Against My Better Judgement

Against My Better Judgement, is five – piece act from Greece. They’ ve been together for a couple of years and Fate Got Black is their first EP (recorded in Lunatech studios during the summer of 2009). In September of 2010 their first video-clip ''Red Flowers on White Ground'' came out, directed by Christos Mavrides.Yannis Seraphim (vocals)gives an interview to subexistance.

Tell us a bit about the genesis of the band, whose idea was it to get things together? Had any of you previous experience in playing with any other acts before this?
We were all playing in different local bands but nothing special. We’ve been together since 2008. At that time Yannis, Bob and a drummer started a band and they needed someone to fill in the vocals, they asked me and I came in. That band came to be AMBJ but with a couple of changes in the line up.

Which is the current line up of the band?
The current line up is Yannis Efraimides, guitars, along with Victor Papachronis,Bob Kage bass, Vangelis Aslanides drums and Yannis Seraphim vocals.

Which are the main themes of your songs? Who writes your lyrics?
I write the lyrics. There is not a main theme. Some lyrics are more personal and there are others that speak about, the way we treat nature, or the way we treat each other, etc. I believe that there’re many things going wrong not only today, but also in the distant past. There must be a change not with revolutions and already tried recipes but something new. Everybody must try to change from the inside and become better, but that’s a very personal thing to do. No religions, or leaders can show us the way.

"Fate Got Black "ep took  great reviews at least on my site.Are third party opinions (press, fans, etc.) on your music important to you?
Its good to see that there are people who like your music and listen to it or write a good review but that’s not our main goal. First of all we want to write songs that really express us as persons and satisfy our creativity and then share it with people. Now if there are people who like the music that’s so flattering and we are really thankful.

What represent the fact of being on stage for you? Is it the best part for a band?
Well i believe it’s all about having fun and enjoying what you do. For us being on stage is a great moment, full of energy that flows between the band and the people that came to see the show no matter if they are ten people or two hundred.

Give me more details about your new  video-clip ''Red Flowers on White Ground''
R.F.O.W.G. was shot in our hometown, Katerini, with Chris Mavrides, who’s a great director and producer and also a good friend of us. The red flowers and the white grounds that you see, other than us, is just an artistic touch not meaningless but with a well hidden meaning. I wouldn’t like to reveal anything else ‘cause discretion was our goal from the beginning of the creation of the video. I also would like to inform you that there is a new videoclip for the song Fate Got Black that can be found on youtube and soon on our myspace.

What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music?
Swedish sound in general  had a big crush on us,but not only that. We definitely don’t listen to metal music exclusively. Alternative rock, post rock, pop and electronic music have also deeply affected us.

Do your personal opinions concerning politics and world events either past or present ever find their way into your music?
Yeah sure. I don’t believe in politics or politicians, or revolutions, they change nothing. But, unfortunately, they affect the world for so many years now. So it’s really easy to find their way into our music, because they’re matters that we have to deal with everyday in our lives.

Your first full length album is going to be ready in summer of 2011.Can you give us some more details or any elements you definitely wanted to have on the album?
That’s true. We’re writing new songs at the moment and things are going extremely well. Somewhere in the middle of the winter we will enter the studio and start recording. I can say that there are going to be many new elements in our music and some ‘’surprises’’ I wouldn’t like to say anything about.

A message to all the people that support the band?
We would like to thank all the people who like our music and came to our shows. And everybody who supports us in any way!!! Love!!!

Kostas Sotiriou