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Band page - Diphtheria
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Band Profile
What is your name and your current position in the band?
Phivos Papadopoulos, guitar, founding member
How would you categorize the style of the band? And did you ever consider or try playing other styles of music than the one(s) you are playing now?
Our style is melodic heavy metal with elements of power and a touch of doom here and there. When we first started out we were a death metal outfit but that didn't last long!
What is your latest album and why should people buy it?
Our latest album is actually our debut album after 15 years of being around! It's titled "To Wait for Fire" and it's a special release in lots of ways, sentimental and otherwise. First of all it's limited to 1000 numbered copies, it also includes a tiny little surprise inside (related to the album's title) which people seem to love when they see! Of course the album contains great music that's full of passion and emotion and is as pure as you can get. Don't take our word for it but have a look at some of the great reviews and ratings the album's been getting!
Tell us about the history of the band. More specifically, when was the band formed, how did you meet, and have there been any particular highlights or low points in your career, any crucial events that have taken you where you are today?
The band was started out by me and Stavros (drums) back in 1993. We were high school classmates and after trying a few rehearsals just the two of us we soon discovered guitar wiz Socrates who happened to live on the same apartment complex as Stavros. To make things even more simple, our vocalist is Socrates' brother! So there you have it basically! Some of our most memorable highlights have been the recording and promotion of our "Promo '95" and also our selection and participation on "Children of the Damned - A Tribute to Iron Maiden" in 1999 by Italian label Adrenaline Records. Of course the release of our album a few months ago in early 2008 after all this time is way up there!
Was there ever a time when you wondered if your band would remain just a local outfit and never make it in the industry?
Oh we never had thoughts or dreams about making it big. We are all quite realistic and down to earth people. We never started this thinking that we'll be huge and conquer the world. We just wanted to have a good time and write some good music and share it with others. As we sometimes say, it's not about changing the world but making a difference to one person is enough.
Can you share with us one or two of your favourite moments with the band?
Definitely when we were the guests at 'Rock Line' (a popular radio show on national radio) back in '99 to celebrate the release of the tribute to Iron Maiden album with the show being webcast live and having a chat room setup, calling most of the other bands who were on the tribute and talking to them live on air. The show exceeded its normal running time of two hours to something like over three and there was plenty of beer flowing around!
How is the writing process in the band?
There's no standard writing process. It could work either way. Maybe there's a tune I'm working on and then I'll meet with the Socrates to fine tune it and then try to adapt it on some lyrics that are already available. Other times we have the lyrics and try to come up with the music depending on the theme. Nicholas (vocals) is also great at composing songs. He gets a melody in his head, sings it out to us and the music is basically there!
What brought you on the path to becoming a musician? Did you ever consider or take any other paths through life besides music?
I grew up in a music environment, my mum was one of the first radio producers in Cyprus and our house was always filled with records of all kinds of music from all over the world and at an early age I started taking classical guitar lessons. Music has always been and will always be with me. Having said that, I guess you could say that I have taken "additional" paths in life; I've studied advertising and communication arts and that's what I do as a day job. Like I said before however, music is always there in everything I do.
Do you have any idols? If yes, who?
From the world of metal? I wouldn't exactly call them "idols" but yes, I do admire Iron Maiden tremendously and then I could start listing countless others.
Do you have any regrets looking back at your career? For example any songs or even full albums that you regret recording? If so, what made you regret it?
Absolutely no regrets.
Are there particular songs in your catalogue that the fans love but you're not particular fond of yourself?
I love each and every one of our songs and of course the fans might not like all of them but it's always great to see the variety in tastes. Some fans like one song while others don't like it and prefer another one.
How important do you rate the lyrical side of your albums?
Anyone who listens (or reads) our lyrics can see that we do consider lyrics equally important and yes, lyrics are an integral part of an album as they work together with the music in order to better communicate emotions and feelings or messages which people are always welcome to interpret any way they want, accept or reject.
What do you think about the state of the music industry today?
Not that good unfortunately. It has turned into this huge money-making machine and it seems to be missing the basic essence. Not to be misunderstood, this mostly applies to all the big companies. There are still of course tons of exceptions, with a lot of truly awesome bands and good, solid labels who are honest and who are first and foremost doing it for themselves and their fans. It goes without saying that we have huge respect for them and fully support them!
What do you think is the best way to fight music piracy?
It's very hard to fight it, if possible at all. The only way is to concentrate on some truly special "physical" releases (unusual packaging, bonus tracks, extra content, etc, etc) keeping always in mind one very important factor however - great pricing! If album prices remain high then music piracy will also remain high. Labels should find a way to cut down their costs and keep their prices low.
Do you have a life philosophy? If yes, what is it?
Live every moment to the fullest, as if it's your last, don't take crap from anyone and respect those around you.
What do you like to spend your time with besides music?
Reading, hanging out with friends and family, watching movies and some of the latest TV shows and maybe video games.
What's the craziest thing that has ever happened on a tour?
Moments before a show back in '96, we discovered that one of the guitar amps was busted. We couldn't waste much time because Nicholas had to catch a plane on that same night so the support band had to go onstage and settle for one guitar amp (they too had two guitarists) while we had someone rush to get another amp. When it was our time to hit the stage, halfway through our second song one of my strings broke and the replacement guitar was locked in its case with the guy having the key dancing his ass off in a nearby club with some chicks! When finally plugging in the replacement guitar all settings somehow got messed up and we had no time to set up properly so most of the rest of our set consisted of an annoying feedback noise. To conclude that fine evening, a couple songs before the end, the drum pedal broke. But hey, we still had a fantastic time and so did the fans who attended!
You're heading off to live on a deserted island for a couple of years with your portable entertainment system... Which albums, movies or books would you bring? (Max. 3 of each)
Albums:
Iron Maiden - Seventh Son of a Seventh Son
Manowar - Kings of Metal
Dead Can Dance's '1981-1998' compilation if that counts!
Movies:
Back to the Future
The Big Lebowski
A Bridge Too Far
Books:
Catcher in the Rye
The Alchemist
The Da Vinci Code
What is your favourite joke?
Too many to list but if you must insist (credit goes to Steve Harris for this):
Q. What do you call a guy who hangs around musicians?
A. A drummer!
Can you tell us about any future plans for you and your band?
My personal future plans are to basically carry on working on my own label (Pitch Black Records) and give it everything I got. As for the band, there aren't any immediate plans, just try to promote the album as best as possible and do as many gigs here and abroad as we can.
Thanks for answering these questions. Now you are free to write a few lines to our readers.
Thanks so much for these really cool profile questions and the best of luck to RevelationZ Magazine! I'd like to welcome anyone to get in touch with us, even if just to say hi and of course to check out our music. We look forward to having you join us on myspace or on facebook. Most of all, keep it heavy, keep it metal!
Added by Steen - 9/12/2008
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Band Information - Band Profile
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Album Review - To Wait For Fire
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