Crimson Moon: How did the band get started?
Alex: Nick (Drums) and I were playing in another band for 4-5 years. I decided that I wanted to do something else, be more active so I left and we decided with Nick to form a new band. George (Guitars) is a good friend of mine so when I told him that we are looking for a guitarist he was 100% in. And then we found Mike (Bass) who was available at the time.
Crimson Moon: What kind of music do you play?
Alex: We try to combine all the music that we like to hear. Blues, Country, Southern Rock, Metal, Stoner.
Crimson Moon: How has the band response been?
Alex: People seem to enjoy our music, judging from their reaction in live shows. In the beginning they are like: “What the hell is this?”, But after a while they seem to have fun.
Crimson Moon: Where did the band name come from?
Alex: We have an expression in Greece, if you want to leave a not pleasant situation we say: Through a Black Stone. We took the first two words from there and we add machine because it sounded cool.
Crimson Moon: Introduce the band members.
Alex: Mike is the Bass Player, Nick on the Drums, George in Guitars and Alex Guitars and Vocals.
Crimson Moon: How many albums/CD have you released?
Alex: So far we have 2 EP’s, one single and a Full Album. We recorded and released our first EP less than a month after the band formed, in June 2019. The next year we released our first single “ House Of Lies” and the album “Crossroads” and then the pandemic came. The lock-down was a really creative period for me; I had like 10 songs and millions of riffs. So after the lock-down we decided to enter the studio one more time and record an EP “One with the Horde”.
Crimson Moon: Tell me about some of the songs on the latest CD?
Alex: “Rebel Utopia” it is a really powerful song. It is a mix of Country with chicken picking guitar licks and a strong thrash backbone.
“Rickenbastard 4004” it is a song that is a tribute to one of our heroes, Lemmy. We were fortuned enough to have Babis Papanikolaou from Planet of Zeus and Vagelis Karzis from Full House Brew Crew sing on this one. And finally we have an acoustic version of Bounty Hunter, a song from our first EP.
Crimson Moon: Who writes the music? Lyrics?
Alex: Most of the music is written by me and George and the same applies for the lyrics. Nick and Mike are really good in arranging a song.
Crimson Moon: And where do the lyric ideas come from?
Alex: Everything that we see around us, either it’s something that happens at the other side of the world or in our country, it can be a song. Sometimes we get inspired by a book or TV series, sometimes from a sci-fi movie and sometimes from things that happen in real life.
Crimson Moon: Has the Covid Pandemic impacted the band at all?
Alex: Yes, it has. A lot. Black Stone Machine it is a live band. All our songs are meant to be played live. So with the Covid Pandemic we were at the point that we just had released our first album and we couldn’t tour or play a live show. But it is what it is. We try to adapt to situations and work with what we have.
Crimson Moon: Do you have any side projects?
Alex: No. And I don’t want any. Black Stone Machine it is my main focus.
Crimson Moon: What is the music scene like where you guys are from?
Alex: I am really proud for the Greek music scene. We have titans like Rotting Christ, Septic Flesh, Planet Of Zeus, 1000mods, Nightstalker, Naxatras to name a few. The Greek scene is booming that’s for sure.
Crimson Moon: Who are some of your musical influences?
Alex: Wow… great question. James Hetfield is the reason I started playing guitar and obviously one of my main influence. Dimebag, Zakk Wylde , Jeff Hanneman, Mark Morton, Abbath, Dave Mustaine to name a few from the metal spectrum. I love Joe Bonamassa , BB King, Gary Moore, Kingfish , Rolling Stones, Led Zeppelin…actually I can write down a phone book with all the music that I like.
Crimson Moon: What is the band like when you play live?
Alex: For us it is one of the best feelings ever to play your music in front of an audience and see the people having fun and react positively. It gives you what you need to keep going. From our side we always try to give 110% on stage.
Crimson Moon: Have you guys ever played in another country?
Alex: Yep. We started the band in late April 2019 and we had a live show booked in Berlin in June 6th. It was our first shows and honestly I remember it like it happened yesterday. We were really nervous because we had only one month to rehearse, record, find band members, compose new songs, make all the arrangements for the trip and many other things. But it was an experience that made us realize what we are capable of.
Crimson Moon: How has the fan response been to the band?
Alex: People as I said seem to enjoy our music. We have really positive reactions at our shows.
Crimson Moon: What made you want to be in this band?
Alex: I just love making music, playing guitar and jamming with people.
Crimson Moon: If you weren’t in this band would you still be involved in the music industry?
Alex: I would still play music, that’s for sure. I would probably be in a band playing guitar.
Crimson Moon: As a musician what advice can you give to fellow musician just starting out?
Alex: Quit while you can. Hahaha.. Just kidding. Learn your instrument well- remember there is no shortcut-you have to spend hours and hours to be good at something, don’t be a dick, don’t expect from your bandmates to do everything while you sit on your ass, don’t be a burden to your bandmates, share responsibilities and be responsible , be true to your word, be kind to the people that like your music(and to the people in general) and work HARD.
Crimson Moon: What does the future hold for the band?
Alex: Live shows, a tour, recording, repeat!
Contact them at:
https://www.facebook.com/blackstonemachine/
https://www.instagram.com/blackstonemachine/
https://blackstonemachine.bandcamp.com/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/048E6uwOSGis0prKiy1MkX
https://soundcloud.com/blackstonemachine
https://music.amazon.co.uk/albums/B07W16YMXQ https://www.deezer.com/en/artist/70983172
