Raining Pleasure
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| Raining Pleasure | |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Patras, Greece |
| Genre(s) | Indie Rock Alternative Rock |
| Years active | 1990–present |
| Label(s) | Minos EMI (Chrysalis) (EMI) Celesta Records |
| Website | www.rainingpleasure.gr |
| Members | |
| Vassilikos X-Jeremy Bassakis Jay |
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Raining Pleasure is an Indie / Rock band originating from Patras, Greece. The band was formed in September 1990 under the name "Rest in Peace". A year after their formation the band started local live appearances, until 1992 where they changed their name into Raining Pleasure and started touring around Greece. In 1994 the band self-recorded and released a demo of their work, that was limited to 160 copies, with most of its songs being re-recorded and included in some of their studio albums. For two more years the band continued touring around Greece and in 1996 the band had three of its songs released through Pop & Rock 's magazine compilation Dytiki Akti '96
Near the end of 1996, the band signed a contract with Lazy Dog Records, based in Thessaloniki and in early 1997 the band released their first full length studio album Memory Comes Back. The album received well upon it's release and that lead to their second release Nostalgia in August 1998. Raining Pleasure had the chance for two of their songs, to be included in two compilations that were made by the European collaboration of great radio stations. They later released a 7inch single in vinyl, from the Fractal Press magazine with the songs "Winters of Waiting" and "Love", that were recorded to be included in Memories Come Back, but were left out as b-sides
In fall 2000, Raining Pleasure signed a contract with Chrysalis Records, originally obtaining the label as an imprint for their Minos EMI releases. This made them the second English-speaking band in Greece to sign with a multinational record company after Closer, however no albums were released by Chrysalis Records while under contract and subsequent releases were only available in foreign markets as imports. Around April 2001, the band recorded and released an EP, Capricorn, before returning to the studio to record their third full length studio album, their first for a major label.
In December of 2001, Raining Pleasure's major label debut Flood was released to critical acclaim. The album performed exceptionally well on the charts, spending 15 weeks on the international chart where it peaked at No. 1 before chart regulations necessitated the album's move to the local repertoire chart where it peaked at No. 5 (an unprecedented feat for a Greek act performing in English). The album spent well over a year on the Top 40 Artist Album Charts and has been certified Gold. It spawned three airplay hits in Greece, the biggest of which, "Fake," has become a pop and rock radio staple, and has been used in several commercial spots. "Fake" was followed by the hits "Capricorn" and "Only Through You".
Raining Pleasure had some successful concerts that ran in Greece, resulting as them being supporting act in bands like the Cure, the Pixies, the Dandy Warhols and Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
In 2004, the group's album Forwards & Backwards was introduced by the double A-side single World / Identical Twins. Singer Elly Paspala contributed a vocal track on Identical Twins. Both songs were airplay hits.
In March, the band's cover of ABBA's 'Dancing Queen' was featured in the successful Greek film Hardcore, and remained in the airplay charts over six months.
In winter of 2004, the band embarked on its first tour in Germany and entered the studio to record a new version of the classic album by Manos Hadjidakis and the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, Reflections. Raining Pleasure's Reflections was released to immediate critical acclaim. The album was introduced to media at a concert at St Paul's Anglican Church in Athens. The album has been certified gold.
In 2007 they formed their own independent record label Celesta Records under which they released their newest album Who's Gonna Tell Juliet? Physical and digital distribution for the label is handled by Minos EMI.
Contents |
[edit] Band Members
- Vassilikos - Vocals, Guitar
- X-Jeremy - Guitars
- Bassakis - Bass & Synths
- Jay - Drums
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
- (1996) Memory Comes Back - Lazy Dog Records
- (1998) Nostalgia - Lazy Dog Records
- (2001) Flood: (coming of a) Great Quantity of Water- Chrysalis (Minos EMI)
- (2003) Forwards + Backwards - EMI (Minos EMI)
- (2005) Reflections - EMI (Minos EMI)
- (2007) Who's Gonna Tell Juliet?- (Celesta Records)
[edit] EP's
- (2001) Capricorn
- (2002) Only Through You
[edit] Singles
- (1997) Winters of Waiting
- (2001) Fake
- (2003) Kastor Bossa
- (2003) The World / Identical Twins
- (2003) Love me, Love me, Love me
