E X O R I S T O I: Press - Interviews

Απόγευμα Τετάρτης 25 Οκτωβρίου 2006. Πλατεία Αριστοτέλους, Θεσσαλονίκη. Ζεστός καφές, αστεία και πειράγματα, υπάρχει γενικά καλή διάθεση στην ατμόσφαιρα. Σε λίγες ώρες οι Exoristoi θα πατήσουν στο σανίδι για την πρώτη τους εμφάνιση στην Θεσσαλονίκη. Ιστορική στιγμή; Δώστε την απάντηση μόνοι σας. Η πορεία τους μέσα στο χρόνο έχει να αναδείξει πολλούς σημαντικούς σταθμούς δισκογραφικούς και μη. Ήταν η πρώτη και μοναδική μπάντα που ανέβασε τόσο ψηλά τον επικό σκληρό ήχο τραγουδώντας στα Ελληνικά. Όσο και να ψάχνω δεν μπορώ να βρω ένα ντεμπούτο τόσο συγκλονιστικό όσο το δικό τους, τουλάχιστον από Ελληνική μπάντα. Επιστρέφουν τώρα με ανανεωμένη σύνθεση, ελαφρώς αλλαγμένο όνομα και αγγλικό στίχο. Στοίχημα με την ίδια τους την ιστορία. Θα το κερδίσουν; Θα δείξει. Πατάω το rec στο κασετοφωνάκι. Οι κύριοι Δημήτρης Κατής (κιθάρα), Χάρης Γερουλάκης (μπάσο), Stewart Cook (φωνητικά), Βάσος Βασιλείου (πλήκτρα) και Masa Mizunuma (τύμπανα), απαντούν στις ερωτήσεις μου.

Οι Εxoristoi επιστρέφουν μετά από αρκετά χρόνια απουσίας από την ενεργό δράση. Ποιος ήταν ο βασικός λόγος που έπαιξε ρόλο ώστε η μπάντα να δραστηριοποιηθεί και πάλι;

Δημήτρης: Όλο αυτό το διάστημα βρισκόμουν στις ΗΠΑ συνθέτοντας μουσική για τηλεόραση και κινηματογράφο. Δεχόμουν συνεχώς γράμματα και emails από οπαδούς οι οποίοι ζητούσαν την επιστροφή της μπάντας. Υπήρχε λοιπόν στο μυαλό μου η ιδέα να κάνω ένα καινούριο ξεκίνημα, ήταν μάλιστα κάτι που το συζητούσαμε αρκετά με τον Χάρη (μπάσο). Έτσι όταν μας έγινε η πρόταση από την Sonic Age Records για την κυκλοφορία ενός δίσκου γύρισα πίσω μαζί με τον φίλο μου Masa (τύμπανα), τον οποίο γνώρισα στην Νέα Υόρκη και κάπως έτσι οι μπάντα ξεκίνησε ξανά.

Γιατί είχες αποφασίσει να βάλεις μια τελεία στην πορεία του σχήματος;

Δημήτρης: Αυτό έγινε γύρω στο 1998, ήθελα απλά να επικεντρωθώ στο προσωπικό μου μουσικό υλικό και όπως καταλαβαίνεις δεν υπήρχε και πολύς ελεύθερος χρόνος για οτιδήποτε άλλο, αυτός ήταν ο βασικός λόγος.

Έχουμε μικρή αλλαγή του ονόματος και στροφή στον Αγγλικό στίχο. Γιατί όλα αυτά;

Δημήτρης: Η απάντηση είναι απλή. Θέλαμε το συγκεκριμένο άλμπουμ να διανεμηθεί σε ολόκληρο τον κόσμο και η μουσική μας να φτάσει παντού, η αλλαγή λοιπόν ήταν επιβεβλημένη.

Χάρης: Όταν στοχεύεις στην παγκόσμια αγορά πρέπει να έχεις και τον κατάλληλο τραγουδιστή, με σωστή προφορά και όλα τα σχετικά. Ο Steward είναι σίγουρα ο σωστός άνθρωπος στη σωστή θέση. Όταν βέβαια γίνουν όλα αυτά που πρέπει θα τον σκοτώσουμε αλλά αυτό είναι μια άλλη ιστορία (πολλά γέλια)!!!

Κατά μια έννοια προετοιμάζεις και την επόμενη ερώτηση μου Χάρη. Δηλαδή με ποια κριτήρια επιλέχθηκαν τα μέλη της μπάντας;

Δημήτρης: Όπως σου είπα πριν συνάντησα τον Masa στην Νέα Υόρκη. Τζαμάραμε μαζί για αρκετό καιρό παρέα με τoν Νίκο Μάσσιο τον πρώτο μπασίστα των Εξόριστων ο οποίος είναι Ελληνοαμερικανός και μένει στην Νέα Υόρκη, με τον Νίκο είμαστε ακόμα φίλοι και μάλιστα παίζουμε μαζί στην Dem Katis Band (σ.σ. μπάντα-project του Δημήτρη Κατή). Αποφασίσαμε λοιπόν εγώ και ο Masa να γυρίσουμε στην Ελλάδα όταν μας έγινε η πρόταση για τον δίσκο. Συνάντησα τον Steward στην Αγγλία και του πρότεινα να συνεργαστούμε μιας και είναι ένας ταλαντούχος τραγουδιστής. Κάπως έτσι ξεκινήσαμε λοιπόν, τα υπόλοιπα είναι ιστορία.

Θα αλλάζετε τίποτα στο τελικό αποτέλεσμα του δίσκου;

Δημήτρης: Δε νομίζω. Περιθώρια για βελτιώσεις υπάρχουν αλλά με βάση τις δυνατότητες που είχαμε στη συγκεκριμένη περίοδο αυτό μπορέσαμε να κάνουμε και είμαστε ικανοποιημένοι.

Βάσος: Μη ξεχνάς ότι οι συνθήκες είναι δύσκολες. Βρεθήκαμε από τόσες διαφορετικές χώρες (Ο Masa από Ιαπωνία, εγώ από Κύπρο, ο Steward από Αγγλία) με σκοπό να κάνουμε αυτόν τον δίσκο. Το αποτέλεσμα λοιπόν με βάση τα συγκεκριμένα δεδομένα ήταν το καλύτερο δυνατό.

Ο δίσκος ηχογραφήθηκε εξολοκλήρου στην Ελλάδα;

Steward: Ναι. Τα τύμπανα γράφτηκαν στο Studio Sierra, ενώ όλα τα υπόλοιπα όργανα και τα φωνητικά έγιναν στο Helikon Mountain Studio του Δημήτρη.

Στίχους ποιος έχει γράψει στα τραγούδια του άλμπουμ;

Δημήτρης: Η Charlotte Hannon έγραψε τους στίχους όλου του άλμπουμ. Είναι μια πολύ καλή Ιιρλανδο-Αμερικανίδα φίλη μου η οποία δουλεύει για μια εταιρία publishing στην Αμερική. Έχουμε συνεργαστεί και στο παρελθόν μιας και είχε αναλάβει το publishing ενός μέρος από το προσωπικό μου υλικό. Η συγκεκριμένη λοιπόν έχει πραγματικά πολύ καλή πένα και ανέλαβε να γράψει στίχους για ολόκληρο το άλμπουμ.

Μάλιστα. Ποιο είναι το feedback του δίσκου μέχρι τώρα; Είστε ευχαριστημένοι;

Δημήτρης: Αυτή τη στιγμή μπορώ να σου μιλήσω όνο για τις ΗΠΑ όπου 10 διαφορετικοί ραδιοφωνικοί σταθμοί παίζουν τη μουσική μας. Ένα από αυτά τα ραδιόφωνα μάλιστα βρίσκεται στην Αλάσκα ενώ κάποιο άλλο στη Florida. Για την Ελλάδα δεν έχω ακόμα κάποιες συγκεκριμένες πληροφορίες.

Steward: Πάντως ακόμα και κακές κριτικές να πάρουμε δεν θα μας πειράξει και τόσο μια και κάνουμε το όλο πράγμα κυρίως για μας, για να περνάμε καλά και να παίζουμε τη μουσική που γουστάρουμε.

Δημήτρης: Πάντως οι μέχρι τώρα καλύτερες κριτικές έρχονται από τις ΗΠΑ.

Αλήθεια τι προσδοκίες έχετε από το συγκεκριμένο άλμπουμ;

Βάσος: Εξαρτάτε πως το βλέπει κανείς. Εμείς θέλαμε να κυκλοφορήσει το CD, να δώσουμε αρκετές συναυλίες και να περάσουμε καλά. Υπάρχουν εκεί έξω άνθρωποι –συμπεριλαμβανομένου και εμένα- που μεγάλωσαν με την μουσική των Εξόριστων, μα τώρα βρισκόμαστε σίγουρα σε μια καινούρια εποχή για τη μπάντα, όπου υπάρχουν καινούρια πρόσωπα και νέο υλικό και περιμένουμε να δούμε πως θα αντιμετωπίσει ο κόσμος την επιστροφή μας. Αν στους οπαδούς αρέσουν τα νέα κομμάτια αυτό θα είναι κάτι θαυμάσιο.

Με τις ζωντανές εμφανίσεις τι γίνετε;

Χάρης: Έχουμε κάνει 2 εμφανίσεις στην Αθήνα. Παίξαμε στις 17 Ιουλίου στην Καλλιθέα, ενώ πρόσφατα στο Underworld Club. Σήμερα παίζουμε στην Θεσσαλονίκη στο Rock Bottom Club, ενώ στις 16 Νοεμβρίου παίζουμε πάλι στην Αθήνα στο Club Το Όνομα Του Ρόδου.

Υπάρχουν προγραμματισμένες εμφανίσεις για το εξωτερικό;

Δημήτρης: Έχουμε κανονίσει κάποιες εμφανίσεις στις ΗΠΑ. Είναι σχεδόν σίγουρο ότι θα παίξουμε στο φεστιβάλ της Atlanta και σε κάποια φεστιβάλ στο Texas. Από εκεί και πέρα θα δούμε.

Το επικό feeling και η δύναμη που βγάζει η μπάντα στο άλμπουμ μεταφέρονται εύκολα στη σκηνή; Ποιο είναι το μυστικό;

Χάρης: Το μυστικό είναι να παίζεις όσο ποιο απλά γίνεται στο studio χωρίς πολλά περιττά effects, να παίζεις δηλαδή όπως ακριβώς θα έπαιζες και σε ένα live ώστε το τελικό στουντιακό αποτέλεσμα που βγαίνει να μεταφέρεται εύκολα και πάνω στη σκηνή.

Με τα μέλη της μπάντας να είναι από διαφορετικές χώρες, οι πρόβες ίσως είναι λίγο δύσκολο κεφάλαιο. Πως τα καταφέρνετε;

Masa: Όποτε υπάρχει ανάγκη για πρόβες ή κάποια προγραμματισμένη ζωντανή εμφάνιση, συγκεντρωνόμαστε. Δεν είναι πρόβλημα αυτό.

Πάμε λίγο πίσω στο χρόνο τώρα. Δημήτρη τι ήταν αυτό που σε ώθησε να ασχοληθείς με την σκληρή μουσική; Κάτι που ίσως δεν γνωρίζουν κάποιοι είναι ότι η πρώτη σου δισκογραφική δουλειά πολύ πριν το ντεμπούτο των Εξόριστων ήταν σε ορχηστικό στυλ, πολύ κοντά στο ύφος των προσωπικών σου κυκλοφοριών που υπογράφεις όλα αυτά τα χρόνια ως Δημήτριος Κατής. Πως και μεταπήδησες λοιπόν από αυτό το στυλ στο καθαρόαιμο Hard Rock / Heavy Metal δημιουργώντας τους Εξόριστους;

Δημήτρης: Η αγάπη μου για το Hard Rock ήταν αυτό που με ώθησε στο να δημιουργήσω και εγώ τέτοια μουσική. Ήθελα πάντα να συνδυάσω το Rock με την κλασική μουσική κάτι που κατάφερα πιστεύω με τους Εξόριστους.

Οι φήμες ότι οι Ritche Blackmore και Carlos Santana υπήρξαν δάσκαλοί σου αληθεύουν;

Δημήτρης: Όχι βέβαια. Για τον Carlos Santana σίγουρα όχι. Ο Ritche Blackmore έχει την ίδια ηλικία με τον πατέρα μου και απλά ήταν γνωστοί από το παρελθόν. Τον έχω γνωρίσει και μου είχε δώσει και αρκετές συμβουλές αλλά φυσικά και δεν υπήρξε δάσκαλος μου πως θα μπορούσε άλλωστε;

Θα μπορούσες να αναφερθείς στην καλύτερη και την χειρότερη στιγμή της καριέρας σου μέχρι τώρα;

Δημήτρης: Κάθε στιγμή είναι σίγουρα ξεχωριστή οπότε είναι δύσκολο να απαντήσω.

Στις αρχές του 90 υπήρξες παρουσιαστής της τηλεοπτικής εκπομπής Metal Mania. Βοήθησε αυτό την μπάντα σου καθόλου;

Δημήτρης: Θα έλεγα πως ναι, γίνονταν αρκετό promotion της μπάντας τότε, αλλά αυτό συνέβαινε πριν 15 χρόνια ξέρεις, από εκεί και πέρα έπρεπε να συνεχίσουμε μόνοι μας…

Τα παλιότερα άλμπουμ των Εξόριστων είναι κάπως ακριβά να βρεθούν στις αυθεντικές εκδόσεις τους. Υπάρχουν σχέδια για επανακυκλοφορία τους;

Δημήτρης: Ναι αυτό είναι το πλάνο στο οποίο δουλεύουμε τώρα. Καταρχήν θα κυκλοφορήσουμε το πρώτο μας άλμπουμ και μετά έπεται και συνέχεια. Στις επανακυκλοφορίες θα βάλουμε και bonus τραγούδια τα οποία δεν έχουν κυκλοφορήσει μέχρι στιγμής..

Τελειώνοντας θέλω να κάνω μια ερώτηση που με καίει εδώ και χρόνια. Τι απέγινε ο τραγουδιστής του πρώτου σας άλμπουμ; Κατά τη γνώμη μου είναι μια από τις καλύτερες φωνές που έχουν ακουστεί σε Ελληνική –και όχι μόνο- Metal μπάντα, με φοβερή εκφραστικότητα και έκταση….

Δημήτρης: Δουλεύει πλέον ως οδηγός ταξί. Είναι πράγματι θαυμάσια φωνή και θαυμάσιος μουσικός. Συνεχίζει να τραγουδά μα μόνο για προσωπική του ευχαρίστηση πλέον. Είμαστε ακόμα σε επαφή, μου τηλεφωνεί που και που για να μάθει νέα της μπάντας.

Μάλιστα. Κάπου εδώ τελειώνουμε. Σας ευχαριστώ πολύ όλους.

Εμείς ευχαριστούμε.

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All of us have felt, at times, a strong need to turn back the hands of time and change something or relive one pleasant experience of the past. In my thoughts, there is always this picture of the summer of 1990, when I was listening to my favorite metal tapes and my good friend, Kostas “Boston” approached and asked me if I was aware of a group called “Exoristoi”. 15 years have passed by, Exoristoi had disbanded and from what I hear Kostas is now married with 2-3 children. The founder and main songwriter of Exoristoi, Dimitris Katis, is still active, although mostly in other musical paths, and Rockpages tracked him down and had a very pleasant conversation. Interview: Sakis Nikas

Rockpages.gr: I believe that your career can be divided in two parts. The first one starts at the year 1987, when the album “Dorieis” was released and ends with the release of 1993’s “Lytrotis”, and the second one includes your work on pure instrumental/soundtrack paths after the disbanding of “Exoristoi”. Do you agree?

Demetrios Katis: Basically, yes. Although I would personally stress out a little bit the first part up to the year 1998, when Exoristoi released their last album, “H genia ton ariston”. It is a very rare and hard-to-find album with Spyros Papadopoulos on the lead vocals and was released by EMI. In between, a collection with tracks from Exoristoi and an instrumental album were out in the market…

Rockpages.gr: You are talking about 1996’s “Night on the murs”, with the excellent instrumental rendition of “Epoxi gia hrwes”.

Demetrios Katis: Did you like it?

Rockpages.gr: Very much. So, in a general framework you agree with that career-division?

Demetrios Katis: Yes, I think so. My career starts in 1987 and continues up to now, although in a different level. After Exoristoi, I wanted to work on the soundtrack/film music, and the first step in this direction was the release of “Pyrini Poreia” in 2000. As a matter of fact, this record was released this year in the English language, with some different songs and the participation of the tenor of the Royal Opera of London, James Edwards. The narration was handled by Miramax Films’ John Amaki. In answer to your question, I would, therefore, agree! (laughs)

Rockpages.gr: Before, we get to the Exoristoi chapter, would you like to tell us how you got into this soundtrack/film music thing? Was it something that you had inside you from the beginning?

Demetrios Katis: It was something that I wanted to do right from the start. If you notice the “Dorieis” album, you’ll see that this is rock record, but also a very polished instrumental rock record indeed! I wanted to move slowly but steadily in the soundtrack direction, but don’t forget that I was also a big fan of the rock music. I must underline though that the type of rock music that I played had various, scattered elements of soundtrack/epic film music.

Rockpages.gr: I was about to mention that. This is pretty obvious in “Pyrini Poreia”, where you had done an instrumental rendition of various songs from your first album. What was the concept behind this move and do you have a preferable record out of the two?

Demetrios Katis: I like them both, to tell you the truth. It depends in the mood and in the business purposes! Don’t forget, that I must also make a living. (laughs)

Rockpages.gr: Tell us about the period in Greece, when you first started with Exoristoi.

Demetrios Katis: It all started with an idea that I had of starting a metal band with Greek lyrics. Manos Xydous (EMI) agreed with this notion and Exoristoi was born as a band that would play heavy rock with Greek lyrics and that would carry all the epic elements of the “Dorieis” record.

Rockpages.gr: Due to the fact that I don’t have that record, was there something in there that found its way later on the first Exoristoi record?

Demetrios Katis: I think that there was a different version of “Doxa kai Timh”. In the “Dorieis” album, this track was more of an instrumental.

Rockpages.gr: What made you form Exoristoi? Was it clearly your decision?

Demetrios Katis: I don’t know if you are aware of Nikos Massios…

Rockpages.gr: The guy that plays bass on the first Exoristoi album. We are trying to reach him, too…

Demetrios Katis: He, now, lives permanently in USA. I will give you his e-mail address. Anyway, Nikos was the second member of Exoristoi. We went at the same tuition center in Agia Paraskeyi. We had a common class (mathematics) and we met at that class-hour. Nikos is Greek-American and we are actually working again together in a new project of ours…

Rockpages.gr: Shall we talk about that later on..?

Demetrios Katis: Yes, you are right. I met with Nikos in 1984 and we used to play in various school parties. Basilis Kipouros was with us.

Rockpages.gr: You played your own material or did you do some covers, too?

Demetrios Katis: With the exception of Skynyrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama”, which we all liked pretty much, we played solely our own material. Nikos was very much into the epic music, and he was the one that got me acquainted with Manowar.

Rockpages.gr: A few years later, you had Joey De Maio as a guest in your TV show.

Demetrios Katis: Wow, you bring back to me some memories! He was such a difficult character to deal with…a male diva and a very capricious one, I must add.

Rockpages.gr: I had watched that episode and you seemed to have a very enjoyable time with him.

Demetrios Katis: What could I do? I had to tape an interview with him. I was supposed to look good! (laughs) We lost some money for bringing him in Greece. The most easy-going character of all was Steve Harris. A real gentleman, always serious and never difficult to approach him...

Rockpages.gr: Let’s go back to Exoristoi. What happened with Xristos Avramis?

Demetrios Katis: I haven’t seen him in years. I think he now drives a cab. The last time that I saw him was right after the completion of “Dekaennia” record. He wanted to do a solo career and he approached Manos Xydous for that reason. He was so much taken aback that he called me and he wondered if he crazy or what? At the end of the end, nothing came out…

Rockpages.gr: I imagine that you haven’t seen the rest of the “gang” in along time, too…

Demetrios Katis: With the exception of Nikos Massios, as I told you, I haven’t seen the rest of them. I am talking about that first line-up. Now, that I think about it, I played with Takis Kyriazis (keyboards) in Serbia in 1994. I keep very much in touch with the latter line-up of Exoristoi, such as Haris Geroulakis (bass on 1998’s Genia twn aristwn). Haris and I made the production of the forthcoming c.d.

Rockpages.gr: This c.d. is going to be distributed in the music stores or will it be a product that could only be purchased via your website?

Demetrios Katis: It will first come out only in USA, through an American label.

Rockpages.gr: Do you have a title for it?

Demetrios Katis: Nothing is definite, yet. We are now talking with the label for that matter. But, I think it will be imported here in Greece.

Rockpages.gr: Looking back, did you expect to achieve the commercial success with the song “Kanw mia eyxh”?

Demetrios Katis: Not at all! I was expecting to have a hit-single with “Synora pantou”. Manos Xydous, having the ear of a producer, invested on the song and guess what…he was right! It was a song that appealed to a wider audience and it is worth mentioning the fact that I wrote it in my piano.

Rockpages.gr: “Doxa kai Timi” was, though, the song that touched the chords of the metal audience.

Demetrios Katis: Exactly! That first record is considered by many to be a real classic.

Rockpages.gr: And quite rightfully, I must add…

Demetrios Katis: I receive numerous e-mails from all over the world, congratulating me on that album and especially for “Kano mia efhi”. Even Dytikes Synoikies asked me to give them permission to use that song in their new album, which I did, of course. This version is actually more of a pop version.

Rockpages.gr: I will stick with the first one. Let’s go to the TV chapter. What’s the story? How did you wind up there?

Demetrios Katis: I just wanted to combine the picture with the music. Nothing more or less…

Rockpages.gr: Right, but who was the link in getting you n touch with the national television? EMI?

Demetrios Katis: No, EMI didn’t help me at all! On the contrary, I helped EMI with the release of “Classic Metal Ballads”, which sold more than 60000 copies. I promoted this album through my TV show, and the number of copies that were sold was extraordinary, given the fact that it came from the hard rock music.

Rockpages.gr: Do I sense bitterness?

Demetrios Katis: I wouldn’t call it bitterness. The most important thing is that I kept exclusively all the legal rights of my songs, and they can’t touch them!

Rockpages.gr: Tell us about the concert in Serbia.

Demetrios Katis: There was this Serbian reporter, who somehow got in touch with me and made us an offer to play in Serbia along with bands from all over Europe. He looked upon us and he regarded us to be the most representative Greek metal group at that time. It was a pretty good experience and we played in front of thousands of spectators.

Rockpages.gr: Yeah, I remember seeing some footage of that trip, with you and Yiannis Koutouvos on the bus.

Demetrios Katis: Right. Yiannis was with us. I haven’t seen him since that trip.

Rockpages.gr: And then you decided to release “Night on the murs”. How come you went with the idea of recording an instrumental album, under your name, while you were a member of Exoristoi?

Demetrios Katis: I saw it as a break from “Lytrwths” and “Genia twn aristwn”. Harvest EMI grabbed the chance and bet on the fact that I came from a rock background, something that would surely push the sales for a record like this.

Rockpages.gr: Which are the highlights of your career? Maybe, the collaboration with your father…?

Demetrios Katis: Definitely! We worked together again for the English version of “Pyrini Poreia”. Also, a great thrill was the first Exoristoi album and the subsequent efforts of mine on the film music productions.

Rockpages.gr: Do all these collaborations with the Hollywood producers seem as a personal fit?

Demetrios Katis: I really think so.

Rockpages.gr: Does it bother you that this appreciation came from abroad and not from your home land?

Demetrios Katis: It was something that I expected, due to the particular character of the Greek citizens. Take for example the period of Exoristoi, where everyone envied the band success. The only authentic people were those who bought the album back then, like you, and still are into the music of Exoristoi. We were a love or hate band and there wasn’t an in between area. That’s why I turned to America, where every worthy person deserves a shot in that thing called success. After all, the consuming population was bigger than the one in Greece. So…

Rockpages.gr: To be ignored by the media is something quite common. To receive, though, negative reviews right from the start is another thing that makes you wonder what the motive behind them was.

Demetrios Katis: Envy and Jealousy are the key words in answer to your question. I may be wrong, but I am entitled of my opinion.

Rockpages.gr: All those line-up changes in the Exoristoi camp were made in a friendly atmosphere?

Demetrios Katis: Exoristoi was something like the old Istanbul or the current New York City. We were the Promised Land. (laughs) Everyone with a good idea or two had a chance of entering the band.

Rockpages.gr: Why didn’t you retain that first line-up, which it is considered to be the most representative of all?

Demetrios Katis: Because that line-up wasn’t professional at all! Nikos Massios went to USA, Panos Vasilopoulos was sent by his father to Edinburgh for studies, others went to the army and I was making my living through my articles in the newspaper. Nobody made money out of Exoristoi.

Rockpages.gr: Apostolos Kaklamanis and Mr. Moutsopoulos honored you for your contribution in the Arts and Culture. Was it something that you expected?

Demetrios Katis: It was a big time for me. Mr. Moutsopoulos is considered to be the greatest modern Greek philosopher. So you can imagine how I felt…

Rockpages.gr: Lots of people are not aware of your career after Exoristoi. Would you like to share the details with us?

Demetrios Katis: By all means! 2000 was the year of the release of “Pyrini Poreia”, an instrumental album with narration by the great Greek actor Christos Tsagas and words-text by my father. Then, I move to the film music and collaborate with a film publishing production company that is responsible for promoting my work on Film people and executives in general. This sonic opus is being released either on c.d. format or through the so called library music, exclusively for industry people. In 2002 the first c.d. from library music is released through that “internal” circuit and in 2004 I released two more c.d. in the same way, too.

Rockpages.gr: What’s the status of Demetris Katis in 2005?

Demetrios Katis: Two things, actually…The film by Marl Lester, in which I will provide the soundtrack music and a new band that I started with Nikos, called Dem Katis. We will play epic metal with Stelios Karpathakis on lead vocals and probably Michalis Kontogiwrghs on rhythm guitar. Also, I have some TV series on the works for providing the music on them.

Rockpages.gr: Is Dem Katis a one-off project?

Demetrios Katis: Definitely not! We want to promote the album with a tour and hope to have a distribution label in Europe.

Rockpages.gr: Do you keep in pace with the entire metal/rock Greek scene?

Demetrios Katis: Not at all! I don’t think that there are viable Greek bands nowadays. Also, I am not a fan of all that black/death wave, so I don’t see anything interesting from the current Greek metal scene.

Rockpages.gr: Have you ruled out the possibility of making a comeback in Greece?

Demetrios Katis: I don’t rule out anything. It all depends on the offers.

Rockpages.gr: Demetris, thank you very much for the interview. I hope that we will talk again with the release of your new epic album.

Demetrios Katis: We will definitely do so. I want to thank Rockpages for giving me the chance to share some of my thoughts with you. Take care.

Exoristoi Crazy Night - An interview back in the 90's
Metal Hammer Heavy Metal Magazine
Exoristoi - Crazy Night

The well known guitar player Demetrios Katis comes back with two new releases: "The Collection" where the most known
songs of Exoristoi are included and the "Night on the Murs" an instrumental album personally composed, arranged and
performed. The reasons for the
simultaneous releases are given to an on the scene Metal Hammer reporter straight from the Blackmore's disciple himself.




MH. Can you give me information about your new releases and what are your feelings about it?

DEM. Look, the first album I mean the instrumental one was released last summer, we did not push it, it was just released for personal reasons and it was something that I had in mind since I was a kid, it was just like the very first album "Dorians, Return to Earth" by Polydor, this one is released by EMI. Now as regards "the collection of Exoristoi", it contains the most favorite songs of the band the way they are loved by our fans.

MH. Lets get started with the instrumental, what does "Night on the Murs" mean and what that means to you to compose
something different than heavy metal music?

DEM. Night on the Walls, I started my studies of classical music and I am influenced by the symphonic/orchestral music. Even
Exoristoi though we are playing metal the general feeling is an epic classical even more medieval. The collection, it's a heavy
rock record mixed with the sound of the Byzantine, Greek and medieval flavour. We're an Epic Band, think epic and play epic.

MH. What do you believe the final result is that is achieved, was that the same as you had in mind? I mean the "Night on the
Murs".

DEM. Oh yes, I feel the pleasure, I did it all by myself, composing, arranging, performing, recording and mixing since to bring
an 80 people orchestra in was a bit difficult. I spent all summer in my studio doing that work, I lost vacation but I enjoyed it.

MH. Besides your personal ambition is there anything more that you want to satisfy with that release?

DEM. Let me tell you something, it's not a matter of personal ambition, it is just that I am close to that music and it always
affects me, perhaps this album has electric guitars replaced by string sections but that does not mean anything bad, it is still rock
music my friend, rock is not made by guitars and drums, it's made by soul and heart, that's for sure.

MH. Will you repeat that enterprise in the future?

DEM. Damn I will! But this time with full orchestra.

MH. This attempt with the classic orchestra is a kind of unfulfilled dream of expanding yourself perhaps to some other music
sphere?

DEM. Dreams are always there, if we run out of dreams we're dead. The future is dreamed and the dream is present.

MH. And is this the first step? I see that some music points from Exoristoi have transformed into orchestral movements.

DEM. Yes exactly, as I told you before, its rock music either orchestral/classic or heavy metal, my feeling is epic so the music,
no matter what label you want to put it on.

MH. In our interview about 2 years ago you had told that a CD bootleg with 5-6 songs that have been recorded under strange
circumstances would have been released. You meant this specific album or something else?

DEM. Nope, it is not yet released, it will be a pure hard/heavy rock record containing pieces that had been written under extreme
pressure with the guys of the initial form of Exoristoi.

MH. Is it going to be released to the public?

DEM. Well it is not my business to judge, I rely on the label.

MH. Now what is it the situation with Exoristoi right now, is the band the same just like in our last
interview or are there any changes in the form?

DEM. Just after our tour in Southern Europe there is a newly formed group.

MH. Why did you release "The Collection" just 2
years after the "Live in S. Europe" was released, is it a lack of ideas?

DEM. Absolutely not! We're the only Rock - Metal band in Greece that have earned a platinum record
and at the same time there is a lack of records in the market, our fans desperately wanted to find all their Exoristoi favorite songs in one disc, not a live, but an
original recording and that's why we did "The
Collection", you got it?

MH. Why did you not include some bonus tracks, what about those guys who have all records?

DEM. Those guys who have all the records perhaps won't buy it but those who don't they will. There are young people of 14, 15 & 16 who have heard the name of Exoristoi but never heard the music and for those and only those this collection is made for!

MH. What is your future direction?

DEM. A brand new CD will be prepared soon, we are already in the studio, recording strong brand new stuff. In the winter
you're gonna get it loud and clear!

MH. What about concerts?

DEM. All in time, we'll present the schedule soon.

MH. What do you think of Heavy Metal in our current time?

DEM. All things now are mixed, it's not a pure thing anymore, we're trying to keep it pure, but on the other hand it's good to
mix quality parts like classic music or musical things from the 70's, I think it's gonna be a returning wave to the old and original.

MH. Who would you wish to play with on stage?

DEM. Ronnie James Dio, Ritchie Blackmore and Charlie Daniels.

MH. What turns you on? Every time on the end of a concert you smash & crash a guitar why?

DEM. Anything that happens in nature affects my emotions. You, I mean you, you can only hear the birds on a tree singing but I
cry with pleasure hearing them singing and a thousand images cross my mind, that turns me on mate. As for the breaking guitar
jam you're talking about, it's a tribute to the masters.

MH. Which music do you consider as ideal for battle?

DEM. In a battle? John Williams.

MH. Which music would you consider ideal to making love?

DEM. Ohh you made it tough now ha, ha, ha.., I don't know, Jean Michel Jarre?

MH. What is that band which makes you so sick that you'd never play with them on stage?

DEM. I don't know, perhaps those kind playing hip hop / metal.

MH. What mistakes do you consider as damnable in your career?

DEM. None.