"I learned from the old black blues players their calmness when they play where they are relaxed, they make a peak and they kneel the guitar. dynamic and neuro... the way they sing too. They mean it, they believe what they play and they take you with them. This is what I say to musicians who ask me. Believe a little more what is played, love it a little more. Nothing happens without a believer."

Blues Revenge: Urban Blues Reverie

Playing blues for more than 24 years in Greece and managing to stay “alive” is a hard work. Nevertheless, blues itself had to overcome barriers in order to survive through time. Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters and the rest fathers of blues, inspired many musicians around the planet who dealt with this kind of music. That is the case of Andreas Gomozias. He is possibly one of the most important Greek guitar players, as he combines blues with other musical styles as R’n’B, soul, rock and jazz. He has been playing guitar since 1980. He was a member of “Blues Family” and in 1993 he formed the blues band “Drifting Around”. What makes him special is his incredible self-taught musical technique and his communicative power as well as his numerous live performances. He has been associated with many Greek musicians and has opened concerts of Peter Green, Snowy White, Mick Taylor, John Mayall, Nine Below Zero, Nazareth, Paul Lamp, and Eric Sardina. In the summer of 2008 along with Tasos Dritsos on bass and Christos Andrianos on drums he formed Blues Revenge. Nowadays, Blue Revenge is one of the most important and active blues band of Greek blues scene.

(Blues Revenge / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)

Although the band stays close to blues musical tradition, at the same time it also enriches this tradition with elements of other musical forms such as rock, soul and jazz, creating an interesting musical result. Band’s debut album BLUES AIN’T MINOR released in 2012. It is the result of a three-hour live recording in the studio with George Kontrafouris on organ. Blues Revenge is a band that moves from Chicago Blues to West Coast Jump Blues and from British Blues to New York Jazz Blues. In live performances they usually play classic songs of artists like: Robert Johnson, Muddy, Freddie & BB King, Howlin' Wolf, Buddy Guy, Albert King, Peter Green, Eric Clapton, Cream and many more as well as original songs. Their new album titled 'Urban Blues Reverie' will be released soon in 2024. Blues Revenge are: Andreas Gomozias (guitar & vocals), Tasos Dritsos (electric bass), Zafiris Tsinalis (drums) & Nikos Damoulianos (piano & keyboards). New release 'Urban Blues Reverie' recorded at the Electric Zen studio with special guests: George Kontrafouris (organ & fender rhodes), and Dimitris Psaltis (tenor sax).

Interview by Michael Limnios

What do you learn about yourself from the blues and what does the blues mean to you?

Andreas: I have played the guitar for 35 years and I have tried many kinds of music looking always for an identity. It’s only when I play the blues, with the right musicians of course, that I find my real self.

Tasos: The musical structure of blues is quite simple, just three basic chords. And yet, with this musical material, you can express everything. That is what I learn from the blues. That with few and simple means, you can do many things. The blues for me is the musical vehicle through which I can express myself better.

How do you describe Blues Revenge sound and progress, what characterize band’s philosophy?

Tasos: The sound of Blues Revenge is a function of musical experiences that members carry. So it is a mixture of blues enriched with musical influences from Rock and Jazz music. What we are trying to do, is to play openly and with a mood of improvisation, giving great importance to what we call groove, because the groove is the first thing that the listener perceives and it will keep him "tied up" with the band.

How has the Blues (and Music) influenced your views of the world? What music moment changed your life the most?

Andreas: I was influenced from a very early age, around the age of sixteen, mainly by the form of the twelve bar and that this thing contained inside made me feel beautiful, especially the rhythm. thay swing that ahuffle I found I had become busy with many discoveries every day and something new. The first time I heard a lp of BB King Live Blues is King among Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath (which I couldn't stand since then) in a house where we used to get together then with my friends and we listened to records for hours. Then maybe a Dizzy Gillespie record, something by Ray Charles, that was it...everywhere else, they are over the moon.

"The musical structure of blues is quite simple, just three basic chords. And yet, with this musical material, you can express everything. That is what I learn from the blues. That with few and simple means, you can do many things. The blues for me is the musical vehicle through which I can express myself better." (Blues Revenge, one of the most important and active blues band of Greek blues scene: Andreas Gomozias, Tasos Dritsos, Zafiris Tsinalis & Nikos Damoulianos / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)

Currently you’ve one release with Blues Revenge. How did the idea of band come about? What is the story behind band’s name: Blues Revenge?

Andreas: We started around 2005 in a shop owned by Dimitris Panagopoulos, In Vivo in Hrilau Trikoupi with Christos Koutsoyiannis on drums and Fotis Daskalakis on bass Dimitris wanted a name and he liked it among others and we kept it After 2-3 years I met Tasos Dritsos who organized it more carefully and told many people who asked us what Blues Revenge will say The revenge of the lost time! He had tried a few times to form blues bands before, but he had an active participation in the then jazz scene of Athens as a double bassist.

Do you have any interesting stories about the making of the new album Urban Blues Reverie? How do you describe album’s sound and songbook?

Andreas: It started at the beginning of the integration with a call from Michalis Kavadias who suggested us to go and record at the Electric Zen studio. He gave us a lot of courage and he did the best he could in the production. he alone took the initiative and came to play. I will stand in a piece that came out on the spot late in the evening when we were all tired. The saxophone is played by my old friend Dimitris Psaltis. The album sounds clear and strong. I don't know if there is anything better sounding in the blues record label in Greece. If there is, please let me know.

You have many different music projects with Jazz, Swing, Rock, etc. What's the balance in music between technique and soul? What are you doing to keep your music relevant today, to develop it and present it to the new generation?

Andreas: Swing is the music of the future, I don't remember who said that Duke Ellighton I think I see many people here who play blues in a very elaborate way, pre-bored to perfection, trying to play this music correctly .... that's good but also boring, the swing is missing, the shuffle they say you can't program these, it can be a little faster tempo...what are you going to do? will you go with the metronome? you will go with the band! When things are static, like European music, I get tired easily. I really like playing music with soul. I'm more spontaneous and I try to give space to the musicians I play with. I want them to have a good time and feel free to express themselves piece and let's play. I believe Blues is instantaneous, it has to do with who you play with, if you play with people you match musically, the feeling is better.

"I miss the sound of the old productions of 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. I'm really looking for something to intrigue me today. A piece of Buddy Guy titled “Who's Gonna Fill Those Shoes” says it all." (Blues Revenge: Andreas Gomozias on guitar & vocals; Tasos Dritsos on electric bass; Zafiris Tsinalis on drums; Nikos Damoulianos on piano & keyboards / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)

What are some of the most important lessons you have learned from your experience in the music paths?

Andreas: I learned from the old black blues players their calmness when they play where they are relaxed, they make a peak and they kneel the guitar. dynamic and neuro... the way they sing too. They mean it, they believe what they play and they take you with them. This is what I say to musicians who ask me. Believe a little more what is played, love it a little more. Nothing happens without a believer.

Which meetings have been the most important experiences for you? What is the best advice ever given you?

Andreas: My most important experience was when I played support in Peter Green’s concert at Rodon Club with my band, “Drifting Around”. The best advice I was ever given was by Dimitris Poulikakos. We were about to play in a concert together, I was not familiar with his music at all and I had no idea what to play. Then Dimitris told me: "Play what you are!"

Tasos: I always remember a conference I had attended given by a bass player I particularly admire, Ron Carter. Every time I play I have his words in my mind «Whenever I play, I think about what note will make the other musicians notes sound the best. I'm always listening, and at each moment I want to pick a note that will make the other musicians think. I want to push the music to a higher level. "

Are there any memories from Peter Green, Snowy White, and Mick Taylor which you’d like to share with us?

Andreas: I remember Peter Green looking at the Les Paul I had and smile. He had the '59 Les Paul himself that gave him his characteristic sound. As for Mick Taylor, he was a very warm man. We played together at the Hi-Hat Club with “Blues Family”. He had the characteristic tone of Les Paul, as well. Snow White was remarkably kind.

Why did you think that the Blues music continues to generate such a devoted following?

Andreas: Because they feel honored to belong to this "club" of people worldwide.

Tasos: For the reason described above. Someone tends to stay close to what is simple, clear and understandable.

"Swing is the music of the future, I don't remember who said that Duke Ellighton I think I see many people here who play blues in a very elaborate way, pre-bored to perfection, trying to play this music correctly ... that's good but also boring, the swing is missing, the shuffle they say you can't program these, it can be a little faster tempo..." (Andreas Gomozias / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)

Are there any memories from gigs and jams with the band which you’d like to share with us?

Tasos: There are many beautiful moments during gigs, especially when we perform outside Athens. People who love this music are fond of live concerts and respond more freely. For us, strictly as musicians, good moments at gigs mean that we have real interaction between us during performance.

What do you miss most nowadays from the blues of past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

Andreas: I miss the sound of the old productions of 30’s, 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s. I'm really looking for something to intrigue me today. A piece of Buddy Guy titled “Who's Gonna Fill Those Shoes” says it all.

Tasos: I miss this deep, rich and natural sound that bands of the 50s and 60s had as we knew it through recordings. But generally I like to see forward. I have hopes for younger musicians who like to play blues but I fear they might get disappointed by current conditions in Greece that make it very difficult for someone to play music with dignity, especially blues.

Which memory from John Mayall, Nine Below Zero, Nazareth, Paul Lamp, and Eric Sardina makes you smile?

Andreas: John Mayall - I played support to him at Logo Club in Hamburg along with a local band. Great experience. Nine Below Zero - Positive energy, but I constantly think of Dr. Feelgood with great Lee Brilleaux. Perhaps the most honest band I've ever seen live. Nazareth - Old heroic rock!! Eric Sardina - Too much technique!

How has the local blues circuits changed over the years since you first started in music?

Andreas: Many new bands and many talented musicians have arisen. I’ve been playing with “Blues Revenge” for the last ten years. They are probably the best musicians I've ever worked with. They both used to play Jazz and their previous experience makes our sound to stand out.

"I miss this deep, rich and natural sound that bands of the 50s and 60s had as we knew it through recordings. But generally I like to see forward. I have hopes for younger musicians who like to play blues but I fear they might get disappointed by current conditions in Greece that make it very difficult for someone to play music with dignity, especially blues." (Blues Revenge / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)

Make an account of the case of the blues in Greece. Which is the most interesting period in local blues scene?

Andreas: The first Greek blues band was “Blues United Musicians” with Kostas Saridakis, George Panousis, Loukas Gekas and the singer Papaliosas, a great voice. Later, after the formation of “Blues Family” by Zafiris Tsinalis, George Panousis, Stelios Ladopoulos, Dinos Apostolou and Costas Saridakis I was invited by John Monos to join them. There I learned a lot about the style of blues and that was the most important period for me. However, It did not last long.

Why Greeks are so enamored with the blues? What mistakes from local scene would you wish to correct?

Tasos: There is a small community of people in Greece who loves the blues. Generally, I don’t think Greeks love this music, maybe because they don’t know much about it. Allow me to say that I do not believe that there is a Greek blues scene. What we have is the effort of individual people who love this music. In order to have a blues scene, there should be clubs, media that support this music, audience along with musicians and groups and all these function in a manner that leads to musical production. This of course, I would like to change.

What has made you laugh lately and what touched (emotionally) you from local blues circuits?

Tasos: Unfortunately, I do not laugh a lot lately. But what really touches me is that people, who love the blues and especially musicians, do not give up despite the difficult conditions they face daily.

Let’s take a trip with a time machine, so where and why would you really wanna go for a whole day..?

Andreas: I would really like to go in Chess studios in Chicago and Stax in Memphis. Just for the atmosphere.

Blues Revenge - Home

(Blues Revenge from Chicago and West Coast Blues to British Blues and New York Jazz blues: Andreas Gomozias, Tasos Dritsos, Zafiris Tsinalis, Nikos Damoulianos / Photo © by Iliostalahtis Megaliou)