ή αλλιώς “ο κλασσικός ο μαλάκας ο έλληνας”
Αντιγράφω τις σκέψεις του Daniel Gildenlow από την επισκεψή του στην Ελλάδα για το πάρτι του Metal Hammer.
What happened in Athens was?
So, I calmed Johanna down before leaving, saying that surely my hotel would be far from the riot areas. Turns out my hotel is just across the street from the university; when I arrive at 3:00 in the night I am greeted by sidewalks covered with broken glass, military police standing on guard with machine guns of some sort, and a big military bus with plexi shields piled against it. Very comforting indeed.
When I woke up the next morning and went for a late breakfast I noticed that the corner house of the same block as my hotel was completely burned out. Just like in South America, lots of people I talked to voiced that the police, rather than representing a reassuring protection, was generally looked upon as the opposition. Normally this clash between people and police would be a sure sign of deeper structural corruption in the social machinery, but I will let that go unsaid without knowing more about Greece? political context.
I met a lot of nice people, both before the actual party and during it, and enjoyed talking to Johan from Tiamat. I have never heard so much double bass drumming in one single night in all my life, and I hope I never have to ever again. I think the softest music played in four hours was some early King Diamond?
Then it was my turn. Everything was running pretty late so the party was already starting to empty - as it turned out, my setlist would help that process.
:o
Dani the DJ:
- Jag Har Aldrig Sett En Orm Djurens Brevlada 2. The Pretender Foo Fighters 3. Charlie Big Potato Skunk Anansi 4. Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite / I Want You (She?s So Heavy) The Beatles 5. The Man I Used to Be Jellyfish 6. They Call Me Trinity They Call Me Trinity (soundtrack) 7. Mutter Rammstein 8. Killer Queen Queen 9. Collision Faith No More 10. Carillion Ennio Morricone 11. Indifference Pearl Jam 12. Happiness is a Warm Gun The Beatles 13. Swimming Song Kate & Anna McGarrigle 14. The Man from Utopia Meets Mary Lou Frank Zappa 15. Revenge of Sleeping Beauty Dalbello 16. Hurt Johnny Cash 17. Boiler Limp Bizkit 18. L?Estasi Dell ?Oro (The Ecstasy of Gold) Ennio Morricone
I had this vision that as long as the music is really good, it will be appreciated across genre borders. I had to scrap that idea this night once and for all when, in the middle of the divine Indifference by Pearl Jam, a weird bearded little dude in leather and thick glasses stood in front of the stage waving almost in panic with his hands like one would at swarms of mosquitoes at a family camping gone terribly wrong. I walked to the edge of the stage and kindly asked what I could do for him. Language barriers was somewhat an issue, but it all became clear when I asked him if he didn?t like the music. He then yelled out in a high pitched voice: ?It?s not metal!?, as if it was not even an issue of good and bad.
So, I had this idea that I would enter this ocean of black T-shirts and offer something different, something less boring and conform. Yeah, right.
So, what do I do next time I?m asked to do a DJ set? Bend to the will of the crowd? Play what everyone else plays? But then, why would they need me in the first place? That?s just not how I?m wired. I am obsessed with twisting and turning everything, trying different angles, seeking new ways. That?s what I do - I take anything presented to me and turn it around to see what it looks like from the other side.
But isn?t that just normal and necessary in human nature? If someone says you can only use red colors, wouldn?t you instantly go ?But how about a reddish kind of orange?? Or if someone says he only likes blue: ?Listen, I?ll just briefly show you a blueish shade of purple that I really like, no pressure, just have a short look???
Anyway, I enjoyed my trip to Greece, and I have at least had some very nice feedback on my setlist in retrospective. After the party I followed some newfound friends in and around the Metal Hammer organization to another club, where the music was superb. Uncompromising, fresh, powerful, emotional and aggressive. All components that music must have to touch me. All components that Venom lack.
Wet kisses,
Daniel
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