Welcome to Downtuned
Tell us a few words about the group, when and where did you get started?
How did you meet?
Billys: The group started sometime in 2006 in Thessaloniki with a different line up than we are now. Our vocalist at the time was George and our drummer was Nikos. We were playing with this line up for about 2 years but due to difference in music preferences George left the group and we went instrumental for quite some time until Cobas came to fill in the gap on vocals. As soon as we managed to get back on track, our drummer Nikos had to leave the city so we started looking for a new drummer. A different George filled in the spot and since then we are the same people in the group, which are Jellys : Guitar, Billys : Guitar, Mike : Bass, Cobas : Vox, George : Drums. As far as how we met is quite simple. We all live in Thessaloniki, interested in music and playing it so we met through mutual friends. Jellys and Mike were already playing together in a band called “Be at last Gasp”. Me and Jellys were friends since childhood, Jellys and Cobas, who was living in the UK for many years but came back, were drinking in the same bar... so you get the picture.
Which are your musical influences?
Mike: We got loads of musical influences like Tool, Kyuss, Melvins, Alice In Chains, Nirvana, Faith No More...
Cobas: As you can see we got a lot of influences from the '90s, and you can hear that in our songs, but i don't think that we sound exactly like any of those bands in the end. As well as we are not only influenced by '90s bands.
Billys: You can say that we got various musical influences from post metal to punk, D-beat stuff.
What’s your lyrics about? What catches your interest?
Cobas: Personal issues, Social issues, Political issues and much more. There is some story telling in some songs... one anti-war song. Lets just say that the lyrics are based on Human issues. We are very peculiar living organisms, so self absorbed and narrow minded but with the potential to explore space and make theories about the creation of the universe. There is so much to talk about...
Is the communication with the crowd something that you care about, in all levels, or do you do music for yourselves?
Billys: I play music because I really enjoy the whole process from writing a riff to jamming it with the group until it becomes a complete song. If the audience happens to like the music, then that makes me so fuckin happy.
Cobas: To me personally communication with the crowd is very important. Because we send our energy to them and if they send theirs as well, then we get this connection, this chemistry between us and them. Up till now whenever this happens the feeling is indescribable. And up till now we never got a negative reaction.
Mike: I don't care what the others say. I do it for myself :p
Do you feel like you’re a part of a particular “scene” in which you would like to join and contribute or you are indifferent about it?
Mike: We have some close friends in other bands and we support each other, but I don't think that we belong in any particular scene.
Cobas: Some people say we are a stoner band, some say we are a grunge band, others an alternative metal band...
Billys: I don't think that any band starts playing considering that they are part of any “scene”. This kind of categorization stems from the audience due to similarities in sound, stance etc.
How do you imagine that the band will be in ten years from now?
Billys: Hopefully still jamming together trying to make some music..
Cobas: Yes, and in ten years time maybe being good at it!
Mike: I think that after so long we will be better then now :p
Which famous artist you would like to be a guest to a record of yours and why?
Mike: Mike Patton, because he is the man!
Billys: The first person that came to my mind was John Dyer Baizley from Baroness. I guess it has something to do with the weird riffing music they play and I would also like him to draw us one of his masterpieces for an album cover.
What plans do you have for the near future?
Billys: We are currently recording our first album which will hopefully end soon and then gigs to promote it.
Cobas: In other words the usual... But with our first LP coming out we are going to play in many places that we haven't played before. There are plans for many shows, all which are going to be announced in due time.
Mike: and after that compose new stuff.
We wish you good luck to whatever you’re doing, the epilogue is yours.
Mike: We wish you good luck too Downtuned ;)
Billys: Thank you Downtuned for having us in your website and giving us the opportunity to promote our band. We salute everyone who supports us and DIY music regardless of the music genre. Cheers!!
Cobas: Yeah, thanx a ton for the interview. You will be hearing from us very soon.
by Kavaldi
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