Tonight (22:00-23:00 Athens Greece) on RockZone Kanaliena 90.4 FM. Dimitris Antonopoulos is honored to welcome Mr. James Williamson of Stooges on air for a live interview.
It is definitely the concert of the month. The Wire for the first time in Athens! Thom Fuhrmann of great SAVAGE REPUBLIC explains in today's article for the column the reason. See you soon in Athens Thom.
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In 1984, I lived for brief time in a garage behind an old citrus grove house in Pomona, California. It was very cold and full of black widow spiders. I was living the romantic life of "the starving artist".
The garage contained a small mattress and fridge, my bass, my amplifier, and a cheap record player. The lion's share of my record collection remained at my father's house, but I did keep 6 albums on hand (which I played to death!)
"Hatful of Hollow" by the Smiths
"Porcupine" by Echo and the Bunnymen"
"Movement" by New Order
"Unknown Pleasures" by Joy Division"
"Play" by Magazine
And probably the most significant of all, "154" by Wire...I had been playing bass for about 18 months and by a huge stroke of luck, ended up joining Savage Republic. I was really wet behind the ears! I had the great fortune of spending time around the guys in Wall of Voodoo and I absorbed all kinds of musical influence through them.
I absolutely love all of the aforementioned records, but there was something about "154" that set it completely apart from the others. The hooks! The ambience! The wry wit and constant play on words. Each song melded into the next so perfectly. It really was the perfect record... The balance of melody to noise was unparalleled.
It's obvious to anyone that has ever heard Savage Republic, that Wire was a huge influence! (I often teased Phil (aka Jackson Del Rey) that "Film Noir" was "very similar" to "A Touching Display"...)
Well, like so many other gifts in my blessed life, I once again have another "chance of a lifetime". Next week, I will be flying to Greece to record with Stella Papandreopoulou. She will be adding her beautiful voice to "Aegean" and "Exarchion", (the first and final tracks on the upcoming SR album titled "Aegean")
I have carefully timed my visit to coincide with the first ever live appearance of Wire in Greece! It totally blows my mind that they have never played there!
I played my first show with SR in Greece in 1987 and have played on 4 different occasions since. (not to mention having the honor of recording "Customs" in Thessaloniki in '88) There is not an experience in the world that compares to playing for a Greek audience! I remember talking to Pete Shelley of the Buzzcocks after we played together in Thessaloniki and he couldn't stop singing the Greek audience's praise! I know that Wire is in for a very special treat!
I look forward to next week's visit and seeing old friends! If you are at the Wire show and you see me, please say hello! I also look forward to finishing "Aegean." Who knows? perhaps SR will return to Greece again one day? It will always be our home away from home...
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