IRIS (Romanian band)

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IRIS in 2002
Background information
Origin	Bucharest, Romania
Genre(s)	Hard Rock Melodic Hard Rock / Metal Heavy Metal Speed Metal Progressive Rock (first years)
Years active	1977 - present
Label(s)	Electrecord (1977 - 1996) Zone Records (1996 - 2006) Roton (2006 - present)
Website	www.rockmania.net/iris/
Members
Cristi Minculescu Valter Popa Doru "Boro" Borobeică Nelu Dumitrescu Relu Marin

IRIS is a Romanian hard rock band. It was established in 1977 by Ioan Dumitrescu (drums), Ion 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 1 History 2 Line-ups 2.1 Present members 2.2 Past members 3 Discography 3.1 Studio albums 3.2 EPs 3.3 Live albums 3.4 Compilation 3.5 DVDs 3.6 Books 4 Awards 5 External links

[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 regime, a cover who represented one of Cristi's idols, Angus Young, "in action". The band's line-up was Cristian 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 of the band are:

1. Cristi Minculescu - lead vocals (since January, 1980)
2. Valter Popa - lead and rhythm guitar, backing vocals (since February, 1986)
3. Doru "Boro" Borobeică - bass guitar, backing vocals (since November, 1984)
4. Nelu Dumitrescu - drums, percussion, backing vocals (since 1977 - founding member)
5. Relu Marin - keyboards, backing vocals (since 2005 - the latest member)

[edit] Past members

The most important past members are:

1. Nutu Olteanu - guitar, vocals (1977-1980, 1981-1986)
2. Emil Lechinteanu - bass guitar (1977-1978)
3. Sorin Chifiriuc - bass guitar, guitar, vocals (1978-1979)
4. Lucian Chivu - lead vocals (1978-1979)
5. Marty Popescu - bass guitar (1978-1979, 1981-1984)
6. Anton Hasias - bass guitar (1980-1981)
7. Adrian Ilie - guitar (1980-1982, 1984-1985)
8. Niky Dinescu - drums (1981)
9. Florin Ochescu - guitar (1982-1984)
10. Dan Bittman - lead vocals (1984-1985)
11. Bogdan Stanescu - guitar (1985)
12. Mihai Alexandru - guitar (1986-1988)
13. Manuel Savu - guitar (1989-1990)
14. Dan Alex Sarbu - guitar (1990-1994)

[edit] Discography

[edit] Studio albums

Cover	Information
	Iris Release date: 1984 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Doar pentru voi” (“Only for You”); “Trenul fără naş” (“The Train without Its Master”); “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “La popas” (“At the Halt”); “Cei ce vor fi” (“Those Who Will Be”); “Spre ziuă” (“To the Dawn”); “Noaptea” (“The Night”); “Iris”
	Iris II Release date: 1987 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Tot zbor” (“Still Flying”); “Doar amintirea” (“Only the Memory”); “Strada ta” (“Your Street”); “Frumuseţea ta” (“Your Beauty”); “Ultima toamnă” (“The Last Autumn”); “Lumea vrea pace” (“The World Wants Peace”); “În parc” (“In the Park”); “Zi şi noapte” (“Day and Night”)
	Iris III - Nu te opri! (Iris III - Don't Stop!) Release date: 1988 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Viaţa e totul” (“Life Is Everything”); “Uită tot ce-a fost” (“Forget All That Was”); “Floarea de Iris” (“Iris Flower”); “Bolta nopţii” (“The Vault of Night”); “Eu şi cu tine” (“Me with You”); “Ploaia de vise” (“The Rain of Dreams”); “Ore târzii” (“Late Hours”); “Nu te opri” (“Don't Stop”)
	Iris IV Release date: 1990 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Totul sau nimic” (“Everything or Nothing”); “De ce oare ai plecat?” (“Why Did You Go Away?”); “Vino iar” (“Come Again”); “Rock and Roll”; “Tu, doar tu” (“You, Only You”); “Cine mă strigă în noapte?” (“Who's Calling Me in the Night?”); “Speranţa mea” (“My Hope”); “Lumea toată e a mea” (“All the World Is Mine”)
	Iris 1993 Release date: 1993 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Harley-Davidson”; “Suflete de gheaţă” (“Ice Souls”); “O lume nebună” (“A Crazy World”); “Valuri” (“Waves”); “Sabia dreptăţii” (“Justice Sword”); “Cowboy”; “Honey”; “Iris, nu pleca” (“Iris, Don't Go Away”); “Pentru fani” (“For the Fans”)
	Lună plină (Full Moon) Release date: 1996 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Lună plină” (“Full Moon”); “Somn bizar” (“Bizzare Sleep”); “Călătorul” (“The Traveller”); “Baby”; “Demagogi” (“Demagogues”); “Nu vor” (“They Don't Want”); “Nu vor (să meargă pe sârmă)” (“They Don't Want (to Walk on the Wire)”); “Ultimul mic dejun al lui Bon” (“Bon's Last Breakfast”); “Omul nimeni” (“Nobody Man”); “Să nu crezi nimic” (“Don't Believe a Word” - Thin Lizzy Cover); “O viaţă de om” (“A Human Life”); “Nopţile ce le-ai avut” (“The Nights That You Had”); “Vis pierdut” (“Lost Dream”); “Don't Believe a Word” (Thin Lizzy Cover)
	Mirage Release date: 1998 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Mirage”; “Orange”; “Madrigal”; “Dulce şi amar” (“Sweet and Bitter”); “Sun Ra”; “Dieta” (“The Diet”); “E prea de tot” (“It's Too Much”); “Destul cu mine” (“Enough with Me”); “Apă vie” (“Alive Water”); “După miezul nopţii” (“After Midnight”); “Nu pot să cred” (“I Can't Believe”); “Linişte şi insomnie” (“Silence and Insomnia”)
	Iris 2000 Release date: 1999 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Virus”; “My Generation” (The Who Cover); “Strada ta” (“Your Street”); “Casino”; “Ne dă la radio” (“They Play Us on the Radio”); “Steaua mea” (“My Star”); “Doar ce vrei” (“Only What You Want”); “De unde vii...” (“Where Do You Come From...”); “Amândoi” (“Both”); “Ultima toamnă” (“The Last Autumn”); “Deşertul amintirilor” (“Memories Desert”); “Floare de Iris” (“Iris Flower”); “Strada ta (edit version)” (“Your Street (edit version)”); “Ne dă la radio (edit version)” (“They Play Us on the Radio (edit version)”); “Tot ce-a fost...” (“All That Was...”)
	Mătase albă (White Silk) Release date: 2002 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Sonet de început” (“Beginning Sonnet”); “Da, da, eu ştiu!” (“Oh, Yes, I Know!”); “Nu mă uita!” (“Don't Forget Me!”); “Marea ochilor tăi” (“Your Eyes Sea”); “De vină eşti tu!” (“It's Your Fault!”); “Un cer pentru doi” (“A Sky for Two”); “Lumina zilei” (“Day Light”); “Corabia cu pânze” (“The Ship with Sails”); “Mătase albă” (“White Silk”); “Noi (şi milioane de motive de a rămâne împreună)” (“Us (and Million of Reasons to Remain Togheter)”); “Domnul X” (“Mister X”); “O iubire fără de sfârşit” (“A Endless Love”); “Ia-ţi adio!” (“Say Goodbye!”); “Doamna în negru” (“Lady in Black” - featuring Mick Box and Bernie Shaw - Uriah Heep Cover)
	I.R.I.S. 4Motion (4 CD Box Set) Release date: 2003 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Hei, tu!” (“Hey, You!”); “Vino cu mine” (“Come with Me”) NELU I.NVINGĂTOR: “Tot zbor” (“Still Flying”); “Adoraţie nocturnă” (“Night Worship”); “Spre ziuă” (“To the Dawn”); “Doar amintirea” (“Only the Memory”); “Totul sau nimic” (“Everything or Nothing”); “Zi şi noapte” (“Day and Night”); “Peter Gunn” (Henry Mancini Cover); “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” (Jimi Hendrix Experience Cover) VALTER R.EALIST: “Preludiu” (“Prelude”); “Departe de tine” (“Far Away of You”); “Mistreated” (Deep Purple Cover); “De ce oare ai plecat?” (“Why Did You Go Away?”); “4 Motion”; “Vise” (“Dreams”); “Epilog” (“Epilogue”) BORO I.NOVATOR: “Doar un sărut” (“Only a Kiss”); “A fost odată” (“It Happened One Time Ago”); “Până la capăt” (“Till the End”); “Mai rămâi” (“Still Remain”); “Pentru ea” (“For Her”); “Salomeea”; “Gugulandia” CRISTI S.ENTIMENTAL: “Uită tot ce-a fost” (“Forget All That Was”); “În parc” (“In the Park”); “Eu aş vrea” (“I'd Want” - Whitesnake Cover); “Un cer pentru doi (recitativ)” (“A Sky for Two (recited)”); “Un cer pentru doi” (“A Sky for Two”); “Eu şi cu tine” (“Me with You”); “Iris, nu pleca” (“Iris, Don't Go Away”); “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “Strada ta” (“Your Street”)
	Iris Maxima Release date: 2005 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Iris Maxima”; “Zi de zi” (“Day by Day”); “Vino pentru totdeauna” (“Come Back for Always”); “Ziua care va veni” (“The Day that Will Come”); “Vals” (“Valse”); “Saray”; “Appassionata”; “Oglinda vieţii” (“Life's Mirror”); “Omul ce-mi aduce ploaia” (“The Man that Brings Me the Rain”); “După-amiaza unui cântec” (“One Song's Afternoon”); “Nu te mai cred” (“I Don't Believe You Anymore”); “Erată” (“Errata”); “Vals fără de sfârşit” (“Endless Valse”)
	TBA (2 CD Box Set) Release date: 2007 Label: Roton A double-disc album with 28 new songs (as the band's vocalist Cristi Minculescu declared in an interview). This new album will be released just before Iris 30 Years anniversary concert which will be held in Bucharest on August 31st, 2007.

[edit] EPs

Cover	Information
	Casino Release date: 1999 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Casino”; “Casino Calcutta”; “Virus”; “Jailbreak” (Thin Lizzy Cover); “Whole Lotta Love” (“Led Zeppelin Cover”); “Feel Like Makin' Love” (“Bad Company Cover”)
	De vei pleca (If You'd Go Away) Release date: 2000 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “De vei pleca” (“If You'd Go Away” - Whitesnake Cover); “Baby”; “De vei pleca (radio edit)” (“If You'd Go Away (radio edit)”); “You Shook Me” (Led Zeppelin Cover); “D'yer Mak'er” (Led Zeppelin Cover); “Doar ce vrei” (“Only What You Want”); “Să nu crezi nimic” (“Don't Believe a Word” - Thin Lizzy Cover)
	Da, da, eu ştiu! (Oh, Yes, I Know!) Release date: 2002 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Da, da, eu ştiu!” (“Oh, Yes, I Know!”); “Lumina zilei” (“Day Light”); “Intro”; “Nu vor” (“They Don't Want”); “Neluminat (solo baterie)” (“Unlighted (drum solo)”); “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “Floare de Iris” (“Iris Flower”)

[edit] Live albums

Cover	Information
	Iris 20 de ani (Iris 20 Years) Release date: 1997 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Pământul îl cuprind” (“I Comprehend the Earth”); “Călătorul” (“The Traveller”); “Trenul fără naş” (“The Train without Its Master”); “Speranţa” (“The Hope”); “Iris, nu pleca” (“Iris, Don't Go Away”); “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “Mirage”; “Cine mă strigă în noapte?” (“Who's Calling Me in the Night?”); “Valuri” (“Waves”); “Floare de Iris” (“Iris Flower”); “Tot zbor” (“Still Flying”); “Baby”; “Somn bizar” (“Bizzare Sleep”)
	Athenaeum I Release date: 2000 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Uvertura (varianta de studio)” (“Overture (studio version)”); “Trenul fără naş” (“The Train without Its Master”); “Ultimul mic dejun al lui Bon” (“Bon's Last Breakfast”); “Vis pierdut” (“Lost Dream”); “Floare de Iris” (“Iris Flower”); “Baby”; “Ultima toamnă” (“The Last Autumn”); “Soldier of Fortune” (Deep Purple Cover); “Nu vor/Somn bizar” (“They Don't Want/Bizzare Sleep”); “Adaggio” (Tomaso Albinoni Cover); “Somn bizar” (“Bizzare Sleep”); “De vei pleca (varianta TV - acustică)” (“If You'd Go Away (TV acoustic version)” - Whitesnake Cover)
	Athenaeum II Release date: 2000 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “Să nu crezi nimic” (“Don't Believe a Word” - Thin Lizzy Cover); “De vei pleca” (“If You'd Go Away” - Whitesnake Cover); “Casino”; “Salomeea”; “Bolero/Rhythm Fiesta”; “Love of My Life” (Queen Cover); “Să nu crezi nimic (varianta simfonică, de studio)” (“Don't Believe a Word (symphonic studio version)”); “Ultimul mic dejun al lui Bon (varianta simfonică, de studio)” (“Bon's Last Breakfast (symphonic studio version)”)

[edit] Compilation

Cover

Information

The Best of Iris Release date: 1993 Label: Electrecord Track listing: “Totul sau nimic” (“Everything or Nothing”); “De ce oare ai plecat?” (“Why Did You Go Away?”); “Vino iar” (“Come Again”); “Tu, doar tu” (“You, Only You”); “Cine mă strigă în noapte?” (“Who's Calling Me in the Night?”); “Speranţa mea” (“My Hope”); “Lumea toată e a mea” (“All the World Is Mine”); “Doar pentru voi” (“Only for You”); “Trenul fără naş” (“The Train without Its Master”); “Pe ape” (“On the Water”); “La popas” (“At the Halt”); “Cei ce vor fi” (“Those Who Will Be”); “Spre ziuă” (“To the Dawn”); “Noaptea” (“The Night”); “Iris”

[edit] DVDs

Cover

Information

Digital Athenaeum Release date: 2001 Label: Zone Records Track listing: “Uvertura” (“Overture”); “Trenul fără naş” (“The Train without Its Master”); “Să nu crezi nimic” (“Don't Believe a Word” - Thin Lizzy Cover); “Casino”; “Floare de Iris” (“Iris Flower”); “Vis pierdut” (“Lost Dream”); “Salomeea”; “Soldier of Fortune” (Deep Purple Cover); “Bolero/Rhythm Fiesta”; “Baby”; “Ultima toamnă” (“The Last Autumn”); “De vei pleca” (“If You'd Go Away” - Whitesnake Cover); “Nu vor” (“They Don't Want”); “Somn bizar” (“Bizzare Sleep”); “Difficult to Cure/Odă bucuriei” (“Difficult to Cure/Ode to Joy” - Beethoveen's Ninth); Interviu I-IV (Interview I-IV)

[edit] Books

Cover	Information
	Iris - Spectacolul abia începe (Iris - The Show Is Just Beginning) Release date: 2003 Publisher: Humanitas Collection: Muzzak Author: Miron Ghiu Caia

[edit] Awards

• 2006 - MTV Romanian Music Awards - Best Rock

[edit] External links

• IRIS fansite
• IRIS other fansite