Tzimis Panousis

Tzimis Panousis (also spelled Jimis, Greek: Τζίμης Πανούσης) is a Greek musician born in Athens (1954), where he has spent most of his life. He is married to Lili Achladioti and has one son named Aris.

Panousis made his first appearances in the 1980s. He appeared in various pubs in Athens and elsewhere while at the same time he prepared and published various disks. He first appeared with a group named "Musical Brigades" (in Greek), which also appeared under the name "Alamana's Bridge". In reality, in both groups Panoussis was the sole star- maybe this reason contributed to the final dissolution of the "Musical Brigades".

Artistic style

Since his first album, "Disco Tsoutsouni," Panousis promoted a controversial style of Greek rock music with humorous and sarcastic verses. His songs are acute commentaries of the political and social reality of Greece. In a similar fashion, in his live performances he combines sarcastic comments about actual events with ironic remarks about other Greek singers and musicians. He often interacts with his public, in a short of stand-up-comedy and he is well known for his love for pranks especially on the phone.

All this has contributed to the depiction of Panousis as a highly controversial artist. Some regard him as an aristophanic rock musician, while many consider that his pranks and commentaries are of bad taste. Panousis often uses offensive language, while the advertising posters of his shows are also always provocative. For instance, he once replaced the cross of the Greek flag by a hammer and sickle.

Other activities

Panousis also writes books (a peculiar type of sarcastic essays) and poetry. He has also appeared in various movies. The most notable is The Dracula of Exarcheia (1981, directed by Nicos Zervos), where Panousis is the protagonist.

External links

• Fan site, the most complete web site on Panousis and apart from information on his appearances, interviews, articles, samples of his books etc. It also disposes a large collection of photos.
• Greek website, inactive but still with valuable information
• Another site in Greek