The prince charming of Armenian pop - Armenian Reporter

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Elyssa Karanian.“Our parents were the first hippies in Armenia.”A legacy of rockrockThe boys of Bambircarry their musicforward with newvisionsby Elyssa KaranianYEREVAN – It’s hard to write astory about a band whose memberspossess such a cult of personalitythat no single angle seems todo them justice. They are young,idealistic, unbelievably talentedmusicians from Gyumri who grewup and into the art world on thewings of their parents. They arerepresentatives of the Caucasus,bridging the East and West withArmenian Reporter Arts & CultureCopyright © 2007 by Armenian Reporter llcAll Rights ReservedContact arts@reporter.am with announcementsTo advertise, write business@reporter.am or call 1-201-226-1995music, lyrics, and style. They carryon a thirty-year musical legacywith creativity and pride. Theyare progressive, unique, addictingpresences in their own right.The boysThe lead singer and songwriter ofBambir is Nareg Barseghyan – ananimated, wild-haired actor whooozes verve and intensity. Hisvoice is emotive and erratic, and asthe songs build, his passion seemsto escape from him in the formof verses yelled or whispered orlaughed out. When he glides intohis technically perfect guitar solos,he is like a sketch of a person thathas suddenly come together onstage in a full-color image of himselfand his music and ideas. Hemasters the crowd.flutist Arik Grigoryan brings awiry, feisty energy to the group.His flute and shvi melodies attimes evoke the smooth, traditionalArmenian sound, at timesthe manic abandon of JethroTull’s Ian Anderson, who is amonghis biggest influences as a musician.With him always front andcenter, it is easy to be drawn towatching his incalculable movements– arms flailing, holleringand howling, percussing on tambourines,maracas, or his cheek.In some ways Arman Kocharyanis an archetypal bass player – subduedand focused – but he is astriking and rare stage presenceOn page C1: Hayko, known for his serenity, has captured the heartsof fans through his good looks, romantic ballads, and unique senseof style. From his number-one-selling albums to Eurovision, Haykocontinues to be at the top of his game. See page C7.C2 Armenian Reporter Arts & Culture 11/10/2007
Far left: Nareg,Arman, and Arikin Shushi. Photo:Anush Babajanyan.Left above:Dressed up inhonor of JohnLennon’s birthday,the boys put on anamazing tributeshow of Beatles’covers. Left below:Playing in Gyumri,alongside originalBambir members,the band and itsmusic takes on adifferent feel.who commands attention. Hiseyes, entreating despite his broodingappearance, are never flighty.His fingers move over the stringsbeautifully and it is mesmerizingto watch as he feels the music andplays with a concentration so effortlessthat you want to jump intohis bass and become a part of it.Coming from musical, theatricalbackgrounds, the boys are armoredin natural and developedtalent that make them a joy towatch and listen to, on and offthe stage. Nareg grins coyly andtells me that they started to playin 1983. “I say it like that becausethat’s the year we were born, meand Arman,” he laughs. “We grewup on that Bambir style, youknow?”Revolutionary originsThe name Bambir is derived froma bow-stringed musical instrument(also called a qemani) thatis played much like a cello. ButNareg wasn’t referring to growingup on the style of this ancientfour-stringed instrument, nor washe talking about growing up onthe style of his own band. Bambiris more than an instrument andmore than a band – it is a musicalhistory, a legend of Armenian musicand revolutionary thought andaction. It’s a philosophy, a legacy,a culture all its own. It is rock inits element.In 1969, Angin Karer (PreciousStones), the first Armenian rockgroup of its kind, or perhaps atall, was formed in Gyumri, Armenia’ssecond-largest city, thenknown as Leninakan. Gagik “Jag”Barseghyan (nicknamed for hislove of the Rolling Stones) andRobert Kocharyan, fathers ofNareg and Arman, explored andexperimented with the arts, creatingmusic and performing intheatrical rock plays such as “Love,Jazz, Devil” (1976). “The combinationreally started somethingin the art world,” Nareg says, excitedly.“When they first startedto rehearse everyone was sayingno one would come to the showsor listen to the music because itwasn’t close to the Soviet peopleand problems of the time, butthen they did like four shows inone day. It was revolutionary.”Running with the momentumbuilt from their endeavors in thetheater, and after winning anaward at the International MusicFestival in Yerevan (1977), theyformed the group Bambir in 1978.Blending traditional Armeniancompositions, Celtic and medievalsacred sounds, and Western rockinfluences such as Jethro Tull andthe Beatles, this innovative bandsoon made a name for itself as oneof the best folk-rock bands in theSoviet Union.In 1978, when this first generationof Bambir started playing,they brought Western cultureto Armenia in a musical capacity.“They were playing regularconcerts in Gyumri at that time– covers,” Nareg reminisces. “Hearingthe Beatles from the stage, itwas just a phenomenal thing.”Perhaps too phenomenal for itsArmenian Reporter Arts & Culture 11/10/2007C3
Page 4 and 5: Above left: Armanand Arik sharea mi
Page 6 and 7: fucked up.” He pauses to catch up
Page 8 and 9: On his way up he has charmedfans wi
Page 10 and 11: Right: Hayko at aconcert in Yerevan
Page 12 and 13: Garbis Zobian in Dame de Prague (Gh
Page 14 and 15: My myrigKay Mouradianstoryby Kay Mo
Page 16 and 17: Naush Boghossian.Le Mur de LaPropri
Page 18 and 19: Fondation Carzou.Femme Devant lePor
Page 20 and 21: 12 November 13 November 14 November
Page 22 and 23: Lights, camera, ArmenianCelebrating

The prince charming of Armenian pop - Armenian Reporter

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