[TRADUZIONE IN ITALIANO: LINK]
Chain Cult is a dark punk band from Athens that dropped the sickest demo of 2018.
Let's hear what they have to say.
1) The band started with the 150 copies limited tape and then it got repressed on LP by La Vida Es Un Mus. Did you tought it would have been considered by a foreign label? Are you enthusiast with the sound of the demo? Which are the next steps in your musical production?Let's hear what they have to say.
Jason: We loved the songs and we wanted the tape to be released in vinyl format 'cause we wouldn't repress the tape and we didn't have money to do it by ourselves. So we sent some tapes to the labels we love, asking them if they wanted to release it. Paco from La Vida said yes and there it is! He also released our 7'' EP Isolated. The sound of the demo was strict and simple. Now we are recording our full length album and we want the sound to be more anarcho punk but in a post-punk way if you get me.
Dino: I think we're very pleased so far. Our sound has been clear but I wouldn't say radio-friendly, a thing I personally like, still keeping the punk rock flame alive. I wouldn't change a lot of things. Our upcoming debut LP sounds to me as a combination of our previous two releases, plus new elements as Jason mentioned, like anarcho-punk and a rockish touch.
2) Let’s talk about the graphical aspect of the tape. We got impressed by how the the tape looks and how it fits with your sound. Everything is perfect: the front cover, the font of the logo and the sticker included. Who is the responsible for the graphical aspect? Is it important to you as a band?
Jason: The graphical aspect for Chain Cult is as important as the music. We decided to work with Aris 'cause we love his work, he could really understand what we wanted to do 'cause he knows the sound, the aesthetics and us as persons. So he could reflect all these in the cover/logo/t-shirts and many posters for our shows. You can find more of his work at advisions.bigcartel.com and on insta as “adaimonvision”.
3) We heard that Greece had a glorious post-punk/darkwave scene back in the days. We sincerely don’t know anything about that! Enlighten us, we need to know more Greek bands that aren’t Chain Cult or Necromantia (yes, we love metal, so if you know some decent heavy/speed bands you’re welcome too).
Dino: It's true! We had some amazing bands playing dark-wave in the '80s, and I'm happy people are digging again this stuff. You could check: Χωρίς Περιδέραιο, Metro Decay, Alive She Died, Clown. My old time favorite Greek band is Γενιά Του Χάους. It's actually punk to hardcore punk, but it's very grey and dark atmosphere. There's also a nice local revival in our days with bands like Era Of Fear, Cold I, Σκοτοδίνη, and Αρχή Του Τέλους where Vangelis, our drummer, also plays. I love heavy metal, I'm not an expert in our local heavy metal scene, but be sure to check Sacral Rage, you're gonna get blown away.
4) Give us five records (or more) that are mandatory for the band with a brief description for each one.
Dino: Five personal ones which I think fit Jason's and Vangelis' tastes as well are:
- Blitz – Second Empire Justice
- Cure – Disintegration and Pornography
- Wipers – first three or even the whole discography
- Chameleons – Script Of The Bridge
- Zounds – The Curse Of Zounds
- The Sound – Jeopardy
I know, I cheated.
5) Let’s talk about the lyrics. You chose the English language because you needed to spread your words everywhere or is just because Greek language doesn’t fit with your music? There will be room for Greek language in the future?
Jason: We love greek speaking punk but that time we decided to do something more international. Although we have discussed of adding some greek lyrics sometime in the future.
6) Speaking about the content of the lyrics, we see a balance between a ragefull/melanchonic approach and hints of politics/anti-systems thoughts. In which percentual lyrics are influenced by this “state of fear” that we live in and your state of mind?
Jason: There are some everyday life/routine/dissapointment/struggles that we wanted to talk about in our songs but the same time being political and taking a stance is a very important aspect of punk and our lives so we had to add it. Expect some more in the future! “State of Fear” is about the dystopian authoritarian police state reality we all live in where repression is all around us and sometimes we act likes its not real or when we listen about shocking news in another place of the earth and we say: ohh this would never happened here. But it is or it will be if we dont act.
7) Are you active in your DIY scene? What are the best aspect and the worst parts of living the punk/DIY scene of Athens?
Jason: Well we set up shows, help organizing bigger benefit events, we drive bands around, Vangelis plays in ten or more other bands and Dino is also writing a punk hardcore fanzine called Winterview.
Dino: I used to be a lot more active when I was living in a smaller city and If I didn't do everything myself, along with four five friends/comrades nothing would happen. Athens is huge and there's already a ton of interesting things happening by other people. I really like there are concerts taking place every week in the city, fully crowded with 200-300 people, even a 1000 sometimes! Gigs are organized in squats, DIY spaces, big universities, or outdoor places with pretty decent sound every time. I think we need more good local bands in the game. I mean I mostly listen to bands from abroad and I'd like this to change. Another thing is that the city is very isolated and it's very difficult for foreign DIY bands to come and play here. However, we've started inviting everyone here so it's been changing a bit (laughs).
8) Feminism and LGBT inclusion had become a core topic into the worldwide alternative community. Are feminist and LGBT group active in your DIY scene or is there a closure about these topics?
Jason: Feminism and lgbt inclusion is an important topic in Greece's DIY scene although as in most places of the world greek punk used to be male dominated. We are happy to see that change day by day with more girls and lgbt people getting active within the community starting bands, releasing zines, brochures, starting new political groups and promoting their agenda!
9) What do you do beside of the band? Are punx still outcasts in Greece or do you think that the stigma of being punk is something from the past?
Dino: Definitely not. I believe that the big majority of punks in Western world come from a middle-class / white privilege background and even the most extreme ones are assimilated within the normality of the current society. It makes me laugh and worry at the same time when I see punks uploading their pre or post-festival fun times on instragram... Including me a few times. And, to be serious, that's why there's a big lack of punk bands with a strong political message and attitude nowadays. I mean if it was about real outcasts you could definitely “hear” their voice. I've studied electrical engineering but I'm unemployed and very confused right now.
10) Promote you friend’s bands and/or your side projects!
Dino: A couple of good Greek current bands: Gay Anniversary, Χωρίς Οίκτο, Ruined Families, Antimob and metal like: Dead Congregation, Tristengrav. I also play in Dirty Wombs
11) Free space for you! Thanks!
Dino: Thanx for your interest!! We play in Italy in two weeks, in Rome and Firenze, come and meet us! We'd love to visit more places in Italy in the future. Thanks a lot!
[Chain Cult went in Italy last month, but we had no time to upload this interview until now].
BANDCAMP
LA VIDA ES UN MUS
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