As of 2009, the line-up consists of: Alexis Kalofolias (Alex K) - bass/vocals, Yiorgos Karanikolas (B.George Bop) - guitar/vocals, Christos Michalatos (Chris B.I.) - drums, Thanos Amorginos (T.H. Lime) - guitar.
Biography:
They started playing under the name "Last Drive" in late 1983 and their first performance was at the "Rodeo Club" on December 27, 1983.
During 1984, following the departure of -the "then" member- Panos "P.PEP" Kasiaris, Yiorgos "B.George Bop" Karanikolas replaced him on lead guitar. The band's music was basically inspired by pre-80's music, mostly garage rock, rockabilly, protopunk (70's punk) and surf rock
In 1985 they released their first record, the 7" single Midnite Hop. They also participated with a song in a compilation tape by Dikaioma Diavasis (translation: Right of Passage) records, named Live at Kyttaro.
In 1986 they released their first full-length album, called Underworld Shakedown, which caused a sensation both for its content and the quality of production (done by the band themselves) which was unusually high for the standards of the independent scene of that time. They continued having live appearances in Athens and many other cities in Greece, and in the Spring of 1987 they toured abroad for the first time, in Germany, Italy, France and the Netherlands along with other known garage bands. such as The Fuzztones.
In 1988, Panos "P.PEP" Kasiaris returned to the lineup of the band, replacing Nikos "Pop Mind" Kapetanopoulos on rhythm guitar. Shortly after they released their second album Heatwave, which was produced by Peter Zaremba of The Fleshtones. That was the album that established their name in Europe, where it was re-released (with a new cover) by Music Maniac records, a German label specializing in garage rock releases. This specific label helped the band in spreading their name abroad by having their songs included in compilations. Their success brought them to Germany, where they participated in the Berlin Independence Days festival and also recorded the Time EP in 1989.
During the early 90's the band's sound went through changes becoming more heavy and speedy. The band also caught the eye of Paul Cutler of The Dream Syndicate, who would produce their next two records Blood Nirvana and F*head Entropy.
Blood Nirvana which was released in 1990, marked the change of their sound, a fact that spawned mixed reactions by fans and public alike. Therefore their contract with "Music Maniac" ended. Thus, they started becoming widely popular among rock fans in Greece, and on the same year they were voted "Band of the Year" by the readers of music magazine Pop & Rock.
In 1992 they released the F*head Entropy. album, which is their most mature work. In 1994, their contract with their long-time company, Hitch-Hyke records, ended. They signed for the multinational BMG Hellas and released Subliminal. In 1995, Yiorgos "B.George Bop" Karanikolas left the band and moved to the USA.
Some months later The Last Drive disbanded. All members went on to form or join other band projects.
In February 2007, The Last Drive announced their reunion for a few live dates around Greece through their official website . The comeback of the band created interest over the press and the general public. So in this case Columbia took advantage and released a best-of collection of The Last Drive called The Bad Roads: The Best Of The Last Drive. Their reunion came to be obviously permament, after their reunion dates were followed by more live appearances, in Greece and abroad having participation in big music festivals. In 2008, their first reunion live show came out in a limited edition (1000 copies) album, a CD / DVD combo named Time Is Not Important .
In May 2009, The Last Drive released their first studio album after their reunion Heavy Liquid on their own label Happy Crasher Records. Inner Ear Records released the LP in limited vinyl.
By 2011, The Last Drive are preparing their new studio album.
Holy War
The Last Drive Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
War makes the killers
War makes the wise
War tells the parts babe
You gotta leave behind
Aint' no cure babe
Ain't no therapy at all
Ain't no drug babe
Than the Holy war
Engines start rolling
Witchhunters too
Thirst of the wicked ha!
Out for you
Ain't no cure babe
Ain't no fun to me at all
Ain't no high
All get ready for the holy war
War is the healer
Wave your bye-byes
This war 's a tv shame that leaves you paralysed
Ain no cure babe
Ain't no veterans back home
Ain't no drug babe
Take you higher
Than the holy war
How long has it been since you last had a war babe?
I mean this intuition's gonna haunt you like a death-
Row kiss
There's no fuckin' way to turn into a veteran, babe
There's no way to put the blame on me
The Last Drive's song "Holy War" is a commentary on the destructive nature of war and its impact on individuals and society as a whole. The opening line "War makes the killers, war makes the wise" highlights the irony that war can bring out the worst in people while also requiring intelligent strategies to win. The line "War tells the parts babe, you gotta leave behind" suggests that war forces individuals to abandon parts of themselves and their humanity in order to survive and succeed in the violent conditions of warfare. Despite the sacrifices made, war offers no real solutions as "Ain't no cure babe, ain't no therapy at all, ain't no drug babe, take you higher than the Holy War".
The second verse of the song describes the relentlessness of war, highlighting the "witchhunters" and "thirst of the wicked" who are out for blood. There is no joy or escape to be found in war, and all that is left is a moral wasteland. The line "War is the healer" is a biting critique of the notion that war offers a path to healing or advancement. Rather, war leaves individuals and societies devastated and scarred.
The final lines of the song express a plea for individuals to reject the allure of war, and to recognize that war solves nothing. The line "Ain't no veterans back home" suggests that there are no true winners in war, only those who have been traumatized by its effects. The song ends with the powerful statement that there is "no way to put the blame on me", laying responsibility for the destructive nature of war on society as a whole rather than on any one individual.
Line by Line Meaning
War makes the killers
The act of war can turn people into murderers.
War makes the wise
War can cause people to become more knowledgeable about its brutalities.
War tells the parts babe, You gotta leave behind
War forces people to abandon aspects of themselves in order to survive.
Ain't no cure babe, Ain't no therapy at all
There are no methods to heal the trauma caused by war.
Ain't no drug babe, Take you higher Than the Holy war
There is no substance that can give you a greater high than the rush of war.
Engines start rolling, Witchhunters too
The war machine begins and those seeking out enemies are also activated.
Thirst of the wicked ha! Out for you
Evil desires and intentions places individuals in danger.
Ain't no cure babe, Ain't no fun to me at all
There is no enjoyment found in the destruction and pain caused by war.
Ain't no high, All get ready for the holy war
There is no level of satisfaction in this type of battle.
War is the healer
War has the ability to create a sense of harmony and unity among groups.
Wave your bye-byes, This war 's a tv shame that leaves you paralysed
The televised version of war does not match the real-life implications for those involved.
Ain no cure babe, Ain't no veterans back home
The return from war does not mean a person is free from its effects.
How long has it been since you last had a war babe?
When was the last time you experienced the horrors of war?
I mean this intuition's gonna haunt you like a death- Row kiss
The innate feeling that war is imminent can be haunting and preoccupying.
There's no fuckin' way to turn into a veteran, babe
War can change a person in ways that cannot be anticipated or controlled.
There's no way to put the blame on me
No single person can be held responsible for the consequences of war.
Contributed by Skyler T. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@abyssalable
Amazing band since the 80's !!!
@whiteheat7610
The Last Drive have to be listened to LOOOUUD. That's what they were: Loud, fast, uncontrolled.
@spartanprometheus8309
Holy war!!!τι κομματαρα ειναι αυτη!!!
@mysterytrain14
Ain' t no cure baby,ain' t no therapy at all ....Κομματάραααααααα !!!!
@panplar
Κατά την γνώμη μου από τα πιο ωραία κομμάτια τους !!!! Holy war rules!!!!!!!!😇😈