This past Tuesday August 23, 2011, Astoria's Athens Square Park was rocked, both literally and physically. First by a small earthquake aftershock and then by New York's own "Iskandar" Greek-American Rock Group. As part of the Federation of Hellenic Societies of Greater NY and the Athens Square Park Committee's Summer Greek Night festivities- this Greek Rock night was a first. A record attendance crowd was wooed by the eclectic set played by Billy Chrissochos' new rock band. Participating was also Astoria Soundworks Studios who lend the PA equipment for the night and City Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. who joined the band for an awesome version of Deep Purple’s “Smoke On the Water”.
The set mixed classic Greek Rock favorites ranging from Vasilis Papakonstantinou’s “Hellas” to Pix Lax, Xilina Spithia, to more recent fare such as C-Real to Classic Rock classics from Pink Floyd, Black Sabbath, Eric Clapton and Alannah Myles’ “Black Velvet”. There were originals like the songs “Ela” and “Atakto Agori” which made quite an impression on the audience as well. Needless to say just hearing “Paranoid” or “Another Brick In the Wall” in an outdoor venue is a treat in its own!
Iskandar is an eclectic Rock band whose musical styling incorporates Hard Rock, Metal, Pop and the ethnic texture of Greek Rock into a fresh modern sound. Iskandar the Band takes the philosophy of Alexander the Great by fusing different styles of music, whether exotic, folk, Metal or pop with the Hellenic (Greek) spirit and passion.
Iskandar is Billy Chrissochos on guitars, TK on guitars, Chris Pollatos on bass, Frank J. Pace on drums and Elias Giosas on vocals. The group was joined by special guests Angelina Myers on vocals, Themi Kyriazis on guitar who is also the owner of Metronome Music School, and special guest rocker City Council Member Peter Vallone Jr. on bass.
Billy and Chris have played two Rock/Metal Nights in Athens Square before with their other melodic metal female fronted band Phoenix Reign. Joined by the “Greek Warriors”, the ancient Spartan re-enactors they choreographed fighting sequences to the band’s epics such as “The Legend of Alexander” and “the Iliad” , as well as their hit song “Constantinople 1453-on the Eve of the Fall” (off the album Destination Unknown).
For more info or to book Iskandar (or Phoenix Reign) you can contact Billy Chrissochos @ 1-917-617-0597 or email band@iskandars.com
www.blacktuesday1453.com –for Constantinople 1453 video
About Billy Chrissochos:
Billy was born in Astoria, NY. His family moved back to Greece when he was 10 months old and moved back to the states when he was 9.
Billy’s mother’s family is from historic Kalavrita while his dad is from Piraeus-His dad from the island of Aegina and his mom from Karpathos’ Mesohori.
He is an artist, film maker, musician and historian. He has been in bankin for 17 years (asst manager etc), and have degrees from Queens College in Political Science and History and a minor in Education.
When not rockin’ out or reading history books he enjoys watching large predatory fish on TV.
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