Cherries on a Blacklist

Imagine you could have an album, which radiates with thrilling tempos, and a rampant punk spirit. Imagine that this album also combines amazing melodies, Sing-A-Longs as well as atmosphere, and lyrical depth. An album, which Cherries On A Blacklist has now created with “Glorious Days”.

Rhodes, Greece, sometime in the eighties. This small island is the creative birthplace of a friendship, which in later years would create the band Cherries On A Blacklist. Andreas, George, and Miltos have known each other since their childhood, earned their first bucks on the island, and share a mutual love for bands with a harder tone. But in the end, Rhodes was just too small for them to fully release their pent-up creativity.
The fact that all three of them ultimately one after another decided to move to Germany only strengthened the bond of their friendship. The inclusion of Gonzo, who also has immigration background, and comes originally from Mexico, led to what later became the main lineup for the band. That’s how Cherries On A Blacklist with Andreas (Guitar/Vocals), George (Guitar/Vocals), Miltos (Drums/Vocals), and Gonzo (Bass), was born.

Their first musical attempt came in 2008 with the EP titled “14”, later followed by their debut album “Lakafigo” in 2011 which was produced by Olman Viper (Caliban, Jupiter Jones, and Emil Bulls), and released through their own label Grey Ham Records. The music press was intrigued, and their fan base began to grow quite fast after performing shows around Europe, and with bands such as Planet of Zeus, D.A.D, and Asteroid. They were even able to obtain a headlining show at the VIT Riviera Festival in Vellore, India. All was achieved through hard work, and the spirit of DIY.

Fuelled by their recent success, and the fact that they wanted to live from their creativity, they began working on their follow-up album “Glorious Days” in 2014. Recorded live in the renowned Horus Sound Studios again under the direction of Viper. The album consists of 11 songs, not a classic concept album, but the tracks do follow common themes.

The lyrics speak to your soul, and certainly to the souls of many listeners about the search for answers, the expression of certain hopelessness, and a social decay, which one wouldn’t necessarily deem good. The departure of their lead guitar player George at the beginning of 2015, plus a few other low blows that came during that time, gave the work they had done a completely new meaning. This ultimately made the band even prouder of what they had created.

When it comes to rock, Cherries On A Blacklist is unique. Their opening song “Barrel of a Gun”, which was released as a single in 2015, and “Storm” are songs that one would have hoped Beatsteaks started creating again years ago. “Sweetness of Youth” is characterized by its melancholic, and deep undertone. With the spanish/greek monster “Sex & Via” one can easily notice a connection to the Mexican band Molotov. The title song “Glorious Days” comes alive with eruptions of punk, while “Beauty is a Lie” with its piano sounds, underline the desire for complete creative freedom. The listener is offered exciting moments, heavy riffs, an urge for speed, and a lot of atmosphere, everything that makes up modern rock music. The one common thread seen throughout the album in terms of music is the unconditional love for great melodies, and recurring elements. In short, the album represents what the approach of Cherries On A Blacklist always was.

“Glorious Days” will be released on the 29th of July 2016 through the Hamburg label Bad Kingdom Records, who have already managed to make a name for themselves with the release of the band Linie’s album “What We Make Our Demons Do”.

Peter Kupfer EMP