Rock Overdose's Vivi Jd had the chance to talk with ex-Rage, now on Tri State Corner, Chris Efthimiadis. Enjoy the conversation below:
Rock Overdose: Hello Christo and welcome to Rockoverdose.gr. How are you?
Chris Efthimiadis: Hi Rock Overdose Team, I am fine, thank you, happy to do this interview and get the chance to talk to our Greek friends & fans as well as all to other nations out there.
R.O.: Tell me your news. What are you doing these days?
Chris: Well there is a lot going on...mainly working, recording & touring with my band Tri State Corner – as well I have some further projects I am working on, one of those with my brother Spiros, which is called King’s Tonic...and believe it or not, there is some work in the background with Sub7even aswell...plenty of work, lots of fun...and still rockin’ and rollin’:o)
R.O.: Tell us about your band Tri State Corner and how became the idea of creating a band like this, mixed with different styles of music.
Chris: One of my best friends in life, Lucky, TSCs singer and band leader created this idea with his brother, a great guy and amazing bouzouki player and together with their polish friend and guitar player Christoph they called me in 2004 to explain what they are planning. It took less than a minute to convince me about this idea...obviously...I am a greek rocker living abroad and this was telling somehow my story...so I bought into it...we started to jam and to write songs...it was a no- brainer after a short period of time: playing in a band with your best maids, Hard Rock songs with a greek bouzouki...no question...this is not a band...this is much bigger...this is home...
R.O.: Some of your lyrics are Greek. Tell us about the first reacts of this from people that don’t understand the language, for Germans for example.
Chris: Oh, this is what wonders me every time...they sing along...don’t understand a word...but for some reason they love the exotic factor...I believe the Greek language is perceived as...sophisticated...educational...and of high cultural level...and this in Rock music:o)...All these are positive factors that make you feel comfortable...this might be the mistery behind...
R.O.: Mpouzouki is a Greek instrument. How you decide to use it and how would you describe me your music with three words?
Chris: AGRESSION, TRADITION, EMOTION
We live in a multi- cultural world, where multiple nationalities, cultures and influences mix up more and more. Technology brought us to a point, where distances are no obstacle no more and so I believe it is a human beings nature to try to get the best out of every experience to grow as a person, as a personality. TSC is a perfect example for his development. We are Hard Rockers, we love Metal, we grew up with that...at the same time we grew up in a greek (Christoph in a polish and Markus in a german environment)...I think it was obvious and natural for us that there would be the time to bring all „emotions“ to one party...and...here we are...:o)
R.O.: Who is responsible for the music and the lyrics part of your music?
Chris: As we are a family, we write music together...there is not the one and only song writer in this band...TSC are the song writers...
With lyrics it is different: Lucky has the talent to express what we all think, demand and want to tell with the right words...
R.O.: Are you working on any new stuff nowadays? What’s the next step after your latest album?
Chris: The latest album called „HISTORIA“ was released in November 2011...we toured and tour a lot throughout Europe and we do a lot of work around it...we will release this album in many more countries and we are busy with it fort he next 1,5 years for sure. But we are working aswell on the next album which is planned for end of 2013...there are no boring times...
R.O.: What’s your opinion about all these things that happens in Greece nowadays? What people say there about this situation here?
Chris: This is a topic that makes everyone in the band and around us very very sad. We are not politicians and we can’t judge about the past...what makes us sad is to see how big the suffering is for the normal people like you and me. They have to go through really hard times, although they are not responsible...but some is right and will not be blamed...it is a shame. Greece is the mother country of so many things, has such a strong history and right now we are at the lowest point ever...but what we can tell (aswell from history): we never give up, we are not scared, we are proud and keep our head up high...there will be better days for Greece again.
People built their opinions...yes...some are pro..some just critisize...ok, fair enough...but what do you want to tell far away and outside of the center....? Only the people in the house can tell...
R.O.: Did you miss Rage? Tell us some things about this part of your life and what you have still on your mind as a good or a bad memory?
Chris: Rage for me was a great time, great people...an unbelievable journey I was blessed to follow. And as every part of our lifes, this part ended aswell. I am proud that I was part of it...I was proud that I was part of Sub7even...and I am proud to be a part of TSC now...everything happens at its time...and every step does make sense...it is important to enjoy whatever you do and to do your best with all your power, willingness, fun, honesty and ethusiasm...
R.O.: Any live shows? What we have to expect from you in the future?
Chris: I might have played a few thousand live shows...and I promise...as long as I am healthy...I will keep on doing this...!!! If you guys want to see TSC, get to know us, you will get the chance in the future...thats a given!
R.O.: If you could change one thing in the world what would be this?
Chris: I would delete one of the worst characteristics of human beings: GREED! This would make our world much better...
R.O.: Thanx a lot for your time, the last words are yours!
Chris: Thank you for this opportunity!!!
Dear friends and fans out there – thank you for all this years we had together so far and lets continue this journey together – tell all Greeks around the globe and tell the whole world out there: it is time for BOUZOUKI ROCK!!! The Tri State Corner Express is on its way to your souls...all the best...Chris
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