B-Sides

B-Sides is a Greek alternative rock band from Patras, Greece, active since 2007. The group forms around a line-up that has roots in earlier music projects: most of the members have played together since 1999, and the first B-Sides line-up comes together in 2004, when the band begins rehearsing and writing without a singer. A complete line-up follows in 2007 with the addition of a drummer and vocalist.

Early activity and live work

The band’s first concert takes place in December 2007 at Politeia Live Hall in Patras, where it appears as a support act for Flakes. B-Sides then begins building a profile through festival appearances and inclusion on various compilations. Several of its tracks are also remixed.

Recordings and releases

In early 2008, B-Sides independently issues its first demo single, Morning After, a limited run of 500 copies containing “Queen” and “Forest”. The single is distributed free of charge. Later in 2008, the band releases a second demo single, K-9, which includes “Who” and “Kill” and is given only to friends and radio stations for promotion.

The band’s first official release is the 7-inch vinyl single Queen, limited to 500 copies and issued in December 2008. Its second official release is the 7-inch vinyl single Kill, limited to 200 copies and released in spring 2010. These records contain “Queen” and “Forest”, and “Kill” and “I Speak Your Words” respectively.

Album

B-Sides presents its debut album, Story Without End, with a live performance and release event in June 2010 at Catamaran beach bar in Panagopoula, Achaia, Greece.

Style

The band is described as an indie, alternative and garage rock act, with a sound shaped by 1960s garage rock and psychedelic influences. Its songs include “Queen”, which receives strong airplay on stations in and beyond the Patras area and appears on a Postwave.gr compilation.

Line-up and related names

Members mentioned in connection with the group include Maria on vocals, John and Apo of The Odd Mods on guitar and Farfisa, Lefteris of Yesterday’s Thoughts on bass, and Panaramone of The Psykicks on drums. Other names associated with the broader B-Sides listing include a techno producer using the name in the early 1990s and a separate group that later becomes Adam and the Ants.