Tri State Corner
”Ela Na This“– Greek for ”come and look at this, have a look at my world“ that’s what TRI STATE CORNER is saying with their first CD album, & they’re right, ‘cause you should definitely have a closer look and a closer listen to TRI STATE CORNER.
TRI STATE CORNER is living in Burscheid, a small town in the Bergisches Land close to Cologne. From there they are revolutionizing the Rock/Metal Scene with their own music style providing insights to the audience that even the oracle of Delphi would not have been able to predict.
It begins with the ingenious play on words of their band name: TRI STATE CORNER - three countries which meet - stands for the band members. Three of them are coming from Greece, one from Poland, and one from Germany.
While the word-play on the name alone may not be earth-shattering, as there are as many other ingenious band names that convey “messages” as there is sand on the beach, this “Fiver” with a Greek majority, has accomplished something that many were not expecting: they have truly developed a new style that’s bringing fresh a wind into rock music.
The phenomenon has a name: Bouzouki. This traditional Greek string instrument plays a main role in the appealing rock songs of TRI STATE CORNER and substitutes the lead guitar in many songs of their repertoire.
Actually, this instrument can heavily rock, as guitar player Janni impressively proves.
The fact that appealing refrains, hard metal riffs, groovy bass lines, and massive and powerful drum beats from drum player Christos Eftimiadis (Ex-Rage, Subseven) can harmonize with a Greek bouzouki is shown by TRI STATE CORNER in songs like “Back Home”, the title song “Ela Na This” and “Oniro Trello”. At the same time, the bouzouki is never felt improperly positioned in the arrangements. No, it is the exact opposite; it gives a multi-cultural flair to the songs and provides additional dynamics.
The reactions of the media and the audience to the EP “Changes” which was released n September 2007 and additionally the support shows with bands like DEMON, NAZARETH, ZOO ARMY or JBO is showing that TRI STATE CORNER’s got it right.
The fun that the five musicians have while playing is also being praised in addition to their innovative music style & the successful experiment to break open dusty music structures on an international level without stepping on the toes of rock music traditionalists, but rather to carry them away.
In times of a united Europe, this is surely an unforced example of successful international understanding.
In order to understand the message of TRI STATE CORNER, you don’t need to know Greek, since the songs have mostly English lyrics.
The sprinkled Greek quotations and choruses used in the songs provide an additional personal touch to the music of the Metaxa-Rockers and basically say one thing: Music does not know any speech barriers or artificial country borders.
Rock is rock and Ouzo is Ouzo – that’s the way it is.
