Member Since: 06/03/2007
Band Website: www.illegaloperation.gr
Band Members: ----COSTAS KATALIMATIAS----At the age of 9 I had my first lessons in the recorder and the flute at Sunday school…
Religion soon departed but music remained. Soon after I started forming my first chords on the guitar. In 1984 at an open air concert, the bass player of a friends group vanished 10 minutes before they were to appear. Downing a couple of beers and my pride, I got up on stage where a chaotic hour of Jimi Hendrix covers ensued. The crowd reaction, I can’t for the life of me remember. All I do remember however, is my resolve to start taking the bass a little bit more seriously. Notwithstanding the problems of my social/personal life, wich kept me away from music… during this period I played with Slang (Punk-Psychobily) and Dead Babies(Goth).
In 1991 after getting myself together I met Stathis Ioannou where with Manolis Angelakis and Paraskevas Savas we formed TILT (rock’n’roll). And in 2000 when we formed Illegal Operation…I finaly learned to tune my bass guitar!?!!??!----MANOLIS ANGELAKIS-----I started playing music in the 80’s as a member of several rock groups. I also work as a sound engineer and/or producer. Apart of my membership in Illegal Operation I write and sing songs with Greek Lyrics.
My favourite artists are: Tom Waits, Manos Hadjidakis, Nick Cave, Johnny Cash, Charles Mingus and Eleni Mandell.----STATHIS IOANNOU----I first studied classical guitar at the Hellenic Music School (Elliniko Odio) under the tutelage of Stathis Michalopoulos, while at the same time learning electric guitar with Diomides Koukos. My first group was formed with a bunch of friends. Playing New Wave, we called ourselves Gestalt. My friendship with Filotas Vaskalis played a pivotal role in my career as musician (Filotas was Fill Scars of Yell ‘O’ Yell).
I became part of the Athens alternative music scene by being a member of S.E.K., Magiko Chali, Tilt, Sigmatropic and Antony Livieratos.
At present apart from Illegal Operation I am also a member of the Greek lyric group of Manolis Angelakis called “Thiria†and I also play guitar for “Sharp Tiesâ€.
Also I teach guitar and I am involved in writing extensively for the stage, dance and the cinema, whilst also producing for various Greek artists such as Film and Happy Dog.----MARIOS SARAKINOS----I was born, nobody doubts about it, in August`72, an
historical moment for Peristeri (my homeland) and the
entire humanity. My presence and my talent in playing
the drums became obvious at home from my early days.
It was the way I was knocking my spoon on my little
chair, while I was waiting for my fruitcream.
Little by little I developed a communication code,
playing the rumba for my milk, the bossanova for my
cream etc. Later on, when I got my first real
drumset, I joined the biggest band of their time,
the famous "Lazy Mama". Success came right away
and I got not only fame but also a big name:
Marios - Antonios Sarakinos.
Because of my fast and delicate performance, people
used to call me "The Bird".
Using this nickname I became well known, as I joined
in several great latin and funk bands.
Influences: Tom Waits
Nick Cave
Latin Playboys
Mark Lanegan
Calexico
Morphine
JJ Cale
John Lee Hooker
Captain Beefheart
Primus
Sounds Like: a dog day afternoon
Record Label: Unsigned