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LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL: ROCK PISSOURI FESTIVAL!
Last year was a very good year for summer live rock events in Cyprus: We had Alice Cooper, Paradise Lost, plus many great bands and artists visiting us from Greece! The only thing that we truly missed was a good "old-fashioned" rock festival! True, there have been excellent rock and metal festivals in Cyprus over the last few years! They all missed though one or more of the essential elements which create the original "rock festival" vibe: A venue somewhere closer to "Mother Nature" than a crowded city centre, a festival line-up consisting of Cypriot and international acts, a bunch of related festival activities, plus a headliner act ready to "bring the house down" at the end of the night! This summer we are fortunate to have several rock and metal festivals organized on this island! And if you are actually looking for this "old fashioned" rock festival vibe, with all the elements described earlier .... well, look no further than the 'Rock Pissouri' festival, which will be held on Saturday the 17th of July at the Pissouri Amphitheatre! Let's look at the "essentials" one-by-one: Venue The Pissouri Amphitheatre
Emmm ... need I say more? Just look at this view and imagine it on a Saturday night! Festival Line-Up - Headliners Four up-and-coming rock bands based in Cyprus (13 Beats Off, Wanderlust, No Off Switch, The Low Spark) plus one of the biggest AC/DC tribute bands in the world (Ride On) as headliners! Festival Activities The organisers are promising us (in their own words): "tattooing, t-shirts, cd's, motorbikes, aardvarks and amphibious landing craft for sale"! One of the the "driving forces" behind the 'Rock Pissouri' festival is Rick Kendall. Those of you who are "dedicated" readers of CRT will no doubt remember Rick! A self-proclaimed " Builder, Plasterer and Rock Star", Rick is not only a great guy, but also one of the very few people on this island who is seriously promoting the entire rock scene. He is maintaining one of the best known guitar forums and on-line jamming facilities on the web, while also playing guitar for the 'No Off Switch' band, and co-organizing events like this festival! The rest of this issue belongs to the bands that will be appearing live during the festival. We give them the chance to say a few words about themselves, as well as their past, present and future activities. Plus, we have asked them to provide a special message for all of you that will be seeing them live on Saturday! At the end of the article you can find detailed information about the festival (times, tickets etc.), plus some additional useful links. Let's rock 'n' roll!
13 Beats Off originally began in September 2008, but the band went through various line up changes for an entire year before the current incarnation of the band was formed and has remained so ever since. Each member draws on a whole range of different musical styles that gives the band a wide range of influences which has all contributed to the band's sound today.
In April 2010, the band were chosen to play at the first Schoolwave Cyprus festival in Nicosia in June 2010 along with 11 other student bands from across the country, and were then also chosen from those bands to represent Cyprus at the annual Schoolwave festival in Athens, Greece in July 2010.
Cyprus Rock Times: What are your main musical influences; 13 Beats Off: Nine Inch Nails, Aphex Twin, The Cure, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Radiohead, Bauhaus, The XX, The Prodigy. Cyprus Rock Times: What are you up to nowadays? 13 Beats Off: We are playing at festivals in Cyprus and Greece throughout the summer and may do a bit of recording if we find a bit of time in between! Cyprus Rock Times: What are you future plans? 13 Beats Off: Just to play live as much as possible, we don't really look too far into the future! Cyprus Rock Times: What is the craziest “rock ‘n’ roll” experience you ever had as a band? 13 Beats Off: Pushing our gear across town because we don't have driving licenses yet. Very “rock ‘n’ roll” indeed! A message for the fans that will be attending the festival: "SQUISH"
Wanderlust are a rock band from Paphos. The band was fully realised in January 2008 when Natalie (vocals), George K (guitar), Philippos (bass), Dimitris (guitar), Rafaella (drums) and George G (trumpet) decided to combine their musical experiences. With influences from alternative rock, and the band members' own diverse tastes in music, Wanderlust have already established themselves as a popular live act in Cyprus.
From headlining shows and festivals, to supporting artists such as Greek Electro Band “Mikro”, former Pyx Lax member Manos Xydous, as well as supporting Christos Thiveos for a charity event, Wanderlust have also won second place at Bandsfest 2008 in Nicosia. Their debut EP album, "Technology?" already receives serious airplay on several radio stations
Cyprus Rock Times: What are your main musical influences; Wanderlust: Radiohead, PJ Harvey, Muse etc. Cyprus Rock Times: What are you up to nowadays? Wanderlust: Playing live @ Kookoo club in Athens, recording in winter! Cyprus Rock Times: What are you future plans? Wanderlust: Playing live and releasing albums! Cyprus Rock Times: What is the craziest “rock ‘n’ roll” experience you ever had as a band? Wanderlust: Every rehearsal is a new adventure!!! A message for the fans that will be attending the festival: "Keep your ears open to anything new, keep it real and enjoy music for what it is…."
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No Off Switch are a classic rock band, playing only original classic rock and they guarantee to rock your socks off. They rock like no others. All the members cut their teeth in bands such as Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, Black Sabbath and the like. They like audience participation so bring your singing voices with you. No Off Switch are loud, very rock and entertaining!
Cyprus Rock Times: What are your main musical influences; Rick Kendall (No Off Switch's guitarist): Any rock music, but mostly Van Halen, AC/DC, Black Sabbath/Ozzy, Metallica. Cyprus Rock Times: What are you up to nowadays? Rick Kendall: Next gig is Rock Pissouri, then as a band we are going to write some more material. look for a full time singer then hit the road. Me and our drummer are also contemplating a punk cover band! Cyprus Rock Times: What are you future plans? Rick Kendall: Me and our drummer (Saviour) are also contemplating a punk band! Cyprus Rock Times: What is the craziest “rock ‘n’ roll” experience you ever had as a band? Rick Kendall: Everybody almost dying on the Isle of Man ferry! A message for the fans that will be attending the festival: "If you are not Pissed, Deaf, Happy and don't have a new tattoo then you haven't enjoyed yourself…"
The Low Spark was formed in 2009 by ex-Snakecharmer members Mario Michael and Lefteris Moumtzis and drummer Dimitris Panayides. They play their own blend of 70’s flavoured, funked-up-soul-rock.
For Pissouri Rock they will premier brand new original material. Expect psychedelic improvisations and spaced-out jams!
One of the best if not the best British AC/DC tribute bands ever to hit the stage. Having played together since the early 90's, Ride On have amassed a huge following and have played large venues and events.
They play all your favourite classic Bon Scott - era AC/DC, such as 'Highway to Hell', 'Touch to Much', 'The Jack', 'Riff Raff', 'Whole Lotta Rosie' and many more. They the headliners of this year’s festival!
Cyprus Rock Times: What are your main musical influences; Chris Beckett (Ride On's bassist): The man who made me pick up a bass guitar was Bruce Foxton (The Jam), but once I started playing live on a regular basis my musical influences widened and I now have a vast and varied number of influences, too many to mention.. Cyprus Rock Times: What are you up to nowadays? Chris Beckett : I have eased up on the live event scene over the last few years and pretty much just play with 'Ride On' nowadays, but, I will do a bit of stand in playing if a band gets stuck and needs a quick stand in!
Cyprus Rock Times: What are you future plans? Chris Beckett : To kick ass playing our giant dose of rock and roll tribute to Bon Scott and AC/DC! Cyprus Rock Times: What is the craziest “rock ‘n’ roll” experience you ever had as a band? Chris Beckett : I don’t think we could mention that on your radio station, could we ??? hahahahaha!!! A message for the fans that will be attending the festival: "Prepare yourself for a GIANT DOSE OF ROCK & ROLL and could we see some "Anguses" in the audience please, look forward to seeing you all!"
ROCK PISSOURI FESTIVAL Saturday the 17th of July Pissouri Amphithatre Pissouri Rock Pissouri official website Rock Pissouri on facebook
Tickets: 20 Euros in advance (from here) 22 Euros on the door
Doors Open: 17.30
Festival Program: 13 Beats Off : 18.30-19.00 Wanderlust: 19.15-20.00 No Off Switch: 20.15-20.55 The Low Spark: 21.00-22.00 Ride On: 22.15-23.30
See You All There! The editor |
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The CyRock Team (rockcyprus at gmail.com - rockcyprus at hotmail.com) |
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