Ojos De Brujo Sound System (Catalunya)

Intense and uncompromising as the name suggests, Ojos de Brujo (Eyes of the Wizard) perform a non-stop, high-octane brew of flamenco fusion full of humor, mystery and energy.

Their latest album, Techari Live, is the astonishing proof of their great energy on stage. But Ojos de Brujo collective never stops and now they come back with a new style and a whole revelation, Ojos de Brujo Sound System new shows. Drawing inspiration from sme members of the band, they have created a dense, multi-layered world of galactic bandits who kiss the ground. Its roots are pure Barcelona, but its appeal is universal: freedom of expression, freedom of thought, and above all, freedom to hope.

The band's sound is pure, raw emotion, communicative and generous. On stage, in their in-comparable live act, they show the full extent of their inspiration and range, where their sonic flow combines with video art, DJ wizardry, and above all, the heart-stopping flamenco dancing which is part of the past and present of every member in the band. These elements, added to the percussive base of the “cajon freaks,” invite the audience to join in an unforgettable high-energy fiesta that unites music lovers of all backgrounds in buleria bliss.

The ODB SoundSystem performing in Athens are:

DJ Panko: Scratches, keyboards, voice
Max Wright: Voice, Beatbox, percussion
Paco Lomena: Flamenco guitar
Javi Martin: Bass
Sonia Poveda: Dance

http://www.ojosdebrujo.com/

Video from their live performance in Thessaloniki:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ajdFroOjHE&feature=related

Imam Baildi (Greece)

Start by picking the best samples of Greek and Balkan music, Samba and Hip-hop, based on a strong rhythm section along with live drums and percussion instruments mixed with hip-hop, rumba and samba sounds. Add in a few doses of Balkan wind instruments (clarinet, trumpet, saxophone and bagpipe). Proceed with a taste of folk music based on bouzouki and lute and finally of electric guitars' riffs influenced by jazz and you have a live performance of Imam Baildi. Their songs come from their album, Balkan music and new compositions.

The group began its history producing remixes of Greek songs of the 40's, 50's and 60's. In 2007 they released their first CD in Greece. Finally, as seen through their performance last year during the concert of Ojos de Brujo (Athens, July 2007), these two groups when combined, they do really have "chemistry".

Visit their profile in MySpace, where you can find songs from their album, video clips, live videos and press publications

http://www.myspace.com/imambaildi

Ska Bangies (Greece)

Trumpets, trombones and keys in fury! They sing for the resistance against power but also for beautiful girls… Ska Bangies are a 6-member group, formed in February 2005. They play ska, punk and reggae, without hesitating to explore other music areas. Since their creation, they have participated in various festivals, such as Schoolwave 2005/6/7/8, Legalise-it festival 2008 for the depenalisation of cannabis use and they have appeared in various clubs, such as Gagarin 205, Fuzz Club, Kyttaro etc. Their most important performance up to now will be in this year's Rockwave festival, while immediately afterwards they play in Resistance 2008.

Visit their profile in MySpace for information, music and videos:

http://www.myspace.com/skabangies

Fun-Da-Mental (UK)

One of the most well-known and politicized bands within the United Kingdom. Even though rap and hip-hop dominate within their music, they do not reject other kinds of musical forms or sounds of foreign cultures. On the contrary, their multinational composition (being in a way migrants of a second generation, coming from various countries of Asia and Africa), favors the production of a hard rap sound enriched with African and Asian music elements. They have released 19 albums and mini albums since 1992 and they have given many concerts all over the world along with various bands and artists, such as bands of African rap music and James Brown! Their last album is called "All is war" (August 2006), which is not being sold by a grant music corporation; you can rather download it from their official site in a low price!

Their radical political lyrics have caused many and various kinds of counteractions. Many of their songs have been banned within the borders of the "democratic" United Kingdom. The basic axes of their criticism include the opposition against racism, Islam-phobia, the wars of USA and of its allies, the supremacy of West-culture in relation to other cultures and nations.

Concerning their musical and political choices, they stress: "We have always been about information and not messages - discussion and debate as opposed to ranting... It's always been about destroying all the stereotypical ideas about us and others and fighting against the preconceived misconceptions of a host society that has been poisoned by the past".

Visit their official site:

http://www.fun-da-mental.co.uk/

Watch this video of Fun-Da-Mental's history:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wRaTwWuxrg&feature=related

and the videoclip of Cookbook D.I.Y, from their last production "All is War", banned in the UK!

Cookbook D.I.Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCFf3jDpRlI&feature=related

Rodes (Greece)

One of the most well-known Greek bands, born in the winter of 2002. They call them-selves "music-free", combining various music influences. However, their music is usually based on the scheme: hip-hop-dub-electronica-folk.

They have released three albums, by "Archangel Music": "Στη γιορτή της φαντασίας" ("Sti giorti tis fantasias" - "At the fiesta of fantasy"), "Τα πρώτα λεπτά της ολοκαίνουριας ζωής σου" ("Ta prota lepta tis olokenurgias zois sou" - "The first minutes of your brand new life") and "Silent disco". They live in Greece.

http://www.rodestheband.gr/

Watch their video clip "Φοβάμαι" ("Fovame" - "I'm afraid"):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMAi3QSUxRY&feature=related

Martha Frintzila – Vassilis Mantzoukis (Greece) Baumstrasse

Martha Frintzila and Vassilis Mantzoukis, accompanied by 6 excellent rock, popular and traditional musicians, present their most rock-style show. Baumstrasse!
Music and instrumentation: Vassilis Mantzoukis
Lyrics, poetry: Martha Frintzila, Vassilis Mantzoukis, Kostas Vrachnos, Paul Celan, Federico G. Lorca

Στο βάθος του δρόμου
φωνάζουν τα δέντρα
Σας έμεινε ένας δρόμος σταχτής
-πού πηγαίνει;
Στο βάθος σάς ορμάνε τα πουλιά-
τι θα κάνετε;
Θα σφίξετε το χέρι της γυναίκας σας
και θα πάρετε τον δρόμο που φεύγει
στις εννιά.
Φαίνεστε από το βάθος
ιδίως τα βράδια.

V. Mantzoukis

For a glimpse of Martha Frintzila's work and Baumstrasse, visit
http://www.marthaf.eu/
and
http://www.myspace.com/marthafrintzila

Matisse (Greece)

The band was born in a rainy evening in January 1999 in Athens. Based on their love towards the alternative British and American music scene, the members of the band began to compose their first songs and give their first performances.

During the winter of 2002, they began to record their first songs, among which ep"4" (released in 2003) got good reviews. They have participated in many major concerts along with Garbage, Marilyn Manson, Tori Amos, Air, James.

Their two albums "Cheap As Art" and "Toys Up" have been embraced by the Greek, and not only, audience. They have recently completed a tour in the UK, whereas many others follow, such as in Europe, Norseland, Switzerland, Italy and Spain. During the summer the band will participate in various festivals, such as in Resistance 2008..

Check out their official site and their profile in MySpace, containing information, videoclips and photo galleries:

http://www.matisse.gr

http://www.myspace.com/matissetheband