Hamakor (band)

Hamakor (Hebrew: המקור‎, "the source"; often typeset as haMakor and häMAKOR) is an American-Israeli Jewish rock band from Mevo Modi'im. They were formed in 2006 by lead singer Nachman Solomon, and have released two albums, The Source (2007) and World On Its Side (2010).

History

Origins (2006-2007)

Lead singer and founder Nachman Solomon grew up in Mevo Modi'im, a communal village founded by the late Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. He is the son of Diaspora Yeshiva Band violinist and founding member Ben Zion Solomon, while his brothers Noah, Yehuda, Meir, and Yosef formed the influential Jewish rock bands Moshav Band and Soulfarm. Nachman performed with his family regularly from a young age.^[1]

Hamakor was formed at Mevo Modi'im in January 2006 by Solomon and lead guitarist Lazer Grunwald, although the latter was replaced with Yakir Hyman after he moved to the United States a few months later.^[2][3][4] During the bands first year together, they opened for Moshav Band and Aharit Hayamim and became monthly fixtures at the local Mike's Place.^[3]

The Source (2007-2010)

After a brief US tour, Hamakor began recording their debut album, The Source, in the winter of 2006-07. Midway through recording, Hyman was drafted into the Israel Defense Forces and was replaced with Jason Reich for the rest of the album. Around this time, the band also acquired keyboardist Ben Frimmer, formerly of the American band Signal Path, as well as bassist Jonathan Fialka and drummer Jono Landon.^[2] The album was released on May 11, 2007. Near the end of the year, the band was recruited for a 10-city tour of Poland by the country's Chief Rabbi Michael Schudrich.^[1]

World On Its Side (2010-present)

The band released their second album, World On Its Side, on July 20, 2010. By this time, the band had acquired guitarist Bruce Burger, a solo artist under the name RebbeSoul, as well as keyboardist Gavriel Saks, bassist Yosef Solomon, formerly of Moshav Band, and drummer Eliezer Grundman. The album spawned two singles, "Illusion" and "Memories".

After a period of inactivity, the band resurfaced in 2014 with the Solomon brothers accompanied by guitarist Ben Katz, keyboardist Mendy Portnoy, and drummer Chemy Soibelman, formerly of The Groggers. The band released a single, "Lift Me Up", and announced plans for a third album of the same name.^[5]

Musical style

Hamakor plays a mix of grunge, trance fusion, folk, and classic rock music with Hebrew and English lyrics.^[1] Band members have cited influences from Pearl Jam, Phish, and Disco Biscuits.^[6] Lead singer Nachman Solomon's songwriting is influenced by funk, reggae, jam band, and blues music,^[3][5] and the group's concerts will often feature covers of The Who and The Grateful Dead, as well as Jewish artists like Shlomo Carlebach.^[1] Although many of Hamakor's lyrics are religious-themed, Solomon has argued that non-Jews can also enjoy their music, saying, "The words are meaningful and spiritual, but we don't play mostly songs based on biblical verses".^[3]

Members

• Nachman Solomon – lead vocals, rhythm guitar
• Ben Katz – lead guitar, vocals
• Yosef Solomon – bass guitar, vocals
• Chemy Soibelman – drums

Former members

• Mendy Portnoy – keyboards
• Ben Frimmer – keyboards, synths
• Jonathan Fialko – bass guitar
• Lazer Grunwald – guitar
• Bruce Burger – lead guitar
• Jason Reich – lead guitar
• Gavriel Saks – keyboards, vocals
• Eliezer Grundman – drums
• Jono Landon – drums
• Yakir Hyman – guitar
• Zecharia Reich – bass

Discography

Albums

• The Source (2007)
• World On Its Side (2010)
• Lift Me Up (TBA)

Singles

• "Illusion" (2010; World On Its Side)
• "Memories" (2011; World On Its Side)
• "Lift Me Up" (2014; Lift Me Up)

References