Unfortunately i didn't make it to Patras, for last Friday's concert, at "Politeia". Put the blame on my book-keeper and the fact he is afraid of my losing deadlines.The dirty old bastard told me that Friday was my last chance to complete my declaration of income for 2006. He told me he was joking around the time Raining Pleasure should have be getting on stage. $^#The dirty old bastard told me that Friday was my last chance to complete my declaration of income for 2006. He told me he was joking around the time Raining Pleasure should have be getting on stage. $^#$&%&$*$!
amp;%&$*$!
This was the fourth time i have missed a concert of them in Patras, during the last twelve years. Dimitris, you will pay this!!!
Anyway, i saw them at "Ston Aera", the next day, Saturday.
It was their first time in Athens, doing a proper show with Mick, the new German guitarist. Ok, they also played at Fuzz Club, 12th March, for the Coca-Cola Soundwave, but they only played for 30-40 minutes.
The band is in fantastic form. The club was full. They had no synthies, just three guitars, bass and drums. Pure rock! The 4 new songs they played are excellent and make a promise about an album that will really reflect the band's pure energy on live appearances. "Tik Boom Crash" is a born chart-topper and "Our Father', the new name for "Burn Down The Church", has become even more staight-forward. I loved it...
The live version of "Stay" was much more passionate and Pixies-like, than the demo version, with Vassilikos' inspired low-key vocals and "Flamengo" was a real punkish dynamite who confirmed the new attiude and musical directions of the band.
The top moment of the gig was their cover of "Wholla Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin. It was the first time -as far as i can recall- i heard an actual solo played by them! Vassilikos was f-a-n-t-a-s-t-i-c in vocals, in a song that great Robert Plant put his eternal trademark. Everybody was singing and dancing like maniacs -especially me- and i was left counting days till their next show at "Planet Music", Mets, Athens.
Oh, by the way... My good friend Dimitris (not the book-keeper) was apparently so excited by the show, he actually forgot me and left me alone at Petroupoli (or else, about 10 euros by taxi from exarcheia!). Nice...
.............
They have found an English producer and i hope that his ideas and vision for the new album will contribute to a great work.
Raining Pleasure, the world still awaits! Rock on!!!
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p.s the photo is taken from blackhole's Myspace profile (thank you!)
