Back in April 2017 James reviewed a Persefone show at The Underworld in Camden. Supporting Persefone were Poem, who are going to be back at The Underworld on 27th February for a headline show to promote their latest album Unique. We decided they were worthy to feature as our Band of The Day, so we present to you… Poem!
Simple things first – where are you guys from?
Hi everyone! We are from Athens, Greece.
How did you meet?
Stavros: Well, George (vocals, guitar), the oldest member of the band, was looking for a new drummer and he asked me to join the band. A few years after, the band’s guitarist decided to leave, so me and George asked Laurence (lead guitar) to join. We weren’t friends; however we knew that he was a great guitarist. After that we became friend as well! Finally the last to join was Takis, our bass player and his story is pretty much like Laurence’s!
How long have you been playing as a band?
George: We were formed back in 2006 and the line up was pretty different since I’m the oldest member. The band has existed for 12 years and me, Stavros and Laurence have played together the last four years. However Takis (bass) has been with us from September of 2017.
Before you get sick of being asked… where does the band name come from?
Laurence: Our vocalist George Prokopiou came up with this name, because he wanted a word that would be easy to remember and that wouldn’t give away the genre and the musical style of the band! So Poem it was!
What are your influences?
Pink Floyd, Tool, Opeth, Porcupine Tree, Led Zeppelin, Soundgarden, and so, so many others.
Describe your music. What makes you unique?
George: We are a group of musicians who feel very lucky being able to work with each other because we jam the material and that’s very unifying for us. If someone has an idea, he brings it into the studio and we develop it. We let ourselves go and we allow the music to take us where it wants to take us!
Do you have any particular lyrical themes?
Stavros: The lyrics depend on the concept of the album. For example, Skein Syndrome (2016) was about growing up and regretting things we’ve done (or haven’t done). Unique (2018) on the other hand, is about what society thinks is “normal” and what actually is!
What’s your live show like? How many shows have you played?
George: We have played many, many shows, we can’t complain! We try to have great time on stage, so people can experience that!
What’s the wildest thing you’ve seen or done at a live show?
Laurence: I can’t remember the wildest thing, but I can recall a few funny moments! For example when Textures and Amorphis decided to prank us and put the sound of a funny video on the monitors on which Stavros and Laurence were trying to say the Greek word “malakas” (meaning stupid / jerk) really really fast, so instead of hearing the instruments, we were hearing “malakas, malakas, malakas, malakas” repeatedly!
What kit do you use / guitars do you play / etc.?
Gabriel Drums, Istanbul and Zildjian cymbals, Fernandes Guitars, Line 6 POD HD500, TC Electronics Polytune, D’ Addario Strings, Dunlop & Gravity Picks, ect
What, if anything, are you plugging/promoting at the moment?
Stavros: Our new album Unique which be released on the 23rd of February and of course our upcoming European tour! http://poemband.com/tour-tickets-sale-link/
What are your plans for the rest of 2018?
Takis: Firstly, on the 23th of February our new album Unique will be released through ViciSolum Records and the very next day, we find us in Germany for the first gig of our third European tour – first as co-headliners – with Damnations Day from Australia (support act White Walls –RO).
If you were second on a three-band bill, which band would you love to be supporting and which band would you choose to open for you?
George: Well we would like to be supporting Tool and we would like to grow so so much as a band and have Opeth open for us! hahaha
