A VHS FULL OF MEMORIES
A VHS FULL OF MEMORIES
Hello ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to a brand new episode. Today we will go back (once again… hahaha, I can’t hide it, maybe I’m a bit nostalgic…!) 26 years in the past, to a different era than today and a completely different daily life. Back then, I was hanging-out with a girl who had a very good friend, and this friend of hers had invited us to her house to hang out. We were all metalheads at the time (we still are of course!!!), so as you imagine, it was all about metal talk and music. While we were chilling, the girl who owned the house (I won’t mention names for obvious reasons, it’s been many years since then and some people now have families, etc.) says to me: “Steve, I remember you also listen punk, right?”
She was metal to the bone, so she really disliked punk, and generally, anything outside of metal put her off. But I had always loved punk! So I answered yes, and she said: “I ask because I have some videotapes in the other room that I don’t want anymore, so if you’re interested, I’ll give them to you.”
“I WANT THEM!” - “I WANT THEM!” I shouted loudly!!! I saw a bunch of videotapes inside big black bags and, greedily I must admit (hahaha), I started opening them one by one like a starving dog… hahaha. Inside I found some amazing tapes: EXPLOITED, G.B.H., SEX PISTOLS, SHAM 69, Oi! compilations, P.I.L., ANTI-NOWHERE LEAGUE, and many more. Most of them were original tapes with covers, only a few were recorded over. I was truly blown away!
Before I continue with the story, let me make something clear, especially to the younger generations. Back then, the only way to see a band was to go to their concert (if they came to your country, or if you traveled abroad yourself), see their photos in magazines and fanzines, or buy a videotape of them performing live or music videos. There was no other way - no YouTube, nothing. Even the few music shows on TV played only the big commercial metal bands of the time. As for punk, there was zero chance of seeing VICE SQUAD, DISCHARGE, ADICTS, etc. So you had to put your hand in your pocket, pay, and get the tape you wanted. OK, some video rental stores also rented music videos, but only mainstream bands, and only if you were lucky…
Of course, I was curious how this girl, who only lived and breathed metal, ended up with all these punk videotapes! The story was this: A few days earlier, she had took a taxi (yes kids, there were no apps back then, no internet as we know it today, it was in its infancy… if you wanted a taxi, you had to get your butt out of the house, raise your hand, and hope the driver liked the look of you, otherwise you waited for the next one… hahaha). While chatting with the taxi driver (surprise, surprise, a taxi driver talking nonstop!!), the conversation turned to music. He told her he had loads of videotapes at home that were taking up space, and asked if she wanted to come over and take them all for free. She agreed, but didn’t go alone because she was worried he might have other intentions, so she went with her boyfriend, and they picked them up. In the end, the taxi driver confessed that the tapes came from a bar he once owned in Ilioupoli (a suburb of Athens), which had since closed down. The bar was called “BEST”. It was one of the first places in Athens to play videos, so you could enjoy your drink, beer, or coffee while listening to and watching your favorite music. Very advanced for its time!
After we spent a nice evening at her place, it was time to go home. The next day I couldn’t wait to get back, pop the tapes into the VCR, and thrash my room!! The tapes played perfectly and were in excellent condition. All the tapes had the bar’s name “BEST” written on them with correction fluid (“blanco”), both on the case and on the cassette itself. But there was one tape, in a plain black case, with no cover. On the outside, it simply said (again in correction fluid): “GREEK PUNK BANDS”.
I still remember the impression it made on me when I pressed play. Four guys with punk looks (not all of them - some looked more ''rock'' or even ''new wave'') staring directly into the camera (there was only one camera, static, in the center), trying to play as noisily and loudly as possible and they really pulled it off… hahaha! The tape featured two different bands playing with the same instruments in the same room. The lighting was poor, just two big lamps on each side, and there were friends around, moshing and shoving each other, classic punk stuff, clearly influenced by the British punk scene.
The first band wasn’t that good, their songs were chaotic and sloppy… hahaha. Not that the second band were virtuosos, not at all, but they looked and felt much more like real punks - tough, scruffy, rebellious, authentic kids of the street and of punk. The best part of the whole 40-minute tape was two punk girls sitting on each side of the drummer, dancing wildly non-stop, like a Greek punk version of go-go girls. They looked so similar - not only in dress but also physically, that I’m pretty sure they were twins. In the end, everyone seemed to be having fun together, enjoying themselves through the music. The tape even had some street footage after the session, showing the twins and their friends messing around and joking with each other.
The clothes were fascinating: boots, studs, badges, chains, leather jackets painted with the names and logos of their favorite bands in white paint. Back then in Athens, there were no shops selling authentic band shirts, patches, or material to create the look of your “musical tribe.” In the late ’70s there had been a short-lived clothing store called “PUNK”, and in the early ’80s one called “REMEMBER” (which I think might still exist, though under a new address). For punk/rock and metal clothing there was also “TOP MAN”, which still operates today.
For those of you reading this outside Greece, I’m sure this gives you a bit of cultural shock at how far behind Greece was in terms of the underground scene in the ’80s. We watched this tape with friends many times, but none of us ever knew the name of the band, who they were, or whether it was even a real band or just friends jamming. I always kept in mind that someday I wanted to find out.
The years passed, the internet entered our lives, old Greek punk recordings from the ’80s were reissued, previously unreleased demos, live shows, and rehearsals came out, books and documentaries were made - but never, anywhere, was there a mention of this band (or either of the two bands on the tape). No photos, no info, nothing. Of course, you can’t be curious about something you don’t even know exists.
My VCR broke about 10 years ago and I never got around to fixing it, so the tapes stayed in storage. About two months ago, while at my parents’ house, I saw my old VCR and thought: “If I don’t fix it now, I never will.” Repairmen for old electronics are slowly disappearing - most are elderly now, and people don’t even watch Blu-ray or DVD anymore, let alone VHS. It’s only a matter of time before they retire or pass away. ''ONLY DEATH IS REAL''!
So I decided to fix it, just to be able to play a tape and feel that nostalgia again. In my neighborhood, there’s a guy who repairs old turntables, radios, cassette decks, VCRs, etc. I took it to him in a bag, and about 10 days later he called to say it was ready. The price was a bit steep, but I thought: “Screw it, at least it works now.”
I went home (it was a Thursday, I remember), stocked up on cigarettes and coffee, and started going through the tapes. Some were movies, others music videos, until I got to the punk ones! Looking at the covers, I saw that same black tape staring back at me as if to say: ''PLAY ME - PLAY ME''!!! So I did. After 26 years, I pressed play.
Immediately, a wave of nostalgia filled the room. But this time, it was 2025. We live in the age of the internet, where answers come instantly with a click. So I thought: ''What if I upload a clip of this punk band to YouTube? Maybe someone will recognize them, a friend, or even one of the band members themselves.'' So I held up my phone, recorded the screen as the tape played (the picture and sound were, of course, shit!), and uploaded it to my YouTube channel.
I wrote in the description:
"I repaired my VCR after 10 years. Here’s a real piece of history I haven’t seen in 26 years. I’d love to know which band this is (if it’s even a band or just some friends jamming). The tape also has 3 (I was wrong, the bands were 2) more bands playing in the same space. Judging by the look and clothes, I’d say it’s between 1983–1986, but I could be wrong. If anyone has any info, I’d love to hear it.
P.S. 1 It’s poorly recorded because I filmed it live with my phone directly from the TV.
P.S. 2 For channel followers: I deleted all my old uploads after copyright strikes.
P.S. 3 Enjoy the watch and listen!"
Hours passed, and the views barely reached 50… hahaha. That night I went out for beers with a good friend (cheers Andreas — N.W.O.B.H.M. forever!) at a well-known metal bar in Piraeus. I told him the story and showed him the clip on my phone. The views had climbed to 140, but still no comments. True to his sarcastic and cynical nature, my friend mocked me, saying I’d never find out who those punks were, and that I wasted my time. I came home around 6 in the morning, drunk, and crashed like a bear.
When I woke up around 6 in the evening (I can’t handle all-nighters anymore… hahaha), I checked for updates. To my surprise, the video had passed 1,000 views and had comments! Of course, I’ve long since realized humanity is full of idiots, egotists, and know-it-alls. And the comments were, almost without exception, total nonsense. The first commenter insisted I change the word “documentary” in the title, claiming that “document” can only refer to something already known, not something unknown. Science surrenders its arms… hahaha. Another said it couldn’t possibly have been recorded in 1983 or 1985, because “no one in Greece had a video camera back then.” He was certain it must have been after 1987.
Someone else argued the same, saying it must be at least 1986 or later, since in Germany a camera cost around 2,500 Deutschmarks at the time - an impossible luxury in Greece. And so on, endless stupidity. I didn’t reply to any of them, I just wanted to see how far people’s nonsense would go. Honestly, the comments were so irritating I even considered deleting the video from YouTube altogether. As we say here in Greece: “You show him the forest, and he stares at your finger.” The views kept climbing, and within a day the video had reached around 3,000 views. I figured people must have been sharing it in groups dedicated to Greek punk of the ’80s. Sure enough, when I checked, it had been reposted in two such groups. And that explained the sudden rise in views.
Two days later, a user comments:
“According to Louie from Stress (Stress were, in my opinion, one of the top punk bands of the 80s here in Greece. They released a fantastic self-release album in 1985 titled ''The Sound of Insecurity'' - ''Ο Ήχος της Ανασφάλειας'' in Greek. Extremely hard to find for years now, and if you do find it, the price is sky high!!!), the band is from Argyroupoli and their name is ''The Exkaizers''. This is definitely a document! Will you upload the other three bands you mentioned as well?”
I go ''WOW!!! That’s amazing, we got our first piece of info!'' and I reply: “Wow, thank you so much! If Louie said it, then there’s no doubt! If you can, ask him if he knows what year this video might be from. I’ll try to upload all the material from the videotape, but I don’t know when… Thanks again for the information!” The same user replies again: “It was recorded in 1984 according to Louie.” Once more, I’m like: “Great!! We even found the year!” (I had guessed the time period roughly right).
But then the stupid users started again with their nonsense about how there were no video cameras back then, and other idiotic ideas… And suddenly Louie from Stress posts this comment, shutting everyone up!!!
“Hi, Louie from Stress here. The video was filmed in 1984. The two guitarists on the right and I went to the same technical high school in Argyroupoli. In Ilioupoli square, there was a bar that played videos of bands from that era, mostly punk and Oi. It was a hangout spot where lots of punks and skins gathered. If I remember correctly, the guy who owned it was called Lakis, and the bar had a style similar to the Dragonfly on Akadimias Street (a downtown hangout). This video was played in that bar along with Exploited, GBH, ANL, and others. The Exkaizers (I think that’s the name, though it might have been ''Exokaizers''). I don’t know if any of the band members are still around. At the end of the video, at 5:16, you can see ''Mascot'', a friend of our late singer Giannis, who also passed away young.”
Amazing information that Louie shared with us, and I thank him once again from here! Luckily, with his comment, all those fools who had been writing nonsense had to take back their irrelevant remarks and crawl back into their holes. But the best comment came two days later, when the singer of the band himself left a message, clearing up almost all the questions. Unfortunately, he didn’t tell us who the other people in the video were, but that no longer matters. His comment read:
“Hi guys. I’m Vasilis, the one singing. ''The Exorcisers'', from the southern suburbs. The video was shot, if I remember correctly, in late 1983, and the camera was brought by Lakis, who owned one of the first punk bars in Ilioupoli’s main square. In the video, there are also friends of ours from ANTI. Great times!!!”
The bar he mentions in Ilioupoli was ''BEST'', which was actually the bar owned by the taxi driver whose girlfriend gave me the videotapes. Thankfully, the band’s singer also shared some more details about the group and that era, filling us with nostalgic images of a carefree life-one that sadly will never return.
The video is still on my Youtube Channel, and up to the day I’m writing these lines, it has reached 14,000 views. But honestly, I couldn’t care less about the number of views. The goal was achieved thanks to those two or three people who finally solved the mystery of this band.
And I often sit and think, in these past two months, how many bands must be out there-whether punk or metal (in general, the extreme sound we care about)-that we will never know about. I’m not talking about the bands that recorded albums, nor even those that released demos (which sooner or later we learn about). I’m talking about the bands that only ever played shows for themselves and their friends, whether in a rotten studio, in construction sites, or even in their own houses. Just for themselves and their circle. Not “wannabe rockstars,” not looking for a record label to build a career, not chasing fame, nothing like that. I’m talking about the bands that left behind nothing tangible-maybe just a few forgotten photos in a drawer, or, like this story I’ve just shared with you, a lost videotape.
By Steve Filthy Dog.
