Stelios Ventas was born in Athens, Greece in 1976. He's been playing the guitar since the age of 14. Trying to imitate his favorite guitar heroes, to name a few David Gilmour, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, Joe Perry, Randy Roads, Michael Schenker, Vivian Campell, John Sykes, Slash. He taught himself to play his first Black Sabbath, Metallica and Randy Rhoads riffs and soon he became a member of a local band.
After playing in various rock bands and gigging around Athens, he decided to learn more about music, so he started learning music theory and improvisation. Around the same time, he participated in various projects with professional and experienced musicians. He continued gigging and jamming in Athens, but always wanted to record his own music.
During 2014 - 2015 he undertook a series of courses on music technology & recording and started laying down ideas in his home studio. A year later (2016), his self-recorded debut album was ready, a musical voyage from European classic rock to American pop-rock and hair metal and back, with a characteristic "old school" vibe. Although "Rock 'n' Love" was so aggressively wrought, it had an extremely positive response from the rock audience and radio producers.
With more experience but the same dedication, respect and deep understanding of the techniques and traditions of the rock genre, Stelios Ventas completed in 2018 the "Faded Flower", a 5 tracks EP with aspiring tunes and more sophisticated production.
The third project “Badass” is an album with 10 tracks that pays tribute to the most badass area of classic rock, from the late ’60s to the early ‘90s, with some modern appointments. A music journey from rock ‘n’ roll and heavy blues to arena hard rock!
2) Line up
Stelios Ventas - Vocals, Guitars
Sotiris Pirounias – Bass
Yiannis Goudoulas – vocals
Nick Kanaris - Drums
3) How do you sound like?
The Dead Daises, Slash ft. Myles Kennedy and the Conspirators, Kiss, AC/DC.
4) Discography
"Rock 'n' Love", 2016
"Faded Flower", 2018 (EP)
“Badass”, 2022
5) What are your influences?
Pink Floyd, Rory Gallagher, Gary Moore, Rainbow, Black Sabbath, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Skid Row, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many more.
6) What do you write about?
I write rock stories about everyday life, love, dead ends, freedom, self awareness and road songs.
7) Your favourite live performance so far?
I prefer the gigs at small and crowded venues because I can communicate with the audience, I can see and hear them, we can feel each other. Besides, I know that they have come especially for us, not for the headliner of the festival. But it‘s a great experience to play at a big festival, too!
I prefer the gigs at small and crowded venues because I can communicate with the audience, I can see and hear them, we can feel each other. Besides, I know that they have come especially for us, not for the headliner of the festival. But it‘s a great experience to play at a big festival, too!
8) Tell us a funny story that happened in studio or on stage.
I remember a gig that I gave my guitar to drummer and I played drums for a couple of songs. It was fun and everybody was surprised!
9) Your favourite records?
Pink Floyd – The Wall
Rainbow – Rising
Dio – Holy Diver
Saxon – Denim and Leather
Iron Maiden – Killers
Scorpions - Blackout
10) A musician you would like to meet for a beer?
Michael Schenker, a great guitar player and a very cool guy. Or James Hetfield.
11) What will you ask backstage if you were the most important band on earth?
Haha! A couple of beers for sure and maybe a beautiful girl to relax me.
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Interviews