Every country has its own peculiarities and preferences when it comes to bands and concerts. Obviously, Greece is no exception, as we all know the weakness it has for certain bands, which, no matter how many times they visit our country, people will flock to see. And rightly so, if you ask me. It is also obvious that, over the decades, Greece has not been a stronghold of hard rock, so there are literally very few opportunities each year to enjoy a hard rock concert. Don’t get me wrong, it’s purely a commercial issue and professional concert organizers are right not to invest money in a hard rock concert as the risk is too great. Of course, there are also those die-hard fans of the genre who insist on promoting hard rock events, and so far they have been rewarded for their hard work, effort, and anxiety.
For some strange reason that goes against the above, FM are an exception and Greeks love the British band that, just between you and me, always say the best things about us, and believe me, these are neither formalities nor pretentious words. The paradox is that FM serve a genre that is not exactly popular in Greece. Quite the opposite, I would say. And yet, every concert they give attracts a large crowd, and even many metalheads have (at least) their first two albums in their collection. How can this be explained?
I believe there are three main reasons. There may be others, but I consider these to be the main ones. The first is… Iron Maiden. More specifically, the song “That Girl,” which was written by FM, was included on their first album “Indiscreet”, as well as on the B-side of Maiden’s single “Stranger in a Strange Land.” In fact, it is considered by almost all Maiden fans to be one of their most successful and beloved B-sides.
The second reason is Steve Overland. The FM singer remains in excellent form with a voice that has remained unchanged over time. The blues tone combined with Overland’s characteristic melodic voice “speaks” to Greeks.
The third reason is both simple and essential. FM are the people next door, and in fact they are the friendliest people next door. They always find time to talk to everyone, sign everything, and take a genuine interest in what you have to say. Even on stage, nothing is fake. This is something that does not go unnoticed.
Personally, having spent a lot of time with them, I would add something that is not widely known: above all, they are people who prioritize the concepts of “trust”, “loyalty” and “friendship.” This is rare these days, especially in the music industry. For these reasons (and more), we should all be present at their concert at Kyttaro Club on April 18. After all, they will be playing the legendary “Indiscreet” album in full… you don’t want to miss it!
Sakis Nikas
