Another 2 Days of DIY Chaos (But not in Athens)

 Last weekend we headed towards Patras and Ioannina along with our great and lunatic friends Face Repeat and Gosla, for two gigs organized by the self organized group Τέχνασμα
and the diy music collective Studio from the Down.

First station was Patras, where we played with Baladesert, a stoner rock band from Pyrgos and a cover band of the group which for this gig played a bunch of songs by Tug, a guy that was a vital element of the DIY scene in Patras and in Greece in general and passed away in 2013. Place was really nice, we met and chat with many great people and of course all the bands played amazing. 
The next day, Gamelan and Βαριόμαστε στη Πόλη (We are bored in town) were gonna, but we had to left for Ioannina so we couldn't be there for their gig. We were told they had a really good time too!

So next day, we arrived at Antiviosi Squat, were we found the people from the squat and Studio from the down who they welcomed us with the warmest way. The lineup consisted of 5 bands, Skotodini, Phat Problem and the 3 of us. Everything was so great, the bands, the people, the atmosphere. Skotodini is a legendary band indeed, Phat Problem, coming from Brighton, played also really great. As for the rest we can say for sure that it was one of the best gigs we played, words that are coming from all the three bands. 

After the live, a couple of greek punk anthems were more than enough, for the people to go mad. A mania got into us all and eveyone was started dancing, pogoing, jumping and screaming till the sun rises. One of the best nights we ever experienced as a band, as friends, as people. The collective spirit that defines an alive squat cannot be found elsewhere. And moments like these can't repeat themselves. 

A huge thanks to all the people that showed up and supported the two gigs, all the bands we shared amps and drum sets and the people from the two DIY music groups that set up these two nights. 

To the next ones. 

DEFEND DIY MUSIC AND SPACES

Poster for 1st Day (Patras)

Poster for 2nd day (Ioannina)

Antiviosi Squat 

Antiviosi Squat

DIY Gathering

 This Friday and Saturday we're heading to Thessaloniki and Farbika Yfanet squat once more. 

Last summer, organized by the same collective (Ihitiko Ksespasma), there was a gathering of the majority of DIY collectives and studios from all over Greece. We were there with the StuΔio crew as well and it was an amazing experience. Meeting and discussing with all these like minded people makes you feel like you're not alone in this thing. Lots of these collectives are facing the same obstacles, come up with the same solutions, analyzing situations with similar views and that was the place for this to be realized. 

Anyway, in about 3 days we're gonna be part of a similar meeting, but this time not nationwide. StuΔio, YpogaK94 and Δ.Ι.Υ. (Διαστουντιακός Ιμάντας Υποστήριξης) and of course Ihitiko Ksespasma who called this gathering, are going to be part of it. 

There's gonna be a gig on Friday night with Φράξια, Gosla (StuΔio screamo sibling) and DEEPXCUT. 

Saturday evening a discussion will take place regarding the connection of the DIY movement with the wider political  and social struggles given,  how inclusive our spaces are and in general the viability and the future of it in these times of repression. 

And there's another gig at Saturday night with us, Kalpa, Slugpest and Krigssystem. 

That's it. We're looking forward to be part of this gathering, as a band and members of a collective. 
Once again we get to play with great friends and get to meet new bands and people. 

Days like these empower the feeling of community. Spending time together in squats, exchanging thoughts and beliefs, setting up gigs, playing music. And DIY stands exactly for these moments. 

See you there. 

Invisible Cities

"It is pointless trying to decide whether a city is to be classified among the happy or the unhappy. It makes no sense to divide cities into these two species, but rather into another two: those that through the years and the changes continue to give their form to desires, and those in which desires either erase the city or are erased by it."

 -Italo Calvino, ''Invisible Cities''

An excerpt from the Band-Aid On A Bullet Wound CD booklet. 

Engraving by the amazing Linen (as every engraving in this booklet)

 

2 chaotic days indeed!

Friday and Saturday was way more than we expected. 

Sometimes when you wait for something so much, anxiety plays weird tricks on you and you don't know what to expect. 

For example, some thoughts we had during the setting of Friday gig at StuΔio, were ranging between the cops storming the place and the PA system bursting into fire. 

Fortunately, none of this happened during both days.

So, Friday night at StuΔio. 

Calf started the gig, in an already packed place. 20 minutes of psychotic riffing and drumming and insane growls. Calf haven't played a gig for about 6 years and what was happening was important. 

State of Loss played afterwards, in their second ever gig. They were amazing. A mix of energetic punk, emotive post hardcore and grimy noise rock. A true ode to 90s. 

Juju Bruju closed this great evening. Their set was pure bliss. Spoken word to screams and mathy rhythms to destructive noisy climaxes. 

That was day one.

Next day, Ypoga K94.

Anxiety has been driven away from the excitement of last night. 

Face Repeat marked the beginning and they set the atmosphere with their angular riffs and soul piercing growls. 

We played afterwards, and we had a really great time. It felt so good for us to play again in this basement. 

Kalpa were next and they were fucking huge. Maybe the best gig we've ever seen them play. Huge.

Living Under Drones were to end these beautiful 2days. Loud and intense as always, with Begotten playing in the background, they killed it.

That's a quick review of the past few days. It's difficult to put into words all the process, the feelings and the outcome of this thing. 

If you want something so bad, you insist and you make it happen. 

And that 2 days was all about that. 

 

2 Days of DIY Chaos

The 4th and 5th of April represent everything we stand for as a band. People meeting, co-organizing concerts, expressing themselves freely, screaming, shouting, making noise against this world that wants everything a product ready to be bought. 

StuΔio & YpogaK94 unite their common need of organizing anti-hierarchical and anti-commercialized concerts, to put up 2 days of experimental and noisy music.

First day is taking place at the basement of StuΔio, with State of Loss (from Patras and Athens), Juju Bruju (from Thessaloniki) and Calf (from Karditsa and Athens). 

Second day is going to take place at Ypoga K94, where we're going to play with Face Repeat (from Athens), Kalpa (from Athens and Karditsa) and Living Under Drones (from Athens). 

We're really looking forward to these days so we can play again with our dear friends and meet new ones. 

DIY music and concerts is what keep us alive and kicking in this city and we have to support them with all our powers. 

Links for the two music groups

StuΔio (Text in English) 

Ypoga K94 (Text in English)