Metro Decay

New Wave group formed in Athens, Greece, in 1981. The group was founded by Costas Mastoris (Κώστας Μάστορης, keyboards) and Yannis Maniatis (Γιάννης Μανιάτης, drums), with Maniatis' younger brother Antonis (Αντώνης Μανιάτης, vocals, guitar), as well as Yannis Rodites (bass) soon joining in. The band started when Mastoris met Yannis Maniatis, while both were in the last year of high school. They decided to form a band without knowing how to play an instrument. After getting jobs, and buying instruments, they enlisted Yiannis' younger brother, Antonis, as a guitarist. Mastoris came up with the name "Metro Decay" in May 1982. Their first public appearance took place at the Kyttaro club in the spring of 1982 in Athens. Their major break-through came in September, in the legendary 3-Day festival at Sporting Stadium, supporting The Birthday Party, in front of a very hostile audience. After that Roditis left the band, joining Magic De Spell. The group vowed to continue as a trio, writing completely new songs. Around that time, Babis Dallidis of Creep Records (2) heard about them, and suggested they do a single for his label. In March 1983, the single "Κimilia / Skies" was released. After the trio spent countless hours rehearsing their new songs, they entered the studio to record their debut album In November 1983. Before mixing for the album was completed Mastoris left for his (mandatory) military service. In 1984, the album "Ypervasi" was released, again, by Creep Records. The record is considered as a landmark in the field of 80's Greek Rock. On March 23, 1984, they played at the Grava school complex in Athens, together with Cpt Neφos, South Of No North (2), Yell-O-Yell and Villa 21. On November 8, 1984 they played live at the club "Hyma", again together with Yell-O-Yell. Soon after, Yannis Maniatis had to leave for his military service as well. After some line-up changes, in 1986, with new member Stelios Mastrokalos (Στέλιος Μαστρόκαλος) joining the band - as well as bassists Yorgos Glinelis (ex Anipofori) and Yorgos Palamiotis, and Kostas Kouzas on keyboards - the band attempted to make a change in its sound, turning to English lyrics in the process. They had written material for a full album, but ended up only recording the song "Brand New Day" (which remained unreleased until 2010), due to their perfectionism. On March 18, 1989, they played live at An Club, in Exarchia. Members have mentioned having written songs for two more albums, but with them not being satisfied with the results, they were never released. In 1995 the last rehearsal of the band took place. In 2014, Mastoris, Mastrokalos and Kouzas did a snow under the name "(Not) Metro Decay", to support the completion of 80's Greek New Wave documentary "Εδώ δεν υπάρχει Άσυλο".