When did you decide that a career in music was for you?

 

Actually, we are not talking about a career in music exactly, as we all have regular jobs to sustain ourselves. Music has always been a way out of every day routine, something that gives us the energy so we can get back to it relatively sane. After all, especially in Greece unfortunately, a career in music is generally not a way to live on, apart very few exceptions. We’re doing it for ourselves and for our mental stability.

 

Who are your musical inspirations and why?

 

Each member of the band comes from a different musical background, so the influences vary. Talking about myself, I grew up with punk, rock ‘n’ roll, death metal and doom metal, and I consider bands like Entombed, Turbonegro, Cathedral, Motorhead etc. some of my greatest sources of musical inspiration.

 

What song of yours best describes you and why?

 

If I had to pick one song that describes Kemerov musically and as a message, that would be “Count Me Out” from our new album “Anti-Hero”. We think it carries a representative trademark of our death ‘n’ roll sound. Of course, we like to not keep a strictly certain style to all our songs, so a listener would find various musical directions in our album.

 

What has been the best gig you have done to date and why?

 

Every live appearance is special, but for me our best gig would have to be in 2017 at an open air festival in Veria, Greece. The atmosphere, the people, the sound, everything was perfect.

 

If you could perform a gig at any venue where would it be and why?

 

I don’t think there’s a specific venue that we are especially looking forward to playing. We would like to tour extensively over Europe at some point, but the COVID situation right now surely doesn’t help.

 

What has been your best achievement to date and what would you like to achieve in the future?

 

We think that our latest album “Anti-Hero” is a work that reflects us perfectly as people and musicwise, and we are really proud of it. Until the next one, hopefully.

 

Tell me a story from backstage or after a gig?

 

To be honest, there’s not actually a specific story that comes to mind. We always enjoy doing live gigs and being backstage and having beers with friends. This is probably the main reason why we wanted to start a band anyway.

 

What do you like best about being a musician and why?

 

As I said earlier, being into music is a need that is born out of the tediousness and boredom of every day life. Playing music is a main factor that helps us keeping it together. 

 

Do you think social media and the internet are a good thing in the music industry?

 

Social media has made it possible for every artist to get their work out in the world. This can only be a good thing, especially for small bands that are just starting out. This wasn’t the case in previous decades when a band had to strike a good deal with a label. Of course, internet presence is not the only thing a musician needs in order to stand out, but social media presence sure plays a major role in that.

 

How important do you think your look and image is when it comes to being in the music industry?

 

Image is important. Everyone can write and record music and, apart from the music itself being interesting or not, a notable and distinct image can help you get noticed.

 

Can you tell us about any tattoos you have and the significance of them to you?

 

I have several tattoos, all relating to music I like and has made a mark in my life and in the music of Kemerov. Entombed, Turbonegro, Black Sabbath, Hellacopters, Type O Negative are some of these bands.

 

If you run the country for a day what would you change about it and why?

 

This is a question that can’t be answered simply and naively. There are so many things wrong with the world these days that one or two things wouldn’t be able to make much of a difference. In other words, I don’t see much hope for the world today. We can only try to make it a little better every day by living our lives with solidarity to every one around us. There are small signs that maybe this works slowly but steadily. In 100 years or so, if the human race still exists on this planet, maybe life will be better.

 

What would your ideal day consist of?

 

My ideal day is always a day on the road with Kemerov, playing live gigs and being with my friends. Nothing beats that.

 

What has been your experience during the Covid 19 situations. Can you tell us how this has affected you personally,how it has affected you professionally and maybe a story from this time or a message for people out there?

 

The COVID years have been really hard, especially mentally, as it has been with everyone, I believe. The encouraging thing was that we as a band were able to get together and rehearse, so that was a refreshing way out. Of course we couldn’t play live, but at least we were keeping in good form.

 

If you could say one thing to your fans what would it be and why?

 

We want to thank every single one that supports us buying our new album or even just expressing how much they liked it. This is more or less the only way of having a feeling of achievement right now. Apart from that, live dates are already being planned throughout Greece (and maybe outside it in the near future) and we can’t wait to get together with our fans in different places.

 

How would you answer the question Who is Kemerov and what are the differences between you as a music artist and you away from music ?

 

Kemerov are a band of friends playing the music they like, as we wouldn’t exist if it was to be on a purely professional level, let’s say. We don’t differ much in our every day life, music is our way of venting between our day jobs and shitty every day life in general.

 

What was the first record or song you purchased and why?

 

Personally, Alice Cooper’s “Trash” was the first music album I purchased as a teenager. From then on, there have been so many more and different favourite bands and albums, of course.

 

What would say to someone thinking about becoming a musician and getting into the music industry?

 

Well, we don’t exactly consider ourselves members of the “music industry” as we move in a DIY way. We buy our own gear, record our own music, book our own live gigs, cut our own records. Maybe this changes at some point, but we are pretty down to earth, especially being in a country like Greece. So, to anyone who wants to get their own music out, I’d say just do it. Expression should be the main motive behind musical creation anyway.

 

What has the rest of the year got in store for you?

 

As I’ve already mentioned, some live dates throughout Greece are in order soon, for the promotion of “Anti-Hero”. Also, the vinyl version of the album is coming at some point. The delay has mostly to do with vinyl production plants right now, and this is a general problem for everyone these days.