Bambir

Last updated

Bambir
Origin Gyumri, Armenia
Genres rock, folk rock, Ethnic rock
Years active1978–present
Website bambir.band

Bambir is an Armenian rock band from Gyumri. Spanning 4 decades and with more than 50 musicians passing through its ranks, the band has moved into its second generation- as in, sons of the original members are operating as a separate four-piece that is still part of the original ensemble.

Contents

Founded by Jag Barseghyan in the 1970s in Gyumri, Armenia, Bambir was lauded as one of the best rock groups in the Soviet Union, performing original material, traditional Armenian songs, and modern arrangements of Komitas and medieval Armenian music. Today, Jag Barseghyan records solo albums, ensemble albums, and performs with original members of The Bambir and other international musicians. In 1982 Bambir won the Folk Music Award at the International Festival in Lida, Belarus. They celebrated their 20th anniversary in Moscow in 1998 and in Gyumri at their first Biennial. On their 30th anniversary, they released Armenian Scotch, [1] an album dedicated to the 140th anniversary of Hovhannes Tumanyan and the 250th anniversary of Robert Burns.

A separate but connected four-piece rock band The Bambir (Progressive Ethnic Rock'n'Roll) formed in Gyumri later in 1994, by Narek Barseghyan (son of Jag), Arman Kocharyan, Arik Grigoryan and Vardan Paremuzyan. While they started playing together in Armenia, they've earned a reputation in Russia, France, the United States, Turkey, Georgia, Lebanon, Poland and beyond. They were based in Ireland in 2012 and toured in the United States in 2016-2017.

They write and perform their own music written by Narek and Arik, and are known for their vibrant stage presence in their live shows and unique sound.

Early history

In the sixties Jag began traveling to the city of Gyumri, traditionally Armenia's city of arts and one of the cultural centers of the Soviet Union. While there weren't many people listening to rock music in Yerevan at the time, an underground scene seemed to be thriving in Gyumri. It was there that he began to find like-minded individuals and appreciators of the music he loved. He started jamming with Robert Kocharyan (not the former Armenian president) on bass, Suren Martirosyan on guitar, and Levon "Watts" Nouroyan on drums, calling themselves Angin Qarer ("precious stones", in the Armenian language), playing hard rock. They soon morphed into their folk "bard rock" style, arranging pieces by Komitas and moving on to their own original material, changing their name to Bambir. Performances and many albums followed and they toured Armenia, Russia, Europe and the United States. Members of the original band reunite for special concerts, and Jag continues to actively record and collaborate with local and international artists.

He has been awarded by the Armenian Ministry of Culture for his achievements in Contemporary Armenian Music.

Second Generation

Narek (son of Jag) and Arman (son of Robert Kocharyan, an original member of "Angin Qarer"), friends since birth, grew up in Gyumri in the creative environment built by their fathers and community. [2] They picked up the guitar and bass at a very young age. They met Arik (flute) when they were nine years old, and their trio began jamming and performing on their own. In 1999-2000 they travelled to Los Angeles and New York, and even recorded an album (never released) in California but had to return to Armenia, and school. Ashot Korganyan joined them on drums in 2001. As the boys grew up in Gyumri they became better musicians and started playing more and more. The four-piece returned to Los Angeles in 2007, and Ashot left the band upon their return. That same year, the now trio travelled to Shoushi in Artsakh for a music festival and Narek, Arman, and Arik met Vardan, originally from Vanadzor, Lori region. They continue to work with Jag.

The band's notoriety grew as they finished university and continued to gig, and they started to attract international attention. They played in Moscow, Paris, Istanbul, Beirut, Tbilisi, and all over Armenia, placing third in 2010's Eurovoice Competition in Athens. They made the decision to make a go of breaking into the European market, and moved to Dublin in January 2012. Their incredible musicianship and intense energy on-stage made them stand out immediately, and it wasn't long before they were booked for festivals like KnockanStockan, [3] No Place Like Dome, Body&Soul, [4] and Electric Picnic, as well as special events like launches and Tower Records' 19th birthday. [5] They became known for their relentless gigging, sometimes playing 3 shows/night- their final performances in Dublin, 2012 were on Arthur's Day when they played 3 times in The Mercantile, The Stag's Head, and The Sweeney Mongrel. [6] State called them "Ireland's hairiest and hardest working band," featuring them as part of their 2012 Electric Picnic coverage. [7] They appeared on Near FM, [8] Radio Nova 100FM (Ireland), Dublin City FM, and WDAR. While much of their live sets in Ireland are in English, they continue to perform and write songs in the Armenian language as well. [9]

They toured in the United States in 2016-2017 (Austin, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Washington,..) performing at SXSW and the notorious The Viper Room.

The band has recorded with international musicians like Dietmar Bonnen.

They write and perform their own music written by Narek and Arik, and are known for their vibrant stage presence in their live shows and unique sound.

From 2019, they’ve embraced the unique sound of Mar Margaryan’s qanun, reputed for her avant-garde way of playing and her diverse collaborations with notorious artists. Together they keep experimenting and revisiting Armenian folk.

Since 2017, Narek and Vardan have been playing as well as a power duo called “ Freedom is Expensive”.

Bambir Members

Present Members:

The Bambir Members (Second generation):

Past Members:

'Angin Qarer - "Priceless Stones

Discography and Releases

Bambir (Jag):

Recorded albums, EP sessions, Singles by The Bambir (Second generation):

Awards

Music videos

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The B-52s</span> American rock band

The B-52s, originally presented as the B-52's, are an American new wave band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1976. The original lineup consisted of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson, Ricky Wilson (guitar), and Keith Strickland. Ricky Wilson died of AIDS-related illness in 1985, and Strickland switched from drums to lead guitar. The band has also added various members for albums and live performances.

Armenian rock describes a wide variety of forms of rock music made in Armenia or by artists of Armenian descent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ektomorf</span> Hungarian metal band

Ektomorf is a Hungarian groove metal band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gyumri</span> City and urban community in Shirak, Armenia

Gyumri is an urban municipal community and the second-largest city in Armenia, serving as the administrative center of Shirak Province in the northwestern part of the country. By the end of the 19th century, when the city was known as Alexandropol, it became the largest city of Russian-ruled Eastern Armenia with a population above that of Yerevan. The city became renowned as a cultural hub, while also carrying significance as a major center of Russian troops during Russo-Turkish wars of the 19th century.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brownsville Station (band)</span> American rock band

Brownsville Station is an American rock band from Michigan popular in the 1970s. Original members included Cub Koda (guitarist/vocalist), Mike Lutz (guitarist/vocalist), T.J. Cronley (drummer), and Tony Driggins (bassist/vocals). Later members included Henry "H-Bomb" Weck (drummer) and Bruce Nazarian (guitarist/vocalist).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beast of Burden (song)</span> 1978 song by The Rolling Stones

"Beast of Burden" is a song by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, featured on the 1978 album Some Girls. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked the song No. 435 on their list of "The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time".

Arto Tunçboyacıyan is an Armenian American avant-garde folk and jazz multi-instrumentalist and singer of Armenian descent. He fronts his own group called the Armenian Navy Band, and is also a member of the instrumental quartet Night Ark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">If You Have to Ask</span> Song by Red Hot Chili Peppers

"If You Have to Ask" is a song by the Red Hot Chili Peppers from their 1991 studio album Blood Sugar Sex Magik. It was released as the album's fifth and final single in 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National Polytechnic University of Armenia</span> Public university in Yerevan, Armenia

The National Polytechnic University of Armenia is a technical university located in Yerevan, Armenia. Established as the Karl Marx Institute of Polytechnic in 1933, it provides educational and research programs in various fields of technology and science related to engineering. The university includes a central campus in Yerevan and branch campuses located in Gyumri, Vanadzor and Kapan. Currently there are more than 8,000 students and more than 750 faculty members.

Oaksenham is an electric and acoustic progressive rock band established in 2001. Oaksenham’s core consists of experienced musicians that have played in a range of influential Armenian rock bands: Vahagn Papayan and Ashot Korganyan from the same progressive band very popular in 1990s in Armenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gor Mkhitarian</span> Armenian singer and songwriter (born 1973)

Gor Mkhitarian is an Armenian singer and songwriter who started his musical career in Armenia. He immigrated to the United States and now is based in Los Angeles. In Armenia, he started with the rock formation Lav Eli. He developed his solo career starting in 2001 with a number of albums in various genres including pop, rock, and folk music. He sings both in English and Armenian.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arthur Meschian</span> Musical artist

Arthur (Artashes) Meschian is an Armenian architect, musician, composer, poet, singer and painter. He is also known as one of the founders of Armenian rock. He was the founder and the lead singer of Apostles, the first rock band performing songs in their native language in the history of the Soviet Union. He is the author of different architectural projects, including Guest House and the new building of Matenadaran in Armenia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hot Chelle Rae</span> American rock band

Hot Chelle Rae is an American pop rock band formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 2005. The band currently consists of Ryan Follesé, Nash Overstreet, and Jamie Follesé (drums). Their debut album, Lovesick Electric, was released on October 27, 2009. They gained widespread attention for their 2011 double platinum single, "Tonight Tonight". Another single, "I Like It Like That", peaked at No. 28 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Out of My Mind / Holy Water</span> 2011 single by WhoCares , (Ian Gillan, Tony Iommi & Friends)

"Out of My Mind" / "Holy Water" is a fund-raising two-track CD single from the supergroup WhoCares, a Tony Iommi and Ian Gillan collaboration, a direct continuation of the Rock Aid Armenia project. The CD contains the single "Out of My Mind" and the song "Holy Water" with the latter using the traditional Armenian instrument, the duduk by two Armenian musicians Arshak Sahakyan and Ara Gevorgyan. Both tracks of the CD were recorded at SARM Studios in Notting Hill, London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Jagger</span> English musician (born 1947)

Christopher Jagger is an English musician and actor. He is the younger brother of Mick Jagger, the frontman for the Rolling Stones.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dorians (band)</span> Armenian rock band

Dorians is an Armenian rock band founded in June 2008 by Vahagn Gevorgyan. In February 2009 the band participated at the first qualifying round of the international Eurovision Song Contest, which brought popularity to the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doom and Gloom</span> 2012 single by the Rolling Stones

"Doom and Gloom" is the lead single taken from GRRR!, the 50th anniversary compilation album by the Rolling Stones. It was premiered on BBC Radio 2 on 11 October 2012. The song's recording marked the first time that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood had been in the studio together for seven years, since completing their 2005 album A Bigger Bang. A lyric video was released on YouTube the same day.

Ashot Adamyan is an Armenian film and stage actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nemra (band)</span>

Nemra is an Armenian rock band established in 2012 in Yerevan. Led by songwriter Van Yeghiazaryan on vocals and guitar, Vaspur Yeghiazaryan on bass and backing vocals, keyboardist and backing vocalist Marianna Karakeyan, and drummer Marek Zaborski. The band’s music draws from the alternative and indie rock genres. They also perform cover versions of Armenian folk songs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Swallow Music Awards</span>

Swallow Music Awards is an annual national music awards ceremony first held in Yerevan, Armenia, on 25 March 2017. The awards are created and sponsored by RA Ministry of Culture to appreciate and spur the activities of individuals and creators of various genres of Armenian musical art, as well as to display the significant achievements in the field of music to the broader layers of society. The awards consist of four parts: achievements in classical genre, folk genre, mass pop genre, and special/other awards. During the ceremony artists are given the awards designed by Armenian painter and designer Arman Nur. Each year, the award ceremony airs live on Public Television company of Armenia.

References

  1. ↑ ARAJINLRATVAKAN. “Album Launch of Bambir’s Armenian Scotch” 1in.am. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  2. ↑ Kavanagh, Paul. “Some Words With The Bambir chewyourownfat.wordpress.com. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  3. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Knockanstockan: first acts revealed!" Hot Press. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  4. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "UPDATE: Body and Soul Festival" Hot Press. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  5. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Happy Birthday Tower" Hot Press. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  6. ↑ Hot Press News Desk. "Stag's Head Gears Up For Arthur's Day" Hot Press. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  7. ↑ White, Hilary A. "Electric Picnic '12: The Bambir" State.ie. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  8. ↑ near tv productions “Near FM Sessions- The Bambir- July 26th 2012” neartv.ie. Retrieved 5 December 2012.
  9. ↑ CIVILNET TV. “The Bambir have Returned” civilnet.am. Retrieved 5 December 2012.

10. http://www.allmusic.com/album/quake-mw0000670482

11. http://www.globalrhythm.net/WorldMusicCDReviews/MiddleEastNorthAfrica/BAMBIR.cfm

12. SXSW 2016. https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/music/2016-01-29/sxsw-list-no-5/

13. US Tour 2016

14. Mid West Music Fest 2016

15. RockWood Music Hall, New York 2016

16. Erevan Report 2017

17. Vnews 2018

18. The Armenian Weekly 2020

19. "Arev e Elel" Album Launch 2020 https://azat.tv/the-bambir-y-nerkayacrel-e-gzhi-harsaniq-steghcagorcutyuny/ https://168.am/2020/05/22/1306032.html

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.