Although Zebra Tracks was reborn on Nov. of 2005, the Zebra concept existed since the early 00's.
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Nicolas Smirlakis (drums) left modelling after a physical abuse of his agent; there's still a trial unsettled, over a 48.000$ contract.
Anestis Vlissidis (bass) hard working man on his Master, ex-pilot of the Greek Air Force, having 88hrs & 32min of flights.
Adonis Kavvadias (vocals/guitar) was trying to create an all-star band and ended up to convincing his 2 former schoolmates Anestis n' Nicolas to form a project.
George Nikas (vocals/guitar) after passing from Exilez (vocals), played as a session drummer for several gigs with Tadpole, No Balance and presently for Tootsie Babes.
…and ZEBRA TRACKS happened.
The name of the band was an idea of Aris D. (first manager of Z.T. and now editor of Mad TV).
After a few rehearsals, gigs followed as we reached a long break within 2005, when several obligations emerged, keeping the members out of the country for over 10 months...
When they met, they decided to work in the studio with producers Aris Christou and Thodoris Zeukilis, so the double A-side single (Silicone Valley/ Borealis Fallacia) was released in early 2006 under the label BuysomeRecords.
On the road again with concerts in Underworld Club, E.M.P University, Lazy Club, Rodeo Club and Small Music Theatre.
The sales of the CD single (700 copies) and the tickets in the concerts were an unexpected success.
So came invitations from concert-organising companies. Zebra Tracks is picked up as Television Personalities opening act in Underworld on 4 May and is participating in the concert for the 4th European Social Forum on 6 May and on 22 June in the Music Day on Kotzia Square stage, one week after their participation in the Urban Fest Osijek in Croatia.
Summer 2006 festivals ended up in Ardas and the new season came with harder work and a successful unplugged concert in Booze for the Velvet Magazine.
Other magazines were also interested in the bands profile, so Sonik, Lifo, Ozon, Pop&Rock, Eleutheros Tupos, Soundpark are some of the most important hosts of Zebra Tracks for the new season, which brought them closer to the audience. Interviews in Athens International Radio and Rodon FM followed.
Meanwhile the song “Spare Time Soundtrack†is recorded at the Sonic Playground Studio and is included in the original soundtrack of the movie “Approaching of the hourâ€.
The next plan was the outer Athens scene. The decision to follow Film, one of the most inportant greek bands of EMI, at their tour in Greece, led them to Thessaloniki, Amuntaio, Serres, Chalkida and Argos in December 06.
On January Zebras are invited by Mad TV and are presented on "Post Alternative" show.
January 26 and Zebras are playing live in front of 500 fans in Athens' biggest stage "Gagarin 205", with Modrec and Absent Mindead. 3 unsigned bands break the taboo of big venues and the live becomes a great success.
Meanwhile the Zebra Tracks E.P. is released in June 2007 with producers Nikos Triantafyllou and Pinhead. The E.P. is distributed by the band themselves and receives great lines from the critics. It hits No1 in the indie record shop Vinyl Microstore and stays there 3 months.
In June 2007 Brian Molko picks up Zebra Tracks as an opening act for the Placebo show in Lycabetus Theatre, where Zebras play in front of 7000 fans. One month later Zebras play live with Kaiser Chiefs, Long Blondes and Good Shoes at the Open Air Festival.
Back in the Sonic Playground studio in early September with N. Triantafyllou for the recordings of the debut album, working on new material, songs like "Dusan Bajevic" and "Telefon Nummer" which have only been played live and reproduction of former hits like "Silicone Valley" and "Spare Time Soundtrack".
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Zebra Tracks - "editors" live @ lYCABETUS Th. 14-6-07
