The Big Nose Attack live in Athens January 2012

While saving up for the upcoming Bruce Springsteen tour in 2012 I only attended one gig by an international artist in the first half of that year and that was the one by Mark Lanegan. However, I had been to two gigs by Greek artists during the same period and the first one was by The Big Nose Attack. Having just come back from their European Big Noise tour they organized a free gig at Tribe Bar, to celebrate the release of their first CD, which was available to buy at the venue for only 5 Euros. They played their own songs from their new album, some of which were inspired by their personal experiences (mainly in Santorini) but they also played a few covers (even Frank Zappa ones)

 

    

Let's just note that apart from the guitar (which was good but old and needed frequent tuning) and the drums, we were fascinated by the electric ukalele and were astonished when we realized that the "utensil" that most of us have in our kitchen to whisk the cream among other uses, can also produce music! As we can see from the setlist, they had also prepared some... tequila for the encore, but when they finished their second to last song, music from the bar's sound system started playing. They didn't go out with a bang. They went out with a twang!

The Big Nose Attack homecoming gig

How about a free gig on a Saturday night? Sounds good, right? This is what happened last year at the end of September and this was a gig that I actually decided to go to at the last moment. The Big Nose Attack were playing in Athens, not just anywhere in Athens, but in Brahami, the district the district they grew up in, went to school in and the one which they call "home". The gig was taking place at the district´s main square as part of a summer festival organized by the municipality. So the band were playing to an audience that included their parents friends, neighbours and former classmates as Boogie Man (not the drummer, the other one) said.

However, this time, the setup was different. It had been a long time (by my standards), since I had last seen The Big Nose Attack live. My last BNA gig was at the 2017 Music Highway Festival. In fact, 2018 was the first year in a very long time (probably since they had formed) that I hadn't been to a Big Nose Attack gig. This time, there were four musicians on stage: Apart from Boogie Man on guitar and vocals and Little Tonnie on drums there was also a conga player and a bass player (Bass! Bass! on The Big Nose Attack! Sacrilege?). 

Their fourth LP "Deader Than Disco" had come out the previous spring, which presented a bit of a change from their usual sound. Not really disco, but it definitely has a 70's feel with just 8 tracks, each more than 5 minutes long. It was the first time that I heard those songs, but they mixed them up with older favourites from their three previous albums. Meanwhile, I had the chance to walk a few meters to the nearby kiosk on the edge of the square, buy a can of beer, then go back to enjoy my alcohol listening to the music of the band.

At the end of the gig. seeing as the local metro station is also located at the square, I grabbed the last train home, to end a Saturday night filled with wonderful music having spent only the equivalent of a (large) can of beer. 

Nowadays, with no gigs, I drink my beers at home...

Mr. Highway Band and The Big Nose Attack together at the 6th Music Highway Festival

I first went to the Music Highway Festival two years ago to see Dustbowl play their own stuff (instead of The Johnny Cash Tribute) and Penny Dreadful who had played after The Western Ramblers back in 2013. That's when I was introduced to the music of the headliners Mr. Highway Band and got hooked ever since. I went again this year because I always wanted to see them at the same festival with The Big Nose Attack. (I had seen both bands on the same night before at The Big Nose Attack gig at Gagarin last year).
The opening band was Drunken Gramophone which was a new discovery for me. Two years ago I had been introduced to 4LT. whose members (well, at least a couple of them) I spotted in the audience this year.

Then it was the turn of The Big Nose Attack launching directly into Yeah! (That Girl) and playing songs from all three of their albums including the obligatory "Foxy Lady" and "Wild Cherry"

Finally, Mr. Highway Band came on. On the first part of their set they presented their new, third album "The Rebel Artist" for the first time in Athens (I distinctly remember "At The End Day" from the 2015 festival). This presentation featured many special guests the most impressive of which had to be singer Georgia Poutous. 

Then it was on to the second part featuring songs from their previous albums including "Story Of My Life" and "Revolution". The highlight of the night had to be the moment when the singer picked up a girl to dance with him on stage so that her boyfriend could come up and propose to her!

It was over by 1:30 am but I had time to stock up on CD's and badges from the merchandise stand...

''The more you drink, the better we sound'' (The Big Nose Attack @ Gazarte Roof Stage)

This is what Boogie Man told the audience on Thursday, the 9th of March at Gazarte Roof Stage. And we didn't need to drink to appreciate The Big Nose Attack. I know I've already seen them many times but it sounded like a good idea to see them once again at this particular venue which gives you a magnificent view of Athens.

Another reason for going to this gig was that I wanted to get my hands on one of those pizza shaped USB sticks the band have released that features their complete discography for only 10 euros (a snip!).

As you can see they're awesome, and I must admit I do get confused sometimes...

Anyway, I went there straight after work so I missed the first 10 minutes. Because of this, as I was approaching Gazarte I could hear the sound of The Big Nose Attack coming from inside!

Once inside, however, it was once again magnificent. They played songs from all their 3 albums and the obligatory "Foxy Lady"

I had to leave during the very last song because of a strike on the metro, so I had to walk to catch another line that was operating normally.

All in all, I had a great time, and for once more my first gig of the year was by The Big Nose Attack.

The Big Nose Attack 5 year anniversary party with special guests on stage

After their appearance at Gagarin in January as a headline act, I thought I wouldn't need to see The Big Nose Attack again this year. I mean, what could possibly top that? The answer is of course "coming home". Where home is An Club for their 5 year anniversary party. This was obviously not going to be a usual BNA gig. The first set could be described as a typical Big Nose Attack short(ish) set.

We could have been happy with just that. But no, when it was finished they blew the candles on their birthday cake (which wasn't a cake, but a pizza) and then played a second set with a different guest each time for at least two more hours.

There was everything in this mix: a drum machine, a synthesizer, a theremin, a bouzouki and even - shock horror!!! - a BASS! Yes, a bass!

Plus, an amazing cover of the Stones' "Honky Tonk Women"!

The whole gig lasted for more than 3 hours. Only Bruce Springsteen could do such a thing...

I got back home early the next morning very hungry,

so I took of my Big Nose Attack t-shirt and had some... pizza! What else?

SETLIST 1 (The Big Nose Attack)
01. A Bite To Eat02. All By Myself
03. Under Your Spell
04. Monday Morning Spaghetti
05. Fifty Shades Of Shame
06. Dirty Emma
07. Not The One
08. I Gotta Luv U
09. Adam And Eve
10. Left Alone
11. Drunk And Gibberish
12. Drunk Whore Blues

SETLIST 2 (The Big Nose Attack featuring special guests)
01. Let Me Tell Ya featuring Yiannis Biliris (Μεθυσμένα Ξωτικά)
02. The Black Hat Man featuring Konstantinos Kirtsis (The Wrinkled Suits) and Rsn
03. All The Time featuring Petros Kasimatis (ΠΡΟΦΙΛ)
04. Yeah! (That Girl) featuring Babis Papanikolaou (Planet Of Zeus) and Idra Kayne
05. Hey Joe featuring Thymios Spiliotopoulos (Mr. Highway Band)
06. Let Τhe Love Shine featuring Alexis Kalofolias (The Last Drive)
07. Don't Look Back featuring Panos Tsekouras (Mani Deum)
08. Holdin' On featuring Panos Tsekouras and Babis Mavridis (Black Hat Bones)
09. N.I.B. featuring Konstantinos Dreankcrocs (Mock Τhe Mankind) and Vassilis Magganas (SuperPuma)
10. Wild Cherry featuring Dani G. (1000mods)
11. Honky Tonk Women featuring Mickey Pantelous
12. Down With Me featuring Mickey Pantelous
13. Kick Out The Jams featuring Aggelos Panokas (Black Hat Bones)
14. Blues Jam featuring Stam (The Bad Slide Stam)