IRIS (Romanian band)
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| IRIS | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Bucharest |
| Country | Romanian |
| Years active | 1977 - present |
| Genres | Hard Rock |
| Labels | Zone Records |
| Members | Cristian Minculescu Valter Popa Doru "Boro" Borobeică Ion "Nelu" Dumitrescu |
| Website(s) | www.rockmania.net/iris/ |
IRIS is a Romanian hard rock band. It was established in 1977 by Ion Dumitrescu (drums), Olteanu (lead solo guitar and vocals) and Emil Lechinţeanu (bass guitar). They achieved huge success, followed by tours throughout Romania and recordings for radio broadcast and is one of the best Romanian rock bands. In 2006, IRIS had been nominated at MTV Romanian Music Awards for Best Band, Best Rock and Best Live Act and won Best Rock.
Contents |
[edit] History
The story of IRIS began in 1977 with Nutu Olteanu, Emil Lechiteanu, Nelu Dumitrescu. Through the years, the band has experienced many line-up changes.
In 29 years of activity, IRIS became one the best names in Romanian music history. At the beginning of the 1980s, the pair Cristi Minculescu - Nelu Dumitrescu, who resist until today's line-up, played with Nutu Olteanu (guitar), Florin Ochescu (guitar) and Marty Popescu (bass guitar). Together they released a debut-album (IRIS I), witch included songs that became some of the best rock songs of Romania: Doar Pentru Voi (Only for You), Trenul Fără Nas (The Train without Ticket-collector), Pe Ape (On Water), Cei Ce Vor Fi (The Ones to Come).
In 1987 IRIS II was released with an extravagant cover for those times during the communist regim, a cover who represented one of Cristi's idols, Angus Young, "in action". The band's line-up was Cristi Minculescu (vocal), Nelu Dumitrescu (drums), Mihai Alexandru (solo guitar, vocal) and Doru "Boro" Borobeica (bass guitar). On this album, notable songs included: Strada Ta (Your Street), În Parc (In the Park), Zi Si Noapte (Day and Night).
One year later, IRIS released its third album, called Nu Te Opri (Don't Stop), recorded with the same line-up as IRIS II. The Disc contained 8 tracks, but the most important are Floare De Iris (Iris Flower), Uită Tot Ce-a Fost (Forget all that was), Eu Şi Cu Tine (Me and You), Ploaia De Vise (The Rain of Dreams).
In December 1989, (when the Romanian anti-communist revolution started) IRIS recorded in Tomis Studio the album IRIS IV, without Mihai Alexandru, but with Cristi, Nutu, Boro and Valter. The hits from this album are: De Ce Oare Ai Plecat? (Why Did You Leave Me?), Vino Iar (Come Again), Rock And Roll, Cine Mă Strigă În Noapte? (Who Is Calling Me in the Night?).
In 1992, IRIS held an anniversary concert, called IRIS 15 ANI (IRIS 15 years), at Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest in front of 10,000 people. This was a record audience for a Romanian band, unequalled since that time. That same year, at the Cannes Festival, IRIS won second place in the rock section and MTV interviewed them.
The 5th Iris album was named 1993 and was recorded with the same line-up as IRIS IV, but with one more guitarist, Dan Alex Sârbu. This disc contains 3 dedications: Harley Davidson (for Marco), Valuri (for Adrian Ilie), Iris Nu Pleca (for Roberta). IRIS played in Italy and in the Malboro Tour, in the big cities of Romania. In July 1996, following Dorian Ciubuc's idea, IRIS signed a contract with Polygram for 6 years. In this time, IRIS recorded 6 albums.
In October 1998 they released Mirage, an album with an union of tracks and excellent orchestration, with the help of Mihai Godoroja (as co-author of tracks).
On 17 October 1997 IRIS celebrated 20 years of existence with a concert at Sala Polivalenta in Bucharest. At the anniversary concert, active members of IRIS and former members delighted the audience. For over 2 hours and 30 minutes in front of 5000 people they played songs like: "Corabia cu pînze", "Floare de Iris", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranţa", "De ce oare ai plecat?", "Sa nu crezi nimic", "Baby, Baby".
Three weeks late after the 20 years concert Iris released "20 DE ANI" (20 years). The album has 13 tracks, from the live concert, like "Pamîntul îl cuprind", "Călătorul", "Trenul fără nas", "Speranta", "Iris, nu pleca", "Pe ape", "Mirage", "Cine ma striga în noapte", "Valuri", "Floare de iris", "Tot zbor", "Baby", "Somn bizar".
In 2000, the biggest concert of a Romanian band is organised, the mega-tour ATHENAEUM and the album with the same name. Two years later, the first DVD of an Romanian band, DIGITAL ATHENAEUM, which has recordings from concerts during the history, was released.
After this performance, the band only got better. The "IRIS 25 Years" concert gathered thousands in the biggest concert hall in the country. The next album, "Matase Alba" (White Silk) featured unbelievable ballads, such as "Iubire fara de sfarsit" (Endless Love) and a cover version of "Lady in Black" by Uriah Heep, sang with them, which won an MTV Music Award. This album was followed by "4Motion" and, in 2005, by one of their best albums, "Iris Maxima". The most special love song on "Iris Maxima" is "Vino pentru totdeauna" (Come back for always).
[edit] Line-ups
[edit] Present members
The present members are:
- Cristian Minculescu (vocals)
- Valter Popa (guitar)
- Doru "Boro" Borobeica (bass)
- Ion "Nelu" Dumitrescu (drums)
- Relu Marian (keyboard) - the latest member
[edit] Past members
The past members are:
- Nutu Olteanu (guitar)
- Emil Lechiteanu (bass guitar)
- Florin Ochescu (guitar)
- Marty Popescu (bass guitar)
- Adrian Ilie
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
- IRIS (1984)
- II (1987)
- Nu Te Opri! ("Don't Stop!") (1988)
- IRIS IV (1990)
- 1993 (1993)
- Luna Plina ("Full Moon") (1996)
- Mirage (1998)
- (EP) Casino (1998)
- 2000 (1999)
- Matase Alba ("White Silk") (2002)
- I.R.I.S. 4MOTION (4 CD Box Set) (2003)
- MAXIMA (2005)
[edit] Live albums
- 1998 - IRIS 20 de ani (IRIS 20 years)
- 2000 - Athenaevm I
- 2000 - Athenaevm II
[edit] Compilation
- 1994 - The Best of IRIS (compilation)
[edit] DVDs
- 2002 - Athenaeum
[edit] Awards
- 2006 - MTV Romanian Music Awards - Best Rock
