Twisted Sister / Outloud, Athens – Greece, 07-12-2011 (Tuesday)

The fame of the band Twisted Sister is a legacy that carries on from generation to generation, so the announcement of their comeback in Greece was received with much enthusiasm from all the age groups. The decision of the local promoter to transfer the concert to a live club during the middle of the summer was a challenge because the weather was really hot and I was not sure about what to expect from the audience. While I was approaching the venue, there was a small queue which made me realize that there are Athenians who follow their favorite music idols under any circumstances. It was such a good sign and really made my day! The live club is called IERA ODOS and it is located on the street with the same name that has been an ancient Greek historic landmark. The area around Iera Odos is called Kerameikos but the youngsters prefer to baptize it as Gazi due to the existence of the local old factory with the industrial style design. Gazi is an area full of clubs and restaurants that is not really connected to the ancient cultural value of the past but jumps on the bandwagon of the modern music trends and the plastic post modern world. Of course, there is always a chance to turn something basic into something really innovative so I am really waiting to see more live venues in the area that will host new artists.

OUTLOUD rocks!

When I entered the club, OUTLOUD was already playing…Oh crap, why did these people wait outside while the support band was playing inside the venue? I guess that people were feeling the heat and could not stand it!  I hope that did not miss the show because I really respect OUTLOUD as a band. This was the first show for OUTLOUD after about 6 months according to their words, most of the members have been busy with various projects so it is a bit difficult to keep it going with the band in a daily basis. Almost every member of the band has a different project so their music chemistry is always a successive one that carries the different experiences that are gathered together so as to create the OUTLOUD experience. Unfortunately people were not so many during the show but the band tried to wake them up with the tunes of their latest album “Love Catastrophe”. The guitar axing by Bob Katsionis and  the performance by Chandler Mogel  were the highlights of the performance. Especially, Chandler is a really good showman that jumps around the stage and moves inside the audience in order to create the party atmosphere for the band.

“We run, we run”..

The vocalist of OUTLOUD (right in the centre) jumps into the crowd and
sings with them.

“Twisted Sister, come out and play!” Fans waiting for the band to
storm the stage.

The logo of Twisted Sister was above our heads and the roadies started to prepare the stage for the headliners. It was obvious that the audience and especially all the SMF decided to get into the club at the last moment: 80s memorabilia, 30 and something guys, teenagers and  local concert goers were among the audience. So suddenly the club was packed, full of heavy rockers that has become the most interesting concert tribe of Athens. I think that Greece is of the few countries that mainstream pop names are having a really hard time to make a show sold out while the 80s rock bands make almost EVERY show sold out. However I am sure that you can understand why TWISTED SISTER will give 15 shows in 2011 and the 2 of them are in Greece. The loyalty of the 80s mania is really strong here and the 80s bands are superstars here without any Radio / TV promotion at all! Of course this a phenomenon that characterizes the Mediterranean  area, including non European countries as well such as Turkey.

When my clock showed 21:30, the known song from AC / DC, “It’s a long way to the top if you want to rock n roll” was heard through the speakers. This track has been the introduction hymn for TWISTED SISTER and everybody can recognize that this is the time that the bad boys are gonna rock…People were singing, screaming and I could see the figure of Dee Snider dancing behind the scene, cum on dude – come out and play! My wish became a reality and Dee Snider stormed the stage along with the known gang.

Twisted Sister on stage!

Jay Jay French in action

The gang in action

The last time I saw them, they appeared in open air festivals and the sound was not good but now the situation was much better. Twisted Sister has the street like attitude and the value of the songs becomes obvious when the band is playing closer to the audience so as to receive the crowd’s energy and give it back stronger than ever. Dee Snider is screaming and running on stage like it is still the 80s era. Despite of his age, there are new bands that would be jealous of his stage performance because he looks fitness and knows how to treat the audience with shots of shock rock and artistic professionalism. The band explained us how proud do they feel because the original line up is alive while others try to establish a career through talent shows on TV. “We have been together for 35 years but they become superstars in 15 weeks” said the band about the wannabe singers that appear on these shows. Regardless if you strongly agree or disagree with the band’s point of view, you have to admit that this fact is true. Ex

cept Dee, the other members of the band were in great mood too and enjoyed the show: I could see the secret smile on their face when the music was over. The playlist was based in a greatest hits version of the band’s old catalogue: ”I wanna rock”, “We’re not gonna take it”, “The kids are back”, “SMF, “Stay Hungry”, “The pri

ce”, “What you don’t know”, “Come out and play”, “You can’t stop rock n roll”, “The fire still burns”,  “Burn In Hell”, “Whola Lotta Rosie” (AC / DC cover), etc.

The mania of Dee Snider

“Hey you, up there!”

Everybody enjoyed the concert and after the show, many fans  approached the merchandise area to buy memorabilia from this wonderful night. It was a living proof that while we have to follow the music’s route in time so as to explore new bands,  there are moments that oldschool becomes really cool. “Back to the roots” is a hope for the future of good music when new guys find out how professional you can act on stage regardless of the age barriers.

Dee Snider is looking for the most passionate fan in the audience.

A ticket to ride..