Mofa Ha'arnavot Shel Dr. Kasper
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Mofa Ha'arnavot Shel Dr. Kasper (translation: Dr. Kasper's Rabbits Show, Hebrew: מופע הארנבות של ד"ר קספר) is an Israeli rock band that operated in the years 1991–1996. It is part of the wave of Israeli rock bands that started in the beginning of the 1990s, including Knesiyat Hasekhel and Ziknei Tzfat. Their music style is upbeat grunge funky rock influenced by band like Red Hot Chili Peppers and the Rolling Stones, and they describe themselves as the first generation of musicians influenced by MTV — in terms of both music and performance.
Their line-up features Shai Lahav from Tiberias (vocals and keys), Oren Brazily from Holon (vocals and guitar), Tzvika Cohen from Moshav Lachis (drums) and Itzik Reisenberg from Ramat HaSharon (bassist) who was replaced by Shy Nobleman.
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[edit] History
It all began when Shay Lahav got an offer to perform in a small pub in Tel Aviv called "Hawaliya Hashnia". He teamed up with guitarist Oren Brazilay, then 16.5 years old, and together they created 7 songs in 10 days for their Cabaret-style performance. With the bass, drums and keys programed by Shay on his computer, the band made a small group of loyal fans and also got their manager, Dudi Levi, who saw their potential. He insisted on signing a bassist, Itzik Reisenberg and, after trying several drummers, Tzvika Cohen also joined the band. Their popularity grew, much thanks to their wild, unique show, which included flannel shirts, black stripes under the eyes, costumes, Brazilay stripping down to underwear with a rabbit sewed on to it and general chaos on stage.
In summer 1993 the band's first, self-titled album came out, mostly based on songs from the performance. It was an immediate success, with songs like a rock cover for an old classic troops entertainment group song. They toured all over the country, played over 200 performances and were chased by hundreds of fans. By the end of the summer, the band was exhausted and decided to take a break — a month long trip to New York and California.
In 1994, their second, self-titled album came out. It was different then its predecessor: slower, heavier, a bit psychedelic, a result of the member's confused state of mind after the big success. The album depicts what goes on in the mind of a girl named Shila, while experiencing a trip, and the different stages she goes through. It was a commercial failure and soon came off the racks.
The group decided to return to their old, fun, light sound in the third album. It came out in 1995, with many potential hits and upbeat songs. Surprisingly, it too failed. The "Golden Era" of Israeli rock was over, the band blamed the poor publicity, though several years later some of the songs from this album became Israeli rock classics. Itzik, the bassist, became more religious and stopped performing on Saturdays. Soon he was replaced altogether by Shy Nobleman, and soon the band came apart.
In 2004, they reunited in a short tour and again in 2005. That same year they released a live album of one of the performances.
[edit] And today?
[edit] Oren Brazilay
The guitarist joined a band named Norma Gin, which recorded a few tracks but never released them. He came to New York, back to anonymity. He started a band called The Sugar Lights, but gradually fell in love with rap music, learned sound engineering and worked in Def Jam Recordings for half a year. He is currently the musical producer of several hip hop artists from Brooklyn, and a member of the band BenLaVain.
[edit] Shay Lahav
After a long break, Lahav returned to the music industry as the producer and songwriter of the successful Israeli boy-band High Five. In 2004, he recorded a solo album and went on a tour, performing some of Kasper's old songs with Brazilay.
[edit] Tzvika Cohen
Cohen currently runs a hotel in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A..
[edit] Itzik Reisenberg
Now an Orthodox Jew, Reisenberg continues to write songs and play, but only as a hobby, with an option to record some of his songs.
[edit] Discography
- Mofa Haarnavot Shel Dr Kasper (1993)
- Mofa Haarnavot Shel Dr Kasper 2 (1994)
- Ho Ho (1995)
- Mofa Haarnavot Shel Dr Kasper Live (2005)
