Devil's Gate Music
Related Articles
The Same River is a rock band from Athens, Greece, founded by Diamond Pr (vocals, guitars, synths) and Dimitris Georgopoulos (bass) in August of 2019. After two months, Fivos Katsifloros (drums) and Theodore Ntilgeris (guitars) joined the band. Debut EP ‘Live At The Blackbox’ has just been released, and the band gave us the background on The Same River as well as talking about their own individual influences.
What are the origins of the band, how long have you been playing together?
Diamond: We have been a band for almost a year, but some of us, we’ve been playing music together in the past. That’s the main reason why we were able to compose songs and communicate as a group, faster than we expected. The origins and our vision at the same time, is the combination of our favorite tunes. Obviously a guitar oriented style with blues, rock and psychedelic elements.
How did you feel performing your first gig? And how was it?!
Diamond: As I say, we are a Covid-19 band. Our first gig ever, was the recordings of our EP. That’s why we performed live in the studio. We didn’t have any gigs planned, so we had to deliver songs to get booked (as a new band) and when we were done and everything seemed to work perfectly for us, all hell broke loose… Nevertheless we enjoyed the experience and I can say now, these recordings helped us more than I ever imagined cause somehow we get the attention of the industry.
What should people expect when they check the band out? How would you describe yourself?
Diamond: Hmm… I think we are people of our time, with love for sounds and ideas from other eras, that are still relevant. Western civilisation is in a huge crisis (ethically, politically and economically). It’s something that affects all of us and at some point you have to reconsider what’s going wrong. The Same River is a vessel of expression, so for us is the golden chariot that brings the Sun (philosophically speaking). If you have to describe it somehow, for me is a combination of two great periods of our civilisation: the rock music and all the defiance and the rebellion that comes with it, blended with the questioning and the eternal seeking of truth (if any), coming from the philosophical Greek heritage.
Your debut EP; ‘Live At The Blackbox’, has just been released, how did it feel recording your debut? Was it important to the band that it was recorded live?
Diamond: We had a great time, the recordings and the mixing procedure was really tricky, ’cause we had one day in the studio for both. So we used a really old technique, originated back in the 50’s; our sound engineer was mixing real time on the soundboard, while we were playing the songs live. It was important for us to show to the audience our real face, with no edits and production tricks and we are glad that we did it. It’s a statement for us. A big neon sign “This is what you get”… Hahaha!
The first official video by the band has also just been released, for the track ‘The Same River’, was the studio footage shot at the same time as the EP was being recorded?
Diamond: Yes, it’s the original footage from the recordings. We had the idea to film the procedure, and the takes were so good that we decided to release all the songs in a video format. The next few days we’ll release the second song called “After Life”.
How does it work between Diamond and Theodore when it comes to the guitar parts? Who plays what?
Theodore: When it comes to the guitar parts, let me say that we have a perfect match here, regarding frequencies and positioning. Mostly, I play the main melodies/solos, fingerstyle and slides. On the other hand Diamond is responsible for the solid/fuzzy guitars and at the same time the psychedelic synths sounds and effects (sometimes it feels like we have an extra member in the band)!
Dimitris plays a gorgeous Rickenbacker Bass in the video for ‘The Same River’, with the exception of Paul McCartney’s Hofner, is there a more iconic bass than the Rickenbacker?
Dimitris: Can’t agree more! You can say there’s a “holy trinity” for rock bass guitar; Ricky, Hofner and Precision. Three very different sounds with distinctive impact on the arrangement of a song. My weapon of choice for the band is the Rickenbacker, but I will use whatever works better with our songs.
Fivos, at times you play like a young Bill Ward, who is your biggest influence?
Fivos: Thank you very much! It’s an honour! Of course the early Sabbath albums have a huge impact on my playing style, but I think my all time favourite is John Bonham.
The new music scene is bursting at the seams with fresh talent, in what ways do you feel that a band has to stand out from the others trying to build a name?
Diamond: When it comes to music and especially in genres that don’t have the full attention of the industry (in terms of profit), there are three things that matter; commitment, hard work and honesty. The first two are the keys for every band to start building a relationship with the people who are involved. The third one is the crucial piece of the puzzle because it’s fully related with the fans. If you are not honest with yourself and you don’t play music that you like, there’s no way to convince the listener that your songs matter. So, there’s no luck here, only work…
What band out there at the minute do you feel that you would be best suited to open for?
Diamond: I don’t believe that’s 100 percent suited, but The Black Angels are the first band that came to my mind.
Who do you feel is the next band to break out?
Diamond: Hmm.. I’m not a huge fan, but the potential of this band is gigantic… I will choose Idles.
What are your first musical memories? And what was the lightbulb moment that made you go “I want to do that”?
Diamond: That bass riff from Stranglers “Nice ‘n Sleazy”. It was the first song, from the first compilation tape my Dad ever gave to me. I was 5 years old I think. “That moment” was the “Reunion”. The first Black Sabbath record I ever bought and I was stunned with the energy of this particular live album. Still wanna achieve that… hahahahaha!
Dimitris: The first musical memories I remember are the times I was listening to Deep Purple’s “Made in Japan” in my father’s car. My lightbulb moment was surely my first Motörhead gig. When I saw Lemmy, I said to myself that’s what I want to do in my life.
Theodore: My first musical memory was actually from my brother! He had his first guitar jam with a friend at home. I was mostly painting those old days (12-13 years old) and when I heard the sound of the guitar, I felt like I’d found the sound that was missing to complete my own imaginary world creation. Good times.
Fivos: My first musical memory is my father listening to “Pink Floyd” and “Led Zeppelin” and me sitting in front of the speakers. I think the lightbulb moment was the first time I listened to the “Socrates-Drunk the Conium” and especially the song “Mountains”!
What was the last gig that you attended as a fan?
Diamond: Waterboys.
Dimitris: If I can recall well, the last gig I attended was a Boy Harsher show in Athens.
Theodore: Last gig attended was Raketkanon, in a small live stage in Athens. Amazing vibes and great show!
Fivos: The last gig I attended was a hip hop act with a full band playing in the Anglican church and it was sensational! The name of the artist is Ταφ Λάθος (Taf lathos).
The album that you have in your album collection/spotify playlist that would surprise most people?
Diamond: A compilation with rare “american” recordings from the 30’s with traditional Greek folk songs, strangely released by Jack White’s Third Man Records.
Dimitris: In my vinyl collection I have “Η τελευταία μου ζαριά” (My last gamble) by Spyros Zagoraios, a Greek folk artist from Athens.
Theodore: Endless Light and the band O’Brother.
Fivos: “Cut the Cake” by Average White band.
What are your plans for the remainder of 2020? How are things in Athens now?
Diamond: Strangely, this year is still productive for The Same River. Right now we are working on new songs and we will enter the studio in July to record our first full length album. We have an agreement with a label overseas, but I can’t tell more details at the moment. Hopefully, if everything goes well with the pandemic, we will book some shows for the autumn/winter of 2020. As for the things here, I can describe them as weird… the post quarantine life in Athens brought to surface many unsolved social and economical problems (post traumatic stress, poverty, unemployment) that are not people’s fault. I can speak for hours about this, but the conclusion is one; the EU has to make some decisions for her people and not for the banks.
How active are you on social media and where can people connect with you?
Diamond: At the moment you can find us at the most major social platforms (Facebook here). We are replying to everyone, so feel free to send us messages, we love to interact with people who appreciate our music.
