Welcome to Polismagazino.gr. Introduce the band in few words. Toxic Pub is a thrash metal trio based in Athens, Greece. From the beginning, our goal has been to create original material and carve out a distinct identity within the thrash metal scene by delivering compelling live performances.
When did you start as a band? The band was formed in the spring of 2020. From our very first sessions, it was clear that there was strong creative chemistry between us. Wasting no time, we immediately began working on our debut album, a process that involved extensive experimentation and numerous live performances in the underground of Athens.
What is your first musical memory? Each of us was drawn to the American thrash metal scene during our early teens. Influential acts such as the Big Four—along with bands like Sepultura and Pantera, played a significant role in shaping our musical outlook and heavily influenced both our playing style and overall approach to songwriting.
Who are the members of the band? George Kokolios – Guitars, Lead Vocals
Dimitris Fourniotis – Drums
Andriano Ferro – Bass, Backing Vocals
Describe to us your career in music to date. Were there any decisive positive or negative influences? For the first couple of years of the band we focused heavily on grinding the axe both in writing songs and performing energetic live shows. We tried to play as much as we could in different venues and with different bands making friends, reaching new audiences and gaining experience. One show that is definitely a highlight is the Schoolwave Festival of 2023 which was the first time we played on an actual stage with thousands of people. And lastly of course, this summer we completed our Northern-Greece tour which was our first experience playing outsideAthens and being on the road.
Are you “scared” by success or failure? As metalheads, we feel fortunate to be part of such a vibrant and supportive music scene. The metal community has consistently proven to be one of the most welcoming and passionate environments an artist can be part of. From the band’s formation to where we are today, the journey has been nothing short of exciting, rewarding, and full of meaningful experiences. So, “succeeding” in a scene like this doesn’t seem scary at all.
Tell us a few words about your latest release. To Not Die Blind delves deep into the human psyche, exploring themes of delusion, madness, and death. Many of the songs were written well before the album’s release, which gave us the opportunity to extensively experiment with the sound and refine every detail to our satisfaction. The album was entirely recorded and mixed by us, as we felt it was essential to bring our vision to life exactly as we had imagined it from the beginning.
Who edits the lyrics and music? Almost all of the lyrics are written by George. When it comes to writing music, it’s a collaborative process, each of us brings ideas to the table, and we work on them intensively over days, weeks, or months until we believe they’ve developed real substance. Ultimately, we use a simple but honest benchmark to decide whether a song makes it onto the album: Would we genuinely enjoy listening to this ourselves? If the answer is no, the track gets set aside.
What are your future music plans? We’re excited to announce that the writing process for our second album is well past the halfway mark. This upcoming release will be faster, grittier, and more technically refined than our debut. We’re currently planning a series of live shows across Greece, as well as abroad to present the new material. We can’t wait to get back on stage and see everyone. A heartfelt thank-you to all who’ve supported us on this journey so far, it truly means a lot.
OFFICIAL LINKS
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