Greek composer and multi-instrumentalist Spyros Charmanis released an album under the name None Other titled “Than The Common Plague” in September. In an interview for Progarchy, he tells about the process that informed the record, and more.

Hey Spyros. How are you doing?

Hello Progarchy! I am doing well and I hope you do too!

You released “Than The Common Plague” recently. How do you feel about the release?

Pretty happy, and I’m sure everyone feels that way about their recent work! It came together nicely and easily and the packaging came out great. The overall result makes me proud – in the non-narcissistic way- it utterly justifies the amount of time it subtracted from my life and I’m glad I did it!

How much of a challenge was it to work on the album?

It was quite challenging, I can say that! As with each concept album, aside from the freedom it can give the artist to explore and develop, there are traps and pitfalls and the hardest thing to achieve is cohesion throughout. I won’t say I achieved it, that probably is for the listener to decide, but I can say that there was a great deal of care and meticulous planning on my part so that the music, the story and the book resemble a complete work of art. And I use the term ‘art’ because I believe that every record potentially serves as an art proposition, not because I’m having delusions of grandeur or anything!

How is the progressive rock scene in Greece these days?

It’s there, but you have to know where to look. I mean, there are great prog rock stuff happening but I feel that the hip thing to do here right now still is the ‘stoner / southern rock’ type of thing. With which I don’t have a problem mind you, most of them are really awesome and absolutely rewarding to see live.

What is your opinion about the new wave of rock bands?

I fear my knowledge of this ‘new wave’ is minimal…There are definitely some new bands that I love, such as All Them Witches for example, and I do like the fact that they’re able to do what they do. I think every ‘new’ band knows it has to work harder to stand out due to the rising ‘competition’ and the plethora (I’m Greek, I can use that word!) of options out there, which of course works to the advantage of those paying attention, as they are rewarded with truly wonderful music!

Can you tell me something about your influences?

I can tell you that they’re not as many as I’d like! Some of them are pretty standard, some are pretty shameful, some are just plain pretty! I keep trying to find more time to listen to music, but that’s modern life for you I guess. The newest thing I started exploring and felt quite ashamed I haven’t done that all this time was King Crimson. I do love that there’s an entire back catalogue for me to devour though!

What are you listening to these days?

If I go to the studio now and check my playlist, there’s King Crimson and All Them Witches I mentioned earlier, the latest Triggerfinger album and my friend’s Methexis latest effort.

Your five favourite records of all time?

Oh no! High Fidelity is going to answer that for me: ‘In the club or at home?’! Kidding aside, I doubt I can produce a permanent list there, so many things to consider! Do or do not, there is no try I guess. In fear of it being ultimately frail and subject to change, I’d say definitely The Dark Side of the Moon, Grace by Jeff Buckley, Photo Finish by Rory Gallagher (as this was my first Gallagher record), King for a Day by Faith No More and the Court of the Crimson King should be there at the top, and I truly feel bad…

Can you tell me a little bit more about the gear you used to record “Than The Common Plague”?

That should be somewhat embarrassing! There was a little Alesis Multimix board I came to despise fiercely and a Fender Frontman 212 amp housing a Telecaster Highway One, a PRS SE Singlecut and various guitar effect pedals and a cheap Epiphone bass guitar going straight to the board. The more proper gear I used was a Pearl custom drumset mic’ed with a collection of Shure sm57’s and a couple of AKG condenser microphones, which also doubled for various other duties such as vocals, a Takamine acoustic guitar, percussion and the lot. I also used a musical saw and a custom made string instrument paired with an analog delay for soundscaping effects, and then various plug-ins in the computer.

Besides the release of the album, are there any other plans for the future?

I did a couple of acoustic sets (played with an electric guitar and amp) along with my cousin who also sings, I hope we’d get to do that more – she is great and it was quite fun! I also hope that new music will start forming in my head soon, I really miss the sentiment!

Any words for the potential new fans?

A sincere thank you to them for choosing to pay attention. And to you, people of Progarchy for the nice talk!

Buy “Than The Common Plague” from Bandcamp, and follow Spyros Charmanis and None Other on Facebook.