums.

The fall of the dictatorship was followed by the cultural dominance of progressive thinking although

PETE AND ROYCE

the government was right-wing. For the right wing conservatives as well as for the communist left (KKE), rock was an "imported" form of music and they instead promoted music based on local traditions like Theodorakis' compositions or plain old Folk Greek music.

In the beginning of the '80s there was a small but energetic number of Punk and New Wave bands as

CHAOS GENERATION

the Reporters *, Magic De Spell, Deus Ex Machina *, Chaos Generation (Γενιά του Χάους), The Lambs (Αρνάκια), Reaction  (Αντίδραση) * , Deadlock (Αδιέξοδο), Quite Out Of Control  (Εκτός Ελέγχου *), and many more.

Deus Ex Machina *is a popular Greek hardcore punk band from Athens formed in 1989 by Dimitris

DEUS EX MACHINA

Spyropoulos and Dimitris Manthos, with Spyropoulos and Yiannis Venardis (the group's drummer) having already been early Greek punk scene's 'veterans' (they were members of Adiexodo).

The Greek punk scene was small but powerful in the Greek capital, Athens, in the 1980s. Bands such as

NONMANDOL

Stress, Panx Romana, Ex-humans, Anti (Kontra) functioned as a bunch of related bands, who gave concerts together, in the same locations. Like elsewhere, punk attitude has been loosely used by various individuals, but most of the times the key element was the youthful anger and the provocative anti-establishment attitude.

In this decade emerged Many impressive and amazing bands Dark Wave oriented, as Yell-O-Yell *,

VILLA  21

South Of No North *, The Hands Of Cain * and Villa 21 *. Αt the end of 1981 Kostas Pothoulakis (former member of Parthenogenesis) and Anta Labara at keybords formed Villa 21. The punk and the new wave experience of Pothoulakis in "Parthenogenesis" and "The Reporters" * along with the music influences of the rest of band's members created the final sound of Villa 21. Later on they changed their sound to a wild amazing Garage Punk.

Yell-O-Yell * was a Post-Punk/Darkwave band formed in 1982 in Athens, Greece. They were the first

YELL-O-YELL

group that signed at the legendary Creep Records. They made a lot of appearances along with 'Headleaders' and 'Villa 21'. On 12/2/1983 and 20/11/1983 they performed live at 'Σοφίτα' club (Athens), along with 'Villa 21'. On 4/2/1984 they performed live at Cine Louiza (Vyronas, Athens), along with 'Cpt Neφos', 'Χωρίς Περιδέραιο', 'Teenage Dolls', 'Rehearsed Dreams', 'R.R. Hearse' & 'On Purpose'.

The Anti Troppau Council * appeared in the 1980s and more specifically in 1983 in the domestic

THE ANTI TROPPAU COUNCIL

underground music scene. With English-language lyrics and obvious garage influences, they took us on a journey to the beginnings of this garage mood in Greece.

Ziggy Was *, a Rock band formed in 1992 in Thessaloniki, Greece. They took their name from two

ZIGGY WAS

songs of the 70s: David Bowie’s 'Ziggy Stardust' and Bob Marley’s 'Johnny Was'. Their music style was a mixture of hardcore, punk, grunge, and metal with funk touches. Kostas Pantelis who was the guitarist of 'Πίσσα Και Πούπουλα' (Pissa & Poupoula) *, joined the group as the lead guitarist later.

The Mushrooms * were an indie 'n' roll band from Thessaloníki, that lived and created in the mid-80's.

THE MUSHROOMS

During this time of their short life, the Mushrooms delivered two gems of albums that are included in the top moments of Greek rock 'n' roll ever.   

With the second generation, the scene produced also some of the finest electric guitar players such as

THE DIRTY GRANNY TALES

Christophoros Krokidis and Spyros Pazios who to date are still active in various projects. During the mid-1980s, a band called The Last Drive appeared, whose outstanding performance both in Greece and internationally deeply influenced the scene.

The Last Drive * is a Greek garage rock group which formed in 1983, broke up in 1995, and reunited

THE LAST DRIVE

in January 2007. The Last Drive started playing under the name "Last Drive" in late 1983 and their first performance was at the "Rodeo club" on December 27, 1983.

Many newer crust and hardcore punk bands such as Ksehasmeni Profitia (Gr:ξεχασμένη προφητεία)

SOUTH OF NO NORTH

(Forgotten prophecy), Naftia (Nausea), Deus Ex Machina * and others  followed DIY (Do It Yourself) ethics, gradually forming a small but powerful network in most big Greek cities. This network has sometimes been linked with local anarchist-related groups, squats, cultural/social/left-wing centers. Most of the concerts of punk bands in Greece have no, or minimal, entrance fee and many of them are arranged according to DIY ethics.  

Purple Overdose * are considered among their fans as the one and only local group that revives and

PURPLE OVERDOSE

improves the fine psychedelic music of the great 60s artists.The group was formed in Athens, Greece in 1988.

Other subgenres of rock emerged during this period: heavy metal, punk rock and indie rock gained

ROTTING CHRIST

popularity. Greek metal bands such as Spitfire (Traditional Heavy metal) and black metal sound pioneers Rotting Christ and Varathron, emerged in the 1980s.

A relatively so noteworthy scene is that of garage, punk, surf, rockabilly, etc. in Greece.. there are many

THE SOUND EXPLOSION

new bands in the last decade especially (starting definitely in the early 80s, the whole phase, with Honeydive *, The Cosmic Teds *, The Blue Jeans *, The Outsiders, The Invisible Surfers * etc.) who really don't have anything to envy from those from abroad.. Bands: The Frantic V *, The Sound Explosion *, The Dirty Fuse *, Goodbye bedwine *, The Hydes * and many more.

The Yesterday's Thoughts* were formed in September of 1997 . They started playing covers of their

THE YESTERDAY'S THOUGHTS

favorite 60s garage/punk standards , but soon they began composing their own songs . 4 such original tracks are featured in the band's debut 7inch EP , released by Action Records .


In the 90s Hip Hop entered also in the mainstream of Rock in Greece.

Firewind took the leading position in modern Heavy metal, releasing four albums in the decade and

THE DIRTY FUSE

achieving international popularity. The guitarist of the band, Gus G performed along with Ozzy Osbourne replacing his former guitarist, while the keyboardist Bob Katsionis released personal albums. Septic Flesh reunited and recorded Communion, which received highly positive reviews and recognition as did the album "Cheap Pop for the Elite" from the Corfu-based Rock/Pop Band Kore. Ydro. who became favorites in the underground Rock/Pop scene. During the 2000s a small scene of metal bands playing metalcore/hardcore punk/screamo/deathcore emerged.

In the 2010s there was a big explosion in the Greek underground scene with the heavy rock music.

THE FRANTIC V

Dozens of bands started playing heavy, stoner, southern, grunge rock etc., with leading pioneers Planet of Zeus and 1000mods continuing the legacy of Nightstalker and touring relentlessly around Europe.

NightStalker’s history starts from the early 90’s, when they contributed to the revival of 70’s style

NIGHTSTALKER

rock, together with bands like Kyuss, Sleep and Monster Magnet and they have earned a reputation due to their pure Rock ‘n Roll attitude.  

In 2010 the Greek girl-fronted New Wave-Punk band Barb Wire Dolls became the first band from

7-ODDS

Greece to re-locate to Los Angeles after receiving continuous airplay on Los Angeles's "World Famous" KROQ radio station by Rodney Bingenheimer on his "Rodney on the Roq" show for their song "California" from their self-released EP "Punk The Fussies!".

Many New-Prog bands emerged in Greece the last years, as Ciccada *, Methexis *, Verbal Delirium

MOTHER TURTLE

*, Jargon *, Crysillia *, La Tulipe Noire *, Will-O-The Wisp *, Mother Turtle * and The extraordinary Villagers Of Ioannina City * with a stoner influeced sound and traditional roots.

One such band is Verbal Delirium *, one of the best European New Progressive acts, who play without

VERBAL DELIRIUM

imitating the influences of the past, but honoring their predecessors, they lead the music even further forward on new paths.

Founded in Athens, Greece in 2011, Greek project Methexis (ΜΕΘΕΞΙΣ in Greek) *is the creative

METHEXIS

vehicle of Nikitas Kissonas (ex-Verbal Delirium, ex-Yianneis). Methexis means the communication between the sensible world and the world of ideas, the mental encounter.

Chrysilia * is a symphonic prog - folk - metal band formed in Athens, Greece in 2016. The band was

CHRYSILIA

founded by musical actress and rock performer Chryso and composer/keyboardist Elias Pero (Sovereign), but eventually Chrysilia evolved to a band with a full debut album.

The music of Ciccada * is heavily rooted in folk music; it's complex, compelling, borrowing influneces

CICCADA

from many other spheres of progressive rock or more. This band is highly recommended. This band is hailing from Greece,known for delivering a sophisticated blend of folk, psychedelia and art rock.

Even for the most sophisticated Greek rock players, the name Takis Barbagalas may not initially remind

WILL-O-THE WISP

them of anything. From the legendary White Symphony (ΛΕΥΚΗ ΣΥΜΦΩΝΙΑ) to the high art of Will-O-The Wisp *, the path he has covered is amazing and his first solo record fills yet another void. Will-O-The Wisp were formed in 1997 as a sextet (guitar, bass, drums, flute, keyboards and vocals) and play Progressive Rock featuring a signifcant psychedelic orientation.

Pioneers of the new generation of Greek progressive rock, Athens' La Tulipe Noire * present a tightly

LA TULIPE NOIRE

woven tapestry of sonic pastels which never really escape beyond the bounds of their self-imposed prison. This talented line-up performs a refined and quiet progressive rock that develops baroque and solemn melodies. The group formed in Athens Greece in 1997.

The 2000s saw  mainstream rock artists of the past decades remained popular. An anglophone revival

RAINING PLEASURE

during this decade took place, with bands like Raining Pleasure * achieving worldwide fame.

Villagers Of Ioannina City * are deeply influenced by Greek nature and cosmic phenomena and infuse

VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY

their unique brand of heavy psychedelic rock with folk instruments such as bagpipes, flutes and didgeridoos.

Acid Baby jesus * a Garage Rock/ Psychedelic Rock band formed in March 2009 in Athens, Greece by

ACID BABY JESUS

young friends Noda Pappas, Otto Mentis (departed 2014), Markos Mazarakis and Tili Stronis.

Planet of Zeus are a heavy rock band from Athens, Greece. They have been around since 2000, playing

PLANET OF ZEUS

extensively throughout their home country, just about anywhere they could, ranging from house parties to stadiums. Their raw, sincere and constantly evolving live performances have secured them a loyal and hardcore underground following, which exceeds Greece's geographical borders.

Gravity says_i * was created in March 2003 by Manos Paterakis and Nikos Retsos in Piraeus. Their

GRAVITY SAYS_i

sound is a mix of epic progressive rock, Pink Floyd-style space rock, post rock, ambient electronics, experimental effects and world music influences.

Naxatras * is a Greek rock band formed in 2012 in Thessaloniki, by Giannis Vagenas and Giannis

NAXATRAS

Kostandelias, fellow students in the Film Department of the School of Fine Arts of the Aristotle University. Their music moves in the field of psychedelic rock. "" Naxatras "is a variation of the Nakshatra of Indian astrology that refers to the 27 or 28 phases of the Moon," explains Giannis Vagenas.

The Dead Sidewalkers * came out of the - practically non-existent - sidewalks of Athens in September

DEAD SIDEWALKERS

2016. They consist of musicians that have been on the Greek underground music scene for many years. They follow the steps and sounds of artists from U.S. and Australian punk and garage scenes; however, they avoid a particular label.

It is impossible to mention all these Aglophone Greek bands because I would need a lot of space. Some

THE  BASEMENTS

of them were: Ache In Silence *, Avaton *, Bella Union *, Closer *, Common Sense *, Diesel *, Ding An Sich *, Echo Tatto *, Illusion Fades *, Iasis *, Interstellar Overdrive *, Make Believe *, Metro Decay *, Next Time Passions *, Terminal Curve *, The Basements *, The Flowers Of Romance *, Goodbye bedouin * and many many more. Mayby I will make another collection with the Greek Rock scene, but for now, I am giving you a rich taste in this Post, with 73 GREEK BANDS. We will meet again in the future with another collection made by Urban Aspirines.

Thank you, KOSTAS.

You can find all the bands with the red star (*) on this blog and you can download them.

PART 1.

                    

01. APHRODITE'S CHILD - It'S 5 O'Clock 1969 *
02. VICKINGS - Francoise 1966
03. STAVROS LOGARIDIS - Close The Door 1978 *
04. SOCRATES - Starvation 1971 *
05. AXIS - Dedicated 1971 *
06. TANGO WITH LIONS - Slippery Roads 2013 *
07. THE SOUND EXPLOSION - My Baby Went Away With The Midnight Train 1994 *
08. VILLA 21 - The Land Where The Sun Never Shines 1987 *
09. THE PERSONS - Drive My Mustang 1966
10. DEAD TYMES - BLUES THEME ?
11. GOODBYE BEDOUIN - Prove Me Wrong 2019 *
12. THE EATHBOUND - Child Of The Sea 2008
13. CHRYSILIA - Arcadia 2017 *
14. AILAFAR - Stop Running Away 2017
15. PLANET OF ZEUS - Them Nights 2016
16. DEUS EX MACHINA - Motorpsycho 1991 *
17. CELLAR STONE - War We Can Win 2021
18. VILLAGERS OF IOANNINA CITY - Age Of Aquarius 2019 *
19. PETE AND ROYCE - Dream 1981 *
20. LA TULIPE NOIRE - Oenops Pontos 2006 *
21. NAXATRAS - Sun Is Burning 2015 *
22. THEE HOLY STRANGERS - Fire In The Woods 2022
23. APOCALYPSIS - No Communication 1981 *
24. ELECTRIC LITANY - Cfu 2019 *

Flac Size: 680 MB

PART 2.

                 

01. BOKOMOLECH - Sin River 1995 *
02. BIG SLEEP - Looking For A Girl With A Washing Machine 1996
03. NEW ZERO GOD - Damaged 2013
04. VAGINA LIPS - Sad B4 It Was Cool 2022 *
05. THE CALLAS WITH LEE RANALDO  - Trouble And Desire 2018
06. YESTERDAY THOUGHTS - Searchin In Shadows 2002 *
07. THE FRANTIC V - Hand Up 2004 *
08. UNKNOWN PASSAGE - Little Bitch 2001
09. THE LAST DRIVE - Every Night 1986 *
10. ACID BABY JESUS - Mesmerized 2011 *
11. THE CHARMS - I'M Coming Back 1966
12. THE BULLETS - Baby Baby, Bala Bala 2014 *
13. THE BLUES CARGO - Straight Tequila 2009 *
14. THE SCREAMING FLY - Trip To Venus 2019 *
15. ZIGGY WAS - She 1997 *
16. DEAD SIDEWALKERS - What's Wrong 2022 *
17. THE MUSHROOMS - Eyes Wide Open 2019 *
18. NONMANDOL - All For You 2016 *
19. VICE LESLEY AND THE VELVOIDS - What's The Matter
20. MAGIC DE SPELL - Sweatin' All Over 1984
21. GRAVITY SAYS-i - Wicked Sky 2007 *
22. MONIKA - Yes I Do 2010 *
23. THIS FLUID - Spirit 1997
24. WILL-O-THE WISP - Internal Journey 2000 *

Flac Size: 626 MB

PART 3.

                                    

01. CICCADA - Eniania (Keepers Of The midnight Harvest) 2021 *
02. METHEXIS - Chapter 1-The Origin Of Blame 2015 *
03. DIRTY GRANNY TALES - Hands 2008
04. MOTHER TURTLE - The Turtle Conjuration 2013 *
05. JESUS TOY - Search 1994
06. VERBAL DELIRIUM - So Close And Yet So Far Away 2010 *
07. NIGHTSTALKER - Just A Burn 2004
08. JARGON - In Search Of The Invisible Thin Line 2020 *
09. THE HANDS OF CAIN - Yje Only Sound 1983 *
10. SOUTH OF NO NORTH - Silver Rain 1989 *
11. BREATH AFTER COMA - So It Goes 2017
12. MATTISSE - Lucky Day 2012
13. THE DIRTY FUSE - Sunset Beach 2012 *
14. THE DIRTY SAINTS - I Was A Boy 1990
15. ALEXANDROS PERROS - Far Too Long 2006 *
16. BARBIE'S DEAD - Room No 9 1995
17, THE GIRLS - Rocket For Girls 1966
18. THE KNACKS - The Theme Of The Day 1967
19. 7-ODDS - 21 Minutes 2018 *
20. THE HYDES - Hard Lovin' 1997 *
21. THE TEARDROPS - I Cry
22. THE LOUBOGG - She Is Lost 1966
23. THE MEANIE GEANIES - I'm On My Way 1998
24. THE ANTI TROPPAU COUNCIL - I Believe You 1986 *
25. THE BASEMENTS - I'm A Man *

Flac Size: 645 MB

Give me Innocence. I' M Sick  Vol. 1 HERE
Give me Innocence, I' M Sick  Vol. 2 HERE
Give me Innocence, I' M Sick  Vol. 3 HERE
Give me Innocence, I' M Sick  Vol. 4 HERE