Andy ‘the riff’ Socratous – ‘the first Greek punk rocker’

A MUSICIAN who spent his youth on Islington’s punk scene is set to appear alongside Suggs from Madness, Mike Scott from The Waterboys and Josephine Wiggs from The Breeders in a book raising money for Ukraine.

Andy “the riff” Socratous, 65, who grew up and lives on Finsbury Estate, stakes a claim to being “the first Greek punk rocker” having been a guitarist in The Dark.

The band was formed by Kingsway College students in 1978 and rehearsed at The Mitre pub in Angel, performing in Islington venues including the Hope and Anchor and the Pied Bull. The band spent five chaotic years touring the country before they split unceremoniously in 1983.

A self-taught guitarist, Mr Socratous decided to change his name to “The Riff” because he felt his Greek surname didn’t “fit” the punk scene.

He has written a chapter for Punks Listen, an upcoming book of essays raising money for the Red Cross Ukraine refugee appeal. Other chapters will be written by Black Flag frontman Henry Rollins and Kevin Godley of 10cc. Each contributor has been asked to reflect on their favourite records.

Punks Listen is published in September.