Xylina Spathia
Encyclopedia
Xylina Spathia was a Greek rock
band founded in 1993.
, Greece
by Pavlos Pavlidis
(vocals) - former member of the band Mora sti Fotia - Vasilis Gountaroulis (synthesizer), Panos Tolios (drums) and Christos Tsaprazis (bass). Following the footsteps of Trypes
, they started a new wave of Greek rock
music for that era, building on the traditional forms of contemporary rock.
Their first album 'Ξεσσαλονίκη' (Xessaloniki (1993)) made a really notable appearance, bringing alternative rock
in greek music.
With their second album 'Πέρα Από τις Πόλεις της Ασφάλτου' (Pera apo tis Poleis tis Asfaltou, Beyond the Cities of Asphalt (1995)) - which was re-released because of some problems the band had with their previous label - Xylina Spathia startled many with the maturity of their songs. The song 'Λιωμένο Παγωτό' (Liomenio Pagoto, Melted ice-cream) makes a never before success for a rock song in Greece
overcoming the audience it was originally referred to and the style it represented.
The songs 'Λιωμένο Παγωτό' and 'Ο Βασιλιάς της Σκόνης' (O Vasilias Tis Skonis, The Κing of Dust) became youth hymns and until today are considered to be two of the most notable classic Greek rock
songs.
A lot of concerts all over Greece
followed, with their public growing bigger and bigger until their next album 'Μια Ματιά σαν Βροχή' (Mia Matia san Vrohi, A Glimpse like Rain (1997)) which, with changes in sound and composition, added new dynamic to their profile. The public reception pushed sales very high, making them a respectable band. More particularly, their third album earned them gold and their second platinum. Their successful appearances that summer in 'Festival of Vyronas' in Athens
- where a record of 8,000 audience was gathered - and Nicosia
, Cyprus
, proofed their reception.
The same year, after an invitation from MTV
, the band appeared in H.Q. Club in London
, after replacing Panos Tolios at drums with Takis Kannelos of Mode Plagal
. Concerts were played in four cities of England
.
Because of the busy concert schedule, another change appeared in the formation of Xylina Spathia, now with Giannis Mitsis taking the place of Takis Kannelos as drummer.
The highlights of their career were thought to be their concert at the Rockwave Festival
(1998), their support appearance at a Rolling Stones concert in Athens
in September 1998 and their sold-out concerts in Rodon, Athens
and Mylo, Thessaloniki
, also in 1998.
Their last work, 'Ένας Κύκλος στον Αέρα' (Enas Kyklos ston Aera, A Circle in the Air (2000)) added new, electronic elements to their style and is actually another classic and representative album of the band.
After that, the band left the scene for reasons unknown. Despite that, the influence of their songs with the catchy melodies and the lyrical depth can still be noticed. Not only because their songs are still sung by people and played on the radio, but also because they encouraged other bands to continue what they started. Public reception and sales make Xylina Spathia within reason the most successful Greek band along with Trypes
.
Greek rock
Rock and roll, spread around the world in the 1950s and 60s, entering Greece in the middle of the 60s. Greek rock performers in the field include Jimi Quidd , and Pavlos Sidiropoulos, the most important representative of Greek folk-rock and rock.-1960s:Greek rock , originated in the early 1960s with...
band founded in 1993.
History
Xylina Spathia were formed in 1993 in ThessalonikiThessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
by Pavlos Pavlidis
Pavlos Pavlidis (musician)
Pavlos Pavlidis is a Greek singer-songwriter, best known as a member of the band Mora sti Fotia and as the frontman of the alternative rock band Xylina Spathia . He is the leader of the band Pavlos Pavlidis & The B-Movies ....
(vocals) - former member of the band Mora sti Fotia - Vasilis Gountaroulis (synthesizer), Panos Tolios (drums) and Christos Tsaprazis (bass). Following the footsteps of Trypes
Trypes
Trypes , which translates in English as "Holes" are an acclaimed greek rock band. Members come from Thessaloniki.-History:Trypes was created in 1983 when Giorgos Karras and Giannis Aggelakas wrote their first, post-punk influenced lyrics....
, they started a new wave of Greek rock
Greek rock
Rock and roll, spread around the world in the 1950s and 60s, entering Greece in the middle of the 60s. Greek rock performers in the field include Jimi Quidd , and Pavlos Sidiropoulos, the most important representative of Greek folk-rock and rock.-1960s:Greek rock , originated in the early 1960s with...
music for that era, building on the traditional forms of contemporary rock.
Their first album 'Ξεσσαλονίκη' (Xessaloniki (1993)) made a really notable appearance, bringing alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
in greek music.
With their second album 'Πέρα Από τις Πόλεις της Ασφάλτου' (Pera apo tis Poleis tis Asfaltou, Beyond the Cities of Asphalt (1995)) - which was re-released because of some problems the band had with their previous label - Xylina Spathia startled many with the maturity of their songs. The song 'Λιωμένο Παγωτό' (Liomenio Pagoto, Melted ice-cream) makes a never before success for a rock song in Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
overcoming the audience it was originally referred to and the style it represented.
The songs 'Λιωμένο Παγωτό' and 'Ο Βασιλιάς της Σκόνης' (O Vasilias Tis Skonis, The Κing of Dust) became youth hymns and until today are considered to be two of the most notable classic Greek rock
Greek rock
Rock and roll, spread around the world in the 1950s and 60s, entering Greece in the middle of the 60s. Greek rock performers in the field include Jimi Quidd , and Pavlos Sidiropoulos, the most important representative of Greek folk-rock and rock.-1960s:Greek rock , originated in the early 1960s with...
songs.
A lot of concerts all over Greece
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
followed, with their public growing bigger and bigger until their next album 'Μια Ματιά σαν Βροχή' (Mia Matia san Vrohi, A Glimpse like Rain (1997)) which, with changes in sound and composition, added new dynamic to their profile. The public reception pushed sales very high, making them a respectable band. More particularly, their third album earned them gold and their second platinum. Their successful appearances that summer in 'Festival of Vyronas' in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
- where a record of 8,000 audience was gathered - and Nicosia
Nicosia
Nicosia from , known locally as Lefkosia , is the capital and largest city in Cyprus, as well as its main business center. Nicosia is the only divided capital in the world, with the southern and the northern portions divided by a Green Line...
, Cyprus
Cyprus
Cyprus , officially the Republic of Cyprus , is a Eurasian island country, member of the European Union, in the Eastern Mediterranean, east of Greece, south of Turkey, west of Syria and north of Egypt. It is the third largest island in the Mediterranean Sea.The earliest known human activity on the...
, proofed their reception.
The same year, after an invitation from MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
, the band appeared in H.Q. Club in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, after replacing Panos Tolios at drums with Takis Kannelos of Mode Plagal
Mode Plagal
Mode Plagal is an originally Greek group who perform traditional Greek music blended with jazz, funk and other international styles. They have been described as "the preeminent ambassadors of the much-maligned vernacular Greek music in the 21st century"...
. Concerts were played in four cities of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
Because of the busy concert schedule, another change appeared in the formation of Xylina Spathia, now with Giannis Mitsis taking the place of Takis Kannelos as drummer.
The highlights of their career were thought to be their concert at the Rockwave Festival
Rockwave Festival
Rockwave Festival is a rock festival held in Malakassa, Greece, a few miles outside of Athens, Greece. It is one of the most famous music festivals in Greece. The festival's history begins back in 1995, but it had its popularity spread since 2004...
(1998), their support appearance at a Rolling Stones concert in Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
in September 1998 and their sold-out concerts in Rodon, Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
and Mylo, Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
, also in 1998.
Their last work, 'Ένας Κύκλος στον Αέρα' (Enas Kyklos ston Aera, A Circle in the Air (2000)) added new, electronic elements to their style and is actually another classic and representative album of the band.
After that, the band left the scene for reasons unknown. Despite that, the influence of their songs with the catchy melodies and the lyrical depth can still be noticed. Not only because their songs are still sung by people and played on the radio, but also because they encouraged other bands to continue what they started. Public reception and sales make Xylina Spathia within reason the most successful Greek band along with Trypes
Trypes
Trypes , which translates in English as "Holes" are an acclaimed greek rock band. Members come from Thessaloniki.-History:Trypes was created in 1983 when Giorgos Karras and Giannis Aggelakas wrote their first, post-punk influenced lyrics....
.
Ξεσσαλονίκη (Xessaloniki)
- Label: Ano Kato
- Format: 1 CD
- Release Date: 1993
Tracklist
- Αφού σου το πα (Afou Sou To Pa, I told you so)
- Ερώτηση Κλειδί (Erotisi Kleidi, Key Question)
- Ξεσσαλονίκη (Xessaloniki)
- Ο Καβαλάρης του Τρόμου (O Kavalaris Tou Tromou, The Rider of Fear)
- Το Νερό που Κυλάει (To Nero Pou Kylaei, The Water that flows)
- Πουλιά (Poulia, Birds)
- Ο Βασιλιάς της Σκόνης (O Vasilias Tis Skonis, The King of Dust)
- Αδρεναλίνη (Adrenalini, Adrenaline)
- Τρένο Φάντασμα (Treno Fantasma, Phantom Train)
- Σιωπή (Siopi, Silence)
- Ρόδες (Rodes, Wheels)
- Λόλα (Lola)
Πέρα Από τις Πόλεις της Ασφάλτου (Pera Apo Tis Poleis Tis Asfaltou, Beyond the Cities of Asphalt)
- Label: Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
- Format: 1 CD
- Release date: 1995
Tracklist
- Λιωμένο Παγωτό (Liomeno Pagoto, Melted Ice-cream)
- Ρίτα (Rita)
- Ο Εξορκιστής (O Exorkistis, The Exorcist)
- Ό,τι Θες Εσύ (O,ti Thes Esy, Whatever You Want)
- Φωτιά στο Λιμάνι (Fotia Sto Limani, Fire at the Port)
- Ατλαντίς (Atlantis)
- O Κάιν (O Kain, Cain)
- Μη Ρωτάς (Mi Rotas, Don't Ask)
- Οι Συμμορίες της Ασφάλτου (Oi Symmories Tis Asfaltou, The Gangs of Asphalt)
- Μη Ρωτάς (REMIX 2)
Μια Ματιά Σαν Βροχή (Mia Matia San Vrohi, A Glimpse Like Rain)
- Label: Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
- Format: 1 CD
- Release date: 1997
Tracklist
- Ρομπότ (Robot)
- Το Καράβι (To Karavi, The Ship)
- Ζεστός Αέρας (Zestos Aeras, Hot Wind)
- Έχεις Ξανάρθει Εδώ (Eheis Xanarthei Edo, You've Been Here Before)
- Βροχοποιός (Vrohopoios, Rainmaker)
- Δεν Έχει Τέλος (Den Ehei Telos, It Has No End)
- Ένα Παράξενο Τραγούδι (Ena Paraxeno Tragoudi, A Strange Song)
- Στο Βράχο (Sto Vraho, At the Rock)
- Μόνο Αυτό (Mono Auto, Only That)
- Αλλάζει Πρόσωπα η Θλίψη (Allazei Prosopa I Thlipsi, Sorrow Changes Faces)
Η Τροφή για τα Θηρία (EP) (I Trofi gia ta Thiria, Food for the Beasts)
- Label: Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
- Format: CD S 1
- Release date: 1999
Tracklist
- Τροφή για τα Θηρία
- Διαστημόπλοια (Diastimoploia, Spaceships)
- Χάθηκα (Hathika, I'm lost)
- Τώρα Αρχίζω και Θυμάμαι (Tora Arhizo Kai Thimamai, Now I Begin To Remember)
Ένας Κύκλος στον Αέρα (Enas Kyklos Ston Aera, A Circle in the Air)
- Label: Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
- Format: 1 CD
- Release date: 2000
Tracklist
- Η Τελευταία Φορά (I Teleutaia Fora, The Last Time)
- Πάρε με Μαζί σου (Pare Me Mazi Sou, Take Me With You)
- Στο Νότο (Sto Noto, To The South)
- Τι Περιμένουν (Ti Perimenoun, What Are They Waiting For)
- Ο Ναυαγός (O Navagos)
- Κοιτάζω τα Σπίτια (Koitazo Ta Spitia, I'm Looking at the Houses)
- Σαν Εσένα (San Esena, Like You)
- Πρέπει να Έρθεις (Prepei Na Ertheis, You Should Come)
- Χάρτινος Ουρανός (Hartinos Ouranos, Paper Sky)
- Οι Δαίμονες (Oi Daimones, The Demons)
Tracklist
- Ατλαντίς
- Ρίτα
- Ένα Παράξενο Τραγούδι
- Ρόδες
- Τι Περιμένουν
- Τα Πουλιά
- Σαν Εσένα
- Γκραντ Οτέλ (Grand Hotel)
- Στο Βράχο
- Τώρα Αρχίζω και Θυμάμαι
- Δεν Έχει Τέλος
- Τρένο Φάντασμα
- Πάρε με Μαζί σου
- Αδρεναλίνη
- Κοιτάζω τα Σπίτια
Τα Ξύλινα Σπαθιά (Ta Xylina Spathia)-The Best Of
- Label: EMIEMIThe EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
- Format: 1 CD
- Release date: 2007
Tracklist
- Λιωμένο Παγωτό
- Ρίτα
- Φωτιά στο Λιμάνι
- Ατλαντίς
- Ο Βασιλιάς της Σκόνης
- Βροχοποιός
- Ένα Παράξενο Τραγούδι
- Κοιτάζω τα Σπίτια
- Η Τελευταία Φορά
- Γκραντ Οτέλ (LIVE)
- Αδρεναλίνη
- Πάρε με Μαζί σου
- Αλλάζει Προσωπα η Θλίψη
- Τροφή για τα Θηρία
- Διαστημόπλοια
- Σαν Εσένα
- Wooden Sword