*When did you really get involved into music in general and into metal specific? Who was responsable for your interest in (metal) music?

Well…it was mostly Iron Maiden! One night back in 1988 I just switched to MTV and stumbled on their new,current videoclip of ‘Can I Play With Madness’. So, that explains a lot I guess! I was already taking keyboard lessons on a conservatory but right after watching that video, my life was never the same: my godfather bought me my first electric guitar, my first TAB book was that of ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’ and the rest is history. Not a great one, but one I’m really proud of.

*Which artists or bands did influence you the most?

Well…apart of Iron Maiden, somehwere around 1994 I came in touch with the music of Dream Theater. Being a keyboard player already, the opened me new ways of making metal music, but this time using my keyboards as well. And regarding my power metal background, if there’s an album to “blame” that’s ‘Insanity & Genius’ by Gamma Ray, followed by ‘Black In Mind’ (Rage) and ‘Dreamspace’ by Stratovarius.

*Which instrument do you play and how and when did you learn to play? Did you had lessons in school or private lessons? If so, was that because your parents expected that from you? Or did you learn to play the instruments by yourself? Do yo still follow some lessons?

Yep, since 1988 my mother took me to a conservatory to begin keyboard lessons. Needless to say I was crying at the time, I just wanted to play not study etc. It proved to be the best move ever. Then, there’s another strange coincidence: In 1990 I was like the worst student in my first years in High-School. So my mother, in order to make me focus, she hid ALL my cd’s and tapes. So my only contact with metal for 3-4 months was a hidden video tape with just three songs in it: ‘Holy Smoke’ (Iron Maiden), ‘Cherry Pie’ (Warrant) and ‘Stonewall’ (Annihilator). He result is: I’m making an Iron Maiden-like album right now, I have 5 albums with AOR band of OUTLOUD and Jeff Waters is a great friend that we might work together on a project as well, hahaha!

*Do you follow other or are you intrested in other styles of music beside metal? If so, what is the kind of music you prefer to listen to?

I like good pop music. For example Miley Cyrus’ last album was amazing; great production and songwriting. I also enjoy some Greek pop stuff, but later on I found out the guy who wrote these songs is a metal guy as well! And then, there’s the music of Manos Hadjidakis, Aziza Mustafah Zadeh, Vangelis and Yanni for me and that’s that.

*Is music a full time job for you now or do you have a job beside music? If so, what kind of job are you doing? If you would be really succesful with music, would you quit your other job?

Yes, I’m lucky enough to have believed in my dream, invested on it and now I’m one of the few people in my country who make a living by making and playing Heavy Metal music. I have my studio, I make a lot of productions and whenever possible I go out and tour. That’s really a privilege.

*If you could start a complete new band (something like an all star band) with other musicians on other instruments, which artists would you pick for wich instrument and why? Would you still go for a traditional heavy metal band?

Perhaps I would keep it among friends by picking Gus Drax on guitar, George Kollias on drums and Telis Kafkas on bass. The later one also plays in the VASS / KATSIONIS album I just released.

*If you had been banned to an uninhabited island and you may pick 5 albums to listen to, wich albums would you choose and why?

pffff very easy! 1. Iron Maiden – ‘Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son’, 2. Megadeth – ‘Rust In Piece’, 3. Dream Theater – ‘Metropolis 2000’, 4. Manos Hadjidakis – ‘Gioconda’s Smile’, and 5. Judas Priest – ‘Painkiller’.

*Every new album of a band or an artist is the best one, so they say. – We do know ‘Storm The Walls’ is the first studio-album for STRAY GODS. – So here is a chance to promote you album. Why should a music lover buy your album? What are the standout tracks for you on this new album and why?

The case with this album is very easy. It’s made by and for Iron Maiden fans but it’s so much more. For me the standout tracks are the two lengthier ones, ‘Silver Moon’ and the title track, ‘Storm The Walls’, and perhaps ‘Love In The Dark’ for being a more Dio-style 80’s approach. If you are into good late 80s-early 90’s Iron Maiden … this album is for you. But then again … who isn’t?

– See “CD-Review” for a review (written in Dutch) for the new Stray Gods album ‘Storm The Walls’ (Rock Of Angels Records) –

*Is there a chance that you will promote these songs through live concerts? If so, would you prefer small clubs or big festivals? And is there a chance we can see STRAY GODS in Belgium?

I like both. I can remember great festivals we did with Firewind for example Belgium’s Grasspop; every time we played there it was amazing! And on the other hand I cant forget some intense and more intimate club shows for example the Viper Room in Vienna when we were all drunk, or at “Kyttaro” club in Athens with 600 people on a small room making a complete mess. And yes, we will try to go out and play this stuff live!