And no cowbell in sight!

As it happens, my first concert of evey year involves either The Big Nose Attack or Down & Out. Both bands feature Boogie Man on guitars and vocals and ittle Tonnie on drums. And so it was this year, when the first band I saw live were The Big Nose Attack who were opening for Blue Oyster Cult at Gagarin in Athens. The sound was very good (something which does not always happen at that venue) and that was especially important for The Big Nose Attack who I'm used to seeing in small places.

As for Blue Oyster Cult, they mesmerized the audience, both the young and the old(er) who have spent decades listening to their records. Almost all the favourites were played. even some that were not expected, like "Astronomy"

And there was not a single cowbell in sight!

...and they also played an amazing version of "Gimme Shelter"

Continuing with the local bands, this time it's the turn of Mamma Kin. According to their Facebook page Mamma Kin were formed in 2002 and a year later they released their first demo, which was enough to book them gigs for gigs on all the music scenes of Athens, major festivals (culminating in Rockwave 2012) and more in mainland Greece and the Greek islands. Their music is a mix of 70's hard rock and punk rock 'n' roll, but they have items of their own that ‘‘don’t stick anywhere’’. Their first album entitled'' Crime Does Pay'', was released in 2008 with producer Ottomo (producer of Monika's "Avatar"), and got remarkable reviews. At the end of 2012 the band released their second album entitled'' Silver Bullets''. They have shared the stage with all major Greek rock bands as well as many foreign names such as Marky Ramone, Dead Moon, Nashville Pussy, Fuzztones, Peter Pan Speedrock, Mad Sin, Demented Are Go, etc.

I finally got to see them in December last year at the Zero club in Athens.
The gig was opened by 700 Machines.

Then, Mamma Kin came on playing "rock n roll as it was born, but even more wild, untamed and orgy". 

My favourite was "Rock'N'Roll Spirit" from their second album. 

They played songs from both albums and they also played an amazing version of "Gimme Shelter" before which their bass player informed us that "Keith Richards is 70 years old this week, but he rocks more than anyone of you!"

How I learned to stop worrying and love Still Corners

 

I had never heard of Still Corners before until last October when they played a gig in Athens. And it was my girlfriend who asked me to go with her to see them. So I did something I do not usually do: I checked out some of their songs on YouTube. (I'm used to discovering my music the old-fashioned way: Buying records and stuff I hear on the radio). That's when I realized that they fall into a category which I adore: "Heavenly Female Vocals" which first bring to mind Mazzy Star. The same thing that came to my mind at the Isobel Campbell with Mark Lanegan gig. And all this coupled with a synth sound (but not completely electronic, and as a result several fans of "real" music have also fallen under their spell). However it was electronic enough for me to remind me a bit of the things I love about Marsheaux.

The gig was in a small underground venue (I mean literally underground as it was in a basement) in the center of Athens. Greek band Spectralfire were on first

 

And then it was time for Still Corners fronted by the lovely Tessa...

 

 After the gig, Tessa was tending the merchandise stand herself. I nought thir records and Tessa was kind enough to sign one of them (the special coloured vinyl one) for me!

September means Nouvelle Vague

This was the title of an article in a newspaper. And that was because they usually visits Greece every other September. I have now seen them 4 times: In 2007, in 2009 in 2011 and in 2013. That's every two years. Mind you, only 2011 and 2013 were in September. 2007 was in December and 2009 it was in November. And only 2011 and 2013 were in an oprn air venue. I read an aeicle about them on a Sunday paper supplement and I was intrigued. You see, Nouvelle Vague (which means "new wave" in French) cover new wave songs from the 70's and 80's in bossa nova style (which means "new wave" in PORTuguese). Here are a few examples: "Heart Of Glass" by Blondie, "God Save The Queen" by The Sex Pistols, "Just Can't Get Enough" by Depeche Mode, "Don't Go" by Yazoo, "Friday Night Saturday Morning" by The Specials, "Guns Of Brixton" by The Clash, "Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division, "Blue Monday" by New Order, "Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This" by The Eurythmics among others. They released 2 albums in that style. On the 3rd they collaborated with the original artists whose songs they covered. And on the 4th they covered French pop songs from that same era. And they say they choose their singers among people who have never hears the original versions.

I liked what I saw that first night at Gagarin Music Space in 2007 so I went to see them again, 2 years later at the same venue.

With an extra singer this time and an even better performance.

Once again I saw them in Athens at Technopolis, an open air venue this time.

Apparently they have fans from all age groups.

On the 2009 and 2011 concerts they were supported by Greek electro artist Olga Kouklaki who is well-known in France.

One of the Nouvelle Vague singers actually sang on her set in 2011 and she returned the favour by getting up on stage το sing Blue Monday with them.

And so, they were back, on the same venue in September 2013, this time supported by Opera Chaotique.

 

 

And, even though she was not supporting them this time, Olga Kouklaki did come up on stage and sang one of her songs with them