Socrates Drank the Conium, known also as Socrates, is a Greek rock band tha… Read Full Bio ↴Socrates Drank the Conium, known also as Socrates, is a Greek rock band that formed in 1969 and achieved success in the 1970s. Influenced by heavy blues and rock bands like The Jimi Hendrix Experience and Cream, the band melded the unorthodox time signatures and orchestration of progressive rock and the intensity of blues and hard rock music, creating a unique sound that distinguished them from other Greek rock acts of that period. Outside Greece, Socrates is best known for Phos, their 1976 landmark collaboration album with Vangelis.

The group has gone through many lineup changes, but the two core members have remained: guitarist Yannis Spathas and bassist/singer Antonis Tourkogiorgis.

Socrates began its career in the clubs of Athens, most prominently the popular Kyttaro. They were present at a number of other locations in and around Victoria Square in Athens. In addition to performing originals, Socrates often covered Jimi Hendrix songs, none of which were featured on any studio releases; a thirteen-minute cover of "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by the Rolling Stones, however, found its way onto their 1972 album Taste of Conium.

Yannis Spathas favored two sunburst Fender Stratocasters, a Candy Apple Red Roland GR-505 guitar synthesizer, a black Gibson Les Paul Custom and a cherry sunburst Les Paul Standard. Antonis Tourkogiorgis played a mid-1970s natural ash-bodied Fender Jazz Bass, a Warwick Corvette Double Buck bass and sang, while several drummers were used throughout the live shows and recording sessions.

In 1975, Socrates went through a change in stylistic direction with Phos, which featured Vangelis' production and contributions on many tracks.Phos was mostly reworkings of older songs by Socrates. Both LPs On the Wings and Phos were issued in the USA via Neil Kempfer-Stocker's Prog imprint Cosmos.

In 2002 Socrates reunited in an extended form (featuring keyboards and a second singer) to do several shows around Greece. This lineup remains active.

Current lineup (since 2002)
Antonis Tourkogiorgis – bass guitar, vocals
Yannis Spathas – lead guitar, Roland guitar synthesizer
Makis Gioulis – drums

Additional musicians
Asteris Papastamatakis – keyboards
Markella Panagiotou – backing Vocals

Former members
Costas Karamitros – drums
Elias Boukouvalas – drums
George Trantalidis – drums
Nikos Antypas – drums
Yiorgos Zikoyiannis – bass
Pavlos Alexiou – keyboards
Leonidas Alachadamis – drums (1975)
Kostas "Gus" Doukakis – guitar (1973)

Discography
(Appears on) Live at Kyttaro - 1971
Socrates Drank the Conium - 1972
Taste of Conium - 1972
On the Wings - 1973
Phos - 1976
Waiting for Something - 1980
Breaking Through - 1981
Plaza - 1983
Live In Concert - 1999
The Original Singles - 2005 (compilation)

Killer
Socrates Drank the Conium Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

When the people, are happy
and stoned
Then comes the killer

I am death
and I need some respect
I am the killer

dirty generation
You try to put me down
Soon I will make you feel me

I'm the black dog
walking with you tonight
I'm a shadow
watching you anytime
time has come to get you When the sun is bright
or when the moon is dark
Then comes the killer

Dressed in black I'm here
pointing at you
I am the killer

dirty generation
you try to put me down
So I make you feel me

I'm the black dog
walking with you tonight

I'm a shadow

watching you anytime
time has come to get you

Overall Meaning

The song "Killer" by Socrates Drank the Conium talks about the inevitability of death and how it can strike at any time, regardless of whether people are happy or intoxicated. The lyrics portray death as a menacing force that demands respect and will ensure that its presence is felt. The term "killer" is used metaphorically to represent death, which is represented as a shadow or a black dog that follows the listener.

The song seems to address the younger generation, who are often accused of being hedonistic and carefree, with no regard for the consequences of their actions. The lyrics indicate that death will come for them regardless, and will make them feel its power. The use of the term "dirty generation" suggests that the band is criticizing the behavior of the youth of the time.

The lyrics are dark and foreboding, emphasizing the inevitability of death, but they also encourage listeners to live in the moment and not take their lives for granted. The song can be seen as a reminder to appreciate one's life and to live it to the fullest, no matter how short it may be.

Line by Line Meaning

When the people, are happy and stoned Then comes the killer
The killer strikes when people are distracted and carefree.

I am death and I need some respect I am the killer
The killer craves attention and recognition for their actions.

dirty generation You try to put me down Soon I will make you feel me
The killer feels rejected and responds with violent retaliation.

I'm the black dog walking with you tonight I'm a shadow watching you anytime time has come to get you
The killer is always present, lurking in the shadows and waiting for the right moment to strike.

When the sun is bright or when the moon is dark Then comes the killer
The killer strikes at any time, regardless of day or night.

Dressed in black I'm here pointing at you I am the killer
The killer is visible and wants to make their presence known.

dirty generation you try to put me down So I make you feel me
The killer feels victimized by society and retaliates with violence.

I'm the black dog walking with you tonight I'm a shadow watching you anytime time has come to get you
The killer is always lurking nearby and ready to attack.

Contributed by Daniel V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

TRACKS