The Hellenic Sounds have been entertaining audiences in Southern California and the Western United States since 1969. Even though the members changed throughout the years, the spirit has remained the same.

The Band was originally created by members of the Hellenic Dancers group from Los Angeles.  The band included Steve Grafos on the keyboards, Vangeli on the clarinet and Jerry Gerard on the guitar and vocals.   At a later time Steve Bangos - drums, Lou Skoby - bouzoukee, Jim Hronas - bouzoukee & clarinet and John Papachristos - guitar and vocals  joined in as others members quit. The band with Grafos, Bangos, Skoby, Papachristos and Jim Hronas recorded their first album in 1979 with the title "Dance, Dance, Dance".  In 1980 John Papachristos quit the band and moved to Northen California.  Harry Chryssafis - a professional musician known to Skoby and Hronas - was asked in.    At about 1982, John Anastasopoulos - another pro currently again with the band - joined in. A few years later, Grafos retired followed by Hronas.  Then Anastasopoulos was taken from the Hellenic Sounds by Stratos Dionisiou and a new keybordist Mike Peters was hired. 

 However, it was not until 1987 when the band recorded again a new collection of Greek songs under the title "Mediterranean Breeze". The band remained with the same members - Lou Skoby, Harry Chryssafis, Mike Peters and Steve Bangos - for several years and produced a few more works.

In 1990 the album "1991 AD" came out featuring for the first time the first original song of the Hellenic Sounds written by Harry Chryssafis and Lou Skoby called "Salepitzis". Then, in 1991 the band released the first all-original collection of instrumental compositions with the title "Ellhniko Glenti" (Greek Festival).

In 1994 the Hellenic Sounds released their first Compact Disc (CD) called "ANTHOLOGY". This album was a collection of all the original instrumental compositions ever written by the band plus a few cover tunes. This CD had a great success and its music was featured on several TV shows such as "Genera Hospital" and "The Big Easy". It was also featured for a period of five years on the cable "Travel Show". A movie  called "Do You Wanna Dance" also features several songs from the same album.

At about 1992, Steve Bangos quit the band to pursue a career in Television.  Another pro - Dimitri Matsis - came in to take his place.   Dimitri - a very good and educated drummer - did not fit as it was hoped with the band and about a year later was replaced by Kosta Anastasiades.   Kosta, a true artist and a drummer of tremendous caliber brought new life and excitement to the Hellenic Sounds.    His drum solos were bringing the crowds to their feet while his sensitive and innovative paying enriched the entire music. In 1995, the Hellenic Sounds produced their first Live album on CD called "LIVE - Greek Festival II" featuring Kosta on the drums.

Unfortunately, a year after the "LIVE" album,  Mike Peters returned back to his native Massachusetts and Lou Skoby decided to retire.    Harry Chryssafis vowed to keep the band going. With only Kosta at his side, Harry brought in Dano and Papakosta on the keyboards and a female bouzoukee player - Vaso Dimitriou.    Vaso - a very good musician and player - helped tha band keep its edge for a couple of years.    But Kosta - due to unforseen reasons - had to returned to Greece and Vaso followed soon after.   Harry still vowed to make the band survive.    Lou Skoby returned to the band with a renewed interest and Lakis Tsangaris - a pro drummer with a great voice - also joined in.

It took a few years for the Hellenic Sounds to come back into the studio. The band consisting of Harry Chryssafis on bass and vocals, Lou Skoby on the bouzouki, Lakis Tsangaris on the drums and vocals and Dimitris Papakostas on the keyboards  again created a dazzling sound that surpassed in quality all previous ventures. Their new  album breaks all barriers and deals for the first time with the real nature of the band and its audience; The Greek American. This is a collection of songs with richly textured music and incredible lyrics devoted to the dreams, lives, loves and downfalls of Greek Americans. Also their infatuations with Las Vegas, Hollywood, the American freeways etc.

In January of  2002 Lakis decided to retire from the Hellenic Sounds and Steve Bangos came back in.   A few months later John Anastasopoulos voiced his interest to come back with the band and he replaced Dimitri Papakostas.  

At the beggining of 2004, John Anastasopoulos decided to move on and a new member - Yianni (John) Barakos joined the band. John, a strong professional bass player with long history in Greek music, brought with him a lot of vocal talent as well.  His addition moved Harry back to quitar playing and gave him new freedom to showcase his vocal and entertaiment abilities to the delight of all THS fans.

At the beggining of 2005, Lou Skoby decided once more that it was time to quit so he can better attend his new Pet business and family.  At the same time, Steve Bangos who was again in search of a new career, decided to take an opportunity to purchase a fast food resturant in Seward, Alaska and move there.  The Hellenic Sounds want to wish to both old and valued friends and band members Good Luck with the new endeavors. 

The New Hellenic Sounds now include new and old friends that make up a strong and professional group that can change in size and mixture to fit the particular event.  Lakis Tsangaris is back on the drums and vocals. Nontas Evangelatos is often providing the Bouzoukee front along with some excellent singing. Nick Nickols makes waves with his clarinet whereever he appears.  And dancers like the spectacular Dimitri Arambatzi also add to the experience when the situation calls it. These experienced artists with tremendous capabilities are working with Harry  to create a new and spectacular presense for the Hellenic Sounds that is guaranteed to entertain even more than any previous THS version!

The band at its current form seems to surpass in quality any previous ventures.   A tottaly new level of sound and entertainment has been reached making the band a "feature" act rather than a mere dancing band.  The band's commitment to music, sound and the US audience is stronger than ever.   Do not miss the opportunity to witness the new Hellenic Sounds. You are not going to be dissapointed....