Last summer, Panx Romana celebrated 40 years of existence with a big concert in downtown Athens. If I'm not mistaken, that makes them the oldest Greek rock band still active, as well as the longest-serving one. It wasn't commercial success that kept the band going all these years; they release their albums on indie label Wipe Out! with minimum promotion. As for income from live gigs, I've been to many of their concerts during the late 80's and 90's and most of them were free in support for one cause or another: legal help for jailed anarchists, free clinics for the poor and marginalized, rehabilitation for former addicts etc. No, Panx Romana retained a constant following throughout the years, firstly by staying true to their beliefs and musical vision, and secondly by doing the unthinkable for punk rockers: being all-around nice guys. Sure, they embraced the aggressive punk fashion and anarchist ideology just like all the other punk bands in the overtly politicized Greek scene, but while others called for destruction, their way was that of non-violent resistance and a positive agenda including ecology, pacifism, and anti-drug messages. Drummer Dimitris Dimitrakas, whose career in music pre-dated punk, had a radio show called "Rock 'n' Roll Assistance" promoting young Greek bands without focusing on specific genres, and he has collaborated with almost everyone in the local rock scene. Singer Frank Ninos used to manage a club in Plaka which became the epicenter of the early Greek punk scene until the government decided to "clean up" the neighborhood. Leaving punk pioneers Stress before they recorded their songs, he recruited other scene members to form Panx Romana in 1982. Two years later they contributed two tracks to legendary compilation Διατάραξη Κοινής Ησυχίας (Disturbing The Peace, 1984) while they released their first LP Παιδιά στα όπλα (Kids At Arms) in 1987. The title song was a denunciation of the Greek system of compulsory military service. At the time it was 2 years for all 18-year old males; one could get a postponement for studies but not escape it altogether. Alternative community service was impossible, and conscientious objectors faced actual jail time. The only way out was the so-called ''crazypaper", being deemed mentally unfit for service - but that came with the expense of being stigmatized for life and excluded from working in a variety of jobs. The obligatory military service cost many young people their lives, either by suicide or accident. Among them was Frank's older brother, who died in a landmine-related incident.
Two songs in this, their second LP, also have an anti-miltarist subject: ballad "Το γράμμα / The Letter", and "Διακοπές στο χακί / Holidays in khaki" - the latter is a Clash-like number with a small ska segment. There's generally not much variation musically: The Clash and Ramones are obviously huge influences, and all the songs here -with the exception of ballad "Το γράμμα" and dub instrumental "Tien An Men"- are straight-ahead punk'n'roll. Anti-cop anthem "Καταστολή στο περιθώριο / Repression for the Underground" is even a Greek-language cover of The Ramones' "Somebody Put Something In My Drink". The subject matter of other songs includes big city pollution and alienation ("Αθήνα Μηδέν χλμ από την κόλαση / Athens zero km from hell", "Η πόλη δεν κοιμάται ποτέ / The city never sleeps", "Χάρτινη πόλη / Paper City"), state repression, ("Παρακράτος της σιωπής / Oppressive State of silence", "Στο ρυθμό της κυβέρνησης / At the beat of the government"), and the celebration of resistance either political ("Ράδιο κατάληψη / Radio takeover" , "Αντάρτες πόλεων / City rebels") or through the power of rock'n'roll ("Rock 'n' Roll βοήθειες / Rock'n'roll assistance", "Το μυστικό πάρτυ / The secret party"). The LP cover depicts the famous photo of the Tien An Men protestor in China trying to stop a tank with his body, while original LP's also included a fanzine written by the band. I used to have this LP as well as Παιδιά στα όπλα on vinyl, but sold them during The Great Vinyl Purge after transfering them on CD. Big mistake! Now they're really rare, and since I've graduated from simple music lover to record collector I wish I had kept them. I managed to get hold of this copy for a decent price, but its condition is nowhere as good as the one I used to have, this one has plays with a low but constant crackle. Should you get a copy if you find one? From a collector's point of view, absolutely. Especially if you like foreign-language punk rock or anarcho-punk in general. Musically the record is upbeat and fun, without the obnoxiousness of some more hardcore bands. Lyrically, it is commendable for the social and political themes it deals with as well as for its approach, which is less militant and more utopian, almost Christian, in nature. For those who speak Greek, Dimitrakas has a set up a great website which includes complete lyrics and sound clips from all of Panx Romana's albums, as well as his various personal albums and collaborations.
**** for Rock 'n' Roll βοήθειες, Ράδιο κατάληψη, Διακοπές στο χακί, Αντάρτες πόλεων, Καταστολή στο περιθώριο, Το γράμμα
*** for Μηδέν χλμ από την κόλαση (Αθήνα), Η πόλη δεν κοιμάται ποτέ, Παρακράτος της σιωπής, Τιέν Ανμέν Πλατεία της ουράνιας γαλήνης, Χάρτινη πόλη, Στο ρυθμό της κυβέρνησης, Το μυστικό πάρτυ
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